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Brake and Suspension Systems SWMS

Brake and Suspension Systems SWMS

  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
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  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Brake and Suspension Systems SWMS

Product Overview

This Brake and Suspension Systems Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the step-by-step procedures, hazards, and controls required to safely carry out inspection, maintenance, and repair of vehicle brake and suspension systems. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of brake and suspension servicing to support WHS compliance and effective risk management on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

  • Adjusting and fine-tuning steering systems to maintain safe vehicle handling and control
  • Adjusting brake systems for different load weights to ensure safe stopping distances and performance
  • Testing, diagnosing, and repairing air brake systems, including leak detection and component replacement
  • Bleeding hydraulic brake systems to remove air and restore correct brake pressure
  • Brake drum machining operations, including set-up, operation, and guarding of lathes
  • Safe use of brake lathes, including securing components, managing swarf, and controlling noise and vibration
  • Measuring and recording brake pedal force to verify braking efficiency and compliance with specifications
  • Replacing brake rotors, including lifting, handling, and correct torqueing of fasteners
  • Changing brake pads and shoes, including contamination control and correct fitment procedures
  • Carrying out chassis adjustments, including safe jacking, supporting, and stabilising vehicles
  • Checking brake wear indicators, linings, and rotors to identify unsafe wear or damage
  • Inspecting brake cables for wear, corrosion, fraying, and correct adjustment
  • Conducting suspension adjustments, including springs, shocks, and associated components
  • Conducting vehicle wheel alignment to manufacturer specifications and safe test-driving procedures
  • Routine disc brake system maintenance, including cleaning, inspection, and replacement of components
  • General workshop safety for brake and suspension work, including manual handling, noise, and hazardous substances

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for automotive technicians, heavy vehicle mechanics, mobile plant mechanics, fleet maintenance providers, and site supervisors responsible for brake, steering, and suspension work on light and heavy vehicles.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Job Step / Activity Potential Hazards
Pre-start planning and assessment
  • • Unplanned vehicle movement
  • • Inadequate load support
  • • Ignition of flammable vapours
  • • Poor lighting and housekeeping
  • • Incorrect tools and equipment selection
Lifting and supporting vehicle
  • • Vehicle collapse from incorrect support
  • • Jack failure
  • • Crushing under raised vehicle
  • • Unplanned vehicle movement
  • • Musculoskeletal strain from manual handling wheels
Removing wheels and initial inspection
  • • Falling wheels and tyres
  • • Pinch points at hub and studs
  • • Contact with hot brake components
  • • Inhalation of brake dust
  • • Eye injury from flying particles
Working with springs under tension
  • • Uncontrolled release of stored energy
  • • High tension coil spring ejection
  • • Hand and finger crush injuries
  • • Flying metal fragments
  • • Tool or compressor failure
Brake system disassembly
  • • Exposure to brake dust and solvents
  • • Skin contact with brake fluid
  • • Slips on spilled fluids
  • • Component ejection from residual pressure
  • • Incorrect disposal of contaminated parts
Hydraulic brake service and bleeding
  • • Brake fluid injection injury
  • • Brake fluid eye splashes
  • • Ingestion of contaminated fluid
  • • Vehicle movement during pedal operation
  • • Brake failure from incomplete bleeding
Air brake testing and repairs
  • • Stored air pressure release
  • • Unexpected vehicle movement
  • • Noise-induced hearing damage
  • • Hose whiplash from failure
  • • Exposure to moving driveline components
Brake component replacement and machining
  • • Entanglement in rotating brake lathe
  • • Flying metal swarf
  • • Noise from machining operations
  • • Incorrect rotor or drum thickness
  • • Manual handling of heavy components
Brake installation and adjustment
  • • Incorrect brake assembly
  • • Loose fasteners and fittings
  • • Overheating from drag
  • • Brake imbalance
  • • Hand injuries from pinch points
Steering and suspension adjustments
  • • Suspension collapse from incorrect support
  • • Crush injury from shifting components
  • • Contact with sharp edges
  • • Incorrect steering geometry
  • • Strains from forceful levering
Wheel bearings and hub service
  • • Burns from hot hubs
  • • Inhalation of solvent vapours
  • • Contamination of bearings
  • • Incorrect bearing preload
  • • Dropped hubs and drums
Testing braking and suspension systems
  • • Vehicle loss of control
  • • Roller brake tester entrapment
  • • Unexpected brake failure
  • • Noise and vibration exposure
  • • Struck by moving vehicle
Final inspection and documentation
  • • Unnoticed fluid leaks
  • • Loose wheels or components
  • • Incomplete brake adjustment
  • • Incorrect parts fitted
  • • Future failure from poor records
Housekeeping and waste management
  • • Slips on oil and brake fluid
  • • Fire from flammable waste
  • • Environmental contamination
  • • Cuts from discarded metal parts
  • • Exposure to residual brake dust

Need to add specific site requirements?

Don't worry if a specific job step isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom job steps at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the hazards and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – guidance on safe use, inspection, and maintenance of plant and equipment used for brake and suspension work
  • Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls for mechanical and workshop tasks
  • Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – controls for noise from brake lathes, machining, and workshop tools
  • Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – requirements for managing risks from lifting wheels, rotors, drums, and suspension components
  • AS/NZS 4024 (Safety of machinery – series) – principles for guarding and safe use of machinery such as brake lathes and machining equipment
  • AS 1210 Pressure Vessels (where applicable) – reference for compressed air systems used with air brake testing equipment

Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)
  • Operational guidelines, with a step-by-step approach to safe work
  • Possible hazards that may be encountered
  • Step-by-step safety procedures to follow
  • Before work starts – Guidelines and Checks
  • Safety measures and guides
  • Operational Safety Checks
  • Before and After Risk Ratings
  • Risk Assessment Matrix
  • High Risk Work Involved
  • Emergency Evacuation Procedure
  • Plant and Equipment
  • Qualifications and Permits
  • Specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Company Personnel Sign-off form

$96.8

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