Product Overview

This General Locksmithing Door Hardware and Lock Installation SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for locksmithing activities on Australian worksites. It provides detailed guidance across a wide range of lock installation, servicing, and key-cutting tasks to support WHS compliance and safe, efficient locksmith operations.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe installation of deadbolts to timber, steel, and composite doors, including drilling, chiselling, and fixing methods
• Management of risks when dealing with broken keys in locks, including use of extraction tools and avoiding damage to hardware
• Operation of key cutting machines for standard and speciality keys, including guarding, PPE, and control of metal swarf
• Procedures for accurate duplication of keys, including verification of key profiles and secure handling of customer keys
• Laser-cut key duplication, including safe use of electronic key-cutting equipment and electrical safety controls
• Fitting and aligning new locks to doors, frames, and jambs, including drilling, fixing, and testing of operation
• Installation of high-security locks, including restricted key systems, cylinders, and associated hardware
• Installation of pick-resistant and insurance-rated locks, including compliance with manufacturer and insurer requirements
• Installing cabinet and furniture locks, including small-part handling, tool safety, and protection of finished surfaces
• Changing and rekeying locks, including removal and replacement of cylinders, pins, and barrels
• Servicing of pin tumbler locks, including disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, and reassembly
• Installation and servicing of emergency exit locks and hardware, including panic bars and egress-compliant devices
• Installation and adjustment of roller door locks, including work at height on ladders and step platforms
• Real estate and strata rekey services, including handling multiple keys, site access, and security of key sets
• General mobile locksmith work, including vehicle loading, manual handling of tools and hardware, and on-site customer interaction

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for mobile and workshop-based locksmiths, door hardware installers, maintenance contractors, and site supervisors who manage or oversee locksmithing and door security work.

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
• Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on the safe use of key cutting machines, power tools, and portable equipment
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe locksmith workshops, mobile work environments, and amenities
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment, and control implementation within locksmithing tasks
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for lifting doors, door hardware, toolboxes, and repetitive key-cutting tasks
• AS 4145.1–2008: Locksets and hardware – Padlocks: Reference for performance requirements relating to certain lock and hardware types
• AS 4145.2–2008: Locksets and hardware – Mechanical locksets for doors: Reference for installation and performance of mechanical door locksets
• AS 1905.1–2015: Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls – Fire-resistant doorsets: Relevant where locksmithing involves fire doors and emergency exit hardware