Product Overview

This Vehicle Lifting Jacking and Hoisting Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for all vehicle lifting, jacking, hoisting and support activities on site. It is a comprehensive document that consolidates multiple related tasks into one easy-to-use SWMS to support WHS compliance and the safe management of high risk vehicle maintenance work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe access to underbody parts, including positioning of vehicles, isolation of energy sources, and use of appropriate supports
• Procedures for safely crawling underneath vehicles, including exclusion zones and emergency egress considerations
• Use of engine cranes for lifting, moving and lowering engines, including load assessment and sling attachment
• Inspection of vehicle undercarriages using jacks, stands, hoists and lighting to minimise crush and trip risks
• Safe operation of inspection pits, including fall prevention, ventilation, lighting and vehicle positioning
• Jack lifting of vehicles, including correct jack selection, placement on manufacturer-approved lifting points and staged lifting
• Jacking and levelling equipment use to ensure vehicle stability on uneven surfaces or during wheel-off tasks
• Standard jacking operations, including pre-use inspection, safe working load checks and communication between workers
• Jacking up heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses, including additional cribbing, chocking and secondary supports
• Use of jacks and vehicle stands as a system, ensuring stands are correctly rated, positioned and locked before work commences
• Mechanical pit tasks carried out below floor level, including access/egress, housekeeping and emergency procedures
• Use of motorcycle stands and lifting devices to safely stabilise motorcycles for maintenance and inspection
• Pulling engines with hoists, including chain and sling inspections, load balancing and controlled movement
• Removing and installing transmissions using chain falls, transmission jacks and other lifting aids
• Raising axles for suspension, brake and wheel work, including wheel chocking and redundant support systems
• General traffic management and workshop layout controls to prevent collision with raised or jacked vehicles

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for mechanics, automotive workshops, heavy vehicle and fleet maintenance providers, motorcycle repairers, mobile service technicians, and site supervisors responsible for vehicle lifting and hoisting activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace: Guidance on managing risks associated with jacks, hoists, cranes and other lifting plant
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks: Controls to minimise musculoskeletal risks during lifting, pushing, pulling and handling components
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Requirements for safe workshop layout, pits, lighting and access
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment and control implementation
• AS 2550 series – Cranes, hoists and winches (selection, use and maintenance): Relevant guidance for engine cranes, chain falls and hoisting devices
• AS/NZS 4024 series – Safety of machinery: General principles for guarding and safe use of mechanical equipment
• AS/NZS 3012 – Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites: Guidance for temporary electrical equipment used around hoists and pits
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017