Product Overview

This Chain Blocks, Hoists and Winches Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a fully editable, project-ready safety document designed to help you control risks and maintain WHS compliance when using mechanical lifting devices on site. It provides comprehensive coverage of the planning, setup, operation and maintenance of chain blocks, hoists, winches and associated lifting gear to manage High Risk Construction Work in Australian workplaces.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe selection and inspection of chain blocks and hoists prior to use, including checks for damage, wear and correct Working Load Limit (WLL)
• Planning and conducting loading and unloading tasks using mechanical devices such as hoists, winches and trolleys to minimise manual handling
• Machine-assisted lifting of loads with powered or manual hoists and winches, including exclusion zones and spotter requirements
• Setup, alignment and use of pulley systems to control load direction and reduce lifting effort while maintaining stability
• Use of block and tackle equipment, including correct reeving, anchoring points and load control procedures
• Safe operation of lever blocks, including tensioning, releasing loads and preventing shock loading or overloading
• Use of lifting equipment such as hooks, chains, slings and shackles, including correct selection, tagging and storage
• Rigging and slinging of loads to ensure balanced, secure lifting and prevention of dropped objects
• Establishing and maintaining exclusion zones around lifting operations to protect workers and other site personnel
• Lock-out, tag-out and isolation procedures for hoists and winches during maintenance, inspection or fault conditions
• Emergency procedures for equipment failure, uncontrolled movement of loads and rescue considerations
• Communication methods between operators, doggers and spotters, including use of standard hand signals and radios

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for riggers, doggers, mechanical and structural trades, construction contractors, maintenance teams and site supervisors involved in lifting operations using chain blocks, hoists, winches and associated lifting equipment.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – where lifting operations interface with work at height
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – guidance on reducing manual handling risks through mechanical lifting
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – requirements for the safe use of lifting plant and equipment
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work – overarching duties for high risk construction activities including lifting operations
• AS 1418 Cranes, Hoists and Winches (series) – requirements for the design and safe operation of cranes, hoists and winches
• AS 2550 Cranes, Hoists and Winches – Safe Use (series) – guidance on inspection, maintenance and operation of lifting equipment
• AS 3775 Chain Slings for Lifting Purposes – requirements for selection, use and inspection of chain slings
• AS 4991 Lifting Devices – guidance on the safe design and use of lifting devices
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017