Product Overview

This Structural Steel Erection SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify, control, and minimise risks associated with the erection and modification of structural steel on Australian worksites. It provides end-to-end coverage of planning, lifting, installation, and adjustment activities for structural steel construction to support robust WHS compliance and safer project delivery.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and sequencing of structural steel erection works to minimise clashes, delays, and unsafe interfaces
• Assembly of prefabricated steel structures, including safe layout, alignment, and temporary support methods
• Bolting cleats securely, including torqueing procedures, use of correct grade fasteners, and verification of tightness
• Column erection, including crane lifts, dogging, temporary propping, and plumb and line checks
• Connection of structural frames, including safe access, positioning, and securing of beams, rafters, and portals
• Installation and tensioning of cross-bracing to maintain frame stability during progressive erection
• Erection of steel structures using cranes, EWPs, and scaffolds, with controls for working at height and suspended loads
• Replacing steel members, including removal of damaged components and installation of new sections with adequate temporary supports
• Setting up mezzanine floors, including placement of joists, bearers, and decking with edge protection and fall prevention
• Steel liner installation and fixing, including sheet handling, cutting, and fastening while controlling sharp edges and falls
• General structural steel construction activities, including cutting, drilling, grinding, and hot works on steel members
• Transport and erection of girders, including loading, securing, lifting, landing, and final positioning procedures
• Selection and inspection of lifting gear, rigging equipment, and temporary bracing systems for structural steel operations
• Use of elevated work platforms, scaffolds, and ladders to access structural steel safely at height
• Site housekeeping, exclusion zones, and communication protocols around mobile plant and crane operations

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for structural steel erectors, riggers, boilermakers, commercial builders, and site supervisors involved in the erection, modification, or repair of structural steel frameworks on Australian construction sites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Construction Work – Guidance on managing WHS risks associated with construction activities, including structural steel erection
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Requirements and controls for working at height on steel structures and mezzanine floors
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Safe use of cranes, EWPs, and other plant used for lifting and positioning steel
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Risk controls for manual handling of steel members, fixings, and components
• AS 4100 Steel Structures – Design and structural requirements relevant to the erection and connection of structural steelwork
• AS 1418 Cranes, Hoists and Winches (series) – Requirements for the safe use of cranes and lifting equipment during steel erection
• AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding (series) – Requirements for scaffolding used to access and install structural steel
• AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for Scaffolding – Practical guidance for safe scaffold planning, erection, and use
• AS/NZS 4994 Temporary Edge Protection (series) – Requirements for edge protection systems used on steel structures and mezzanine floors
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017