Product Overview

This Cable Winch Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a detailed safety management document designed to identify hazards and implement controls for the safe use of cable and powered winches on Australian worksites. It provides comprehensive coverage of multiple winching methods and scenarios to support WHS compliance and effective control of risks associated with High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Operation of cable winches for lifting, pulling and tensioning loads in construction, civil, and maintenance environments
• Safe use of hydraulic winches, including pressure controls, hose integrity checks, and management of hydraulic fluid leaks
• Operating remote control winches with line-of-sight requirements, exclusion zones, and emergency stop procedures
• Selection and inspection of winch cables, ropes, hooks, shackles, and attachments prior to use
• Establishing and maintaining exclusion zones to protect workers from snap-back, line failure, and moving loads
• Calculating load ratings, line pull capacity, and safe working limits for different winching configurations
• Anchoring and positioning of winches, vehicles, and fixed points to prevent movement, rollover, or instability
• Communication protocols between winch operators, spotters, doggers, and site supervisors during winching operations
• Managing environmental factors such as slopes, soft ground, wet or windy conditions that may affect winch stability
• Lock-out/tag-out, isolation and safe shutdown procedures for powered winches and associated plant
• Emergency response procedures for cable failure, uncontrolled load movement, entanglement, and crush injuries
• Manual handling risk controls when rigging, laying out, and recovering winch cables and associated equipment
• Routine inspection, maintenance and defect reporting for winches, controls, and safety devices

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, construction crews, rigging and lifting teams, recovery operators, maintenance personnel, and site supervisors involved in any cable or powered winching operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work – Guidance on managing risks associated with construction activities, including lifting and winching operations
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – Requirements for the safe use, inspection and maintenance of winches and associated plant
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls for winching tasks
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Risk controls for handling cables, rigging gear and associated equipment
• AS 1418 Cranes, Hoists and Winches (relevant parts) – Technical requirements for the design, safe use and operation of winches and lifting equipment
• AS 2550 Cranes, Hoists and Winches – Safe Use (relevant parts) – Guidance on inspection, maintenance and operational practices for winches
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017