Biological Hazards, Mould and Cytotoxic Substances SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, containment, cleaning, waste handling and close-out work involving biological hazards, mould and cytotoxic substances. It supports risk management by addressing contamination control, exposure pathways, protective equipment, ventilation and decontamination.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work, assess contamination and establish controls
• Set up exclusion, access, ventilation and equipment arrangements
• Don protective equipment and enter the controlled work zone
• Handle cytotoxic substances and manage spills
• Remove mould-contaminated materials and clean contaminated surfaces
• Manage contaminated waste, laundry and sharps
• Decontaminate workers, tools and equipment
• Inspect the area for residual contamination and clearance considerations
• Demobilise the work area and complete records

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out work involving mould, biological hazards or cytotoxic substances.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations: apply the primary duty to manage health and safety risks, worker consultation duties, hazardous-chemical duties, airborne-contaminant exposure controls, information/training and health-monitoring requirements as adopted in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of biological hazards at work — guidance on contaminated materials, organic dusts, mould, hygiene, HEPA filtration, local exhaust ventilation and negative-pressure isolation.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — guidance on competent risk assessment, current SDS review, labelling, chemical registers and control selection.
• Model Code of Practice: Healthcare and social assistance industry — guidance on cytotoxic drugs, contaminated laundry and waste, spills, worker training and facility controls.
• Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants and applicable jurisdictional requirements — assess exposure and arrange monitoring by a competent person where exposure is uncertain or may exceed an applicable standard.
• Technical guidance: AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices; AS/NZS 1337.1 Personal eye-protection equipment; AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear. Confirm current editions and site-specific requirements before use.
• Model Codes are guidance unless adopted or otherwise given legal effect in the relevant Commonwealth, state or territory jurisdiction; equivalent or higher controls may be used where they achieve the required standard of health and safety.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections