Product Overview

This Boom Lift SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for the safe use of boom-type elevating work platforms on Australian worksites. It provides end-to-end coverage of boom lift operations and associated tasks to support WHS compliance and safer elevated work activities.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and preparation for articulating boom lift operations, including site assessment and access/egress requirements
• Selection and pre-use inspection of boom lifts, safety devices, controls, tyres, and emergency descent systems
• Safe operation of articulating boom lifts, including boom extension, slewing, and positioning around structures and services
• Management of ground conditions, including working on slopes, near edges, penetrations, and unstable or soft surfaces
• Control of overhead hazards such as powerlines, overhead services, structures, trees, and other obstructions
• Safe use of harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points within the boom lift platform to prevent falls from height
• Traffic and pedestrian management around the boom lift operating zone, including barricades, spotters, and exclusion zones
• Controls for working in adverse weather conditions, including high winds, rain, poor visibility, and lightning
• Procedures for safe loading, unloading, and transport of boom lifts to and from the worksite
• Emergency response procedures, including platform rescue, entrapment, equipment malfunction, and incident reporting
• Communication protocols between operators, spotters, doggers, and site supervisors during boom lift operations
• Isolation, shutdown, parking, and post-use inspection of articulating boom lifts at the completion of work

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for EWP operators, electricians, maintenance technicians, construction and building contractors, painters, sign installers, and site supervisors involved in boom lift and articulating boom lift operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance for controlling fall risks when working at height using boom lifts
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for the safe use, inspection, and maintenance of boom lifts as plant
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice: Application of WHS duties when boom lifts are used for construction and related activities
• AS 2550.10 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms: Requirements for the safe use and operation of boom-type EWPs
• AS/NZS 1418.10 Cranes, hoists and winches – Mobile elevating work platforms: Design and operational requirements for mobile elevating work platforms, including boom lifts
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (series): Requirements for harnesses, lanyards, and fall-arrest equipment used in boom lift platforms