Small Vessel Launch and Transport SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, preparation, transport, launching, recovery, delivery and handover of small vessels and inflatable craft. It supports planning and risk management for vehicle and trailer movement, loads, wet surfaces, water access, weather, fuel and public interaction.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and assess conditions
• Set up and control the launch area
• Inspect the vehicle, trailer and vessel
• Prepare the vessel or inflatable craft
• Secure the vessel for transport
• Move the trailer within the site
• Transport the vessel to its destination
• Position the vehicle and trailer at the slipway
• Launch or recover the vessel
• Operate the vessel for delivery
• Hire out jet skis and manage customer interaction
• Unload, hand over, clean up and close out

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out small vessel launch, transport, delivery or hire activities.

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, including duties to identify hazards, eliminate or minimise risks so far as reasonably practicable, consult workers, provide safe plant, training, supervision and emergency arrangements.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks (November 2024) — guidance for consultation, risk assessment, hierarchy of controls and review of controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace (2021) — guidance for inspection, authorised operation, traffic rules, exclusion zones, maintenance and safe operating procedures for mobile plant.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks — guidance for controlling lifting, pushing, pulling, repetitive and awkward work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces — guidance for preventing falls from trailers, vessels, ramps and slipways.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace — guidance for SDS review, ventilation, storage and handling of fuels, adhesives and solvents.
• Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace; Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities; and Model Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work (2024) — guidance for emergency response, heat, fatigue, remote work and customer interactions.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks in Stevedoring (2023) — relevant guidance for vessel-related loading, delivery, plant, falls, manual tasks and exclusion zones.
• Guidance standards: AS/NZS 2512 Trailer, light, for boat transport; AS/NZS 1906.1 and AS/NZS 4602.1 high-visibility materials and garments; AS/NZS 2210.3 safety footwear; AS/NZS 1337.1 eye protection; AS/NZS 1270 hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1801 industrial safety helmets; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 respiratory protection; AS/NZS 4509.2 flotation devices; AS/NZS 1170.1 lifting devices; and AS 4991 lifting devices. Apply the current adopted edition and any site or marine-authority requirements.
• Model WHS laws and model Codes of Practice are guidance only unless adopted, approved or otherwise given legal effect in the applicable Commonwealth, state or territory jurisdiction. The workplace must verify local road, marine-safety, port, ramp and environmental requirements before work starts.

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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