Product Overview

This Fibre Cement Sheeting Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed to help businesses identify hazards, implement controls, and maintain safe systems of work when installing and cutting fibre cement sheeting. It is a comprehensive, task-specific document that covers multiple aspects of fibre cement sheet handling, cutting, fixing, and clean-up to support WHS compliance and effective risk management.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe cutting of fibre cement sheeting, including selection and use of appropriate saws, blades, and cutting methods
• Dust control measures when cutting cement sheets, including wet cutting techniques and local exhaust ventilation where practicable
• Use, fitting, and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for controlling exposure to respirable crystalline silica
• Manual handling of fibre cement sheets, including team lifting, use of mechanical aids, and techniques to minimise strain and sprain injuries
• Positioning, supporting, and securing fibre cement sheets prior to cutting or fixing to prevent movement, kickback, or sheet breakage
• Safe operation of power tools used for cutting and drilling fibre cement sheeting, including pre-start checks, guarding, and lock-out procedures
• Noise control measures and hearing protection when using saws and other powered cutting equipment
• Edge finishing, trimming, and drilling of fibre cement sheets while maintaining structural integrity and controlling dust
• Housekeeping and clean-up of offcuts and dust, including safe collection, containment, and disposal of silica-containing waste
• Working at height while installing fibre cement sheeting on walls, eaves, or façades, including use of scaffolds, platforms, or fall protection
• Use of ladders and temporary work platforms for access during fibre cement sheeting installation
• Traffic management and site exclusion zones to separate cutting areas from other workers and the public
• Emergency response procedures for incidents such as eye injuries, lacerations, electric shock, or excessive dust exposure

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for carpenters, cladding installers, builders, renovation contractors, and site supervisors involved in the cutting and installation of fibre cement sheeting on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work – Requirements and controls for managing risks associated with construction activities
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace – Applied principles for controlling silica dust exposure when cutting fibre cement products
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Controls for noise generated by cutting tools and equipment
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Guidance on reducing risks from lifting, carrying, and handling fibre cement sheets
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment – Requirements for choosing and maintaining RPE for silica dust control
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory Protective Devices – Performance standards for respirators used during cutting operations
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational Protective Gloves – Guidance on selection and use of hand protection
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing Protectors – Performance standards for hearing protection devices
• AS/NZS 1891 (series): Industrial Fall-Arrest Systems and Devices – Requirements for fall protection when working at height during installation
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical Installations – Construction and Demolition Sites – Requirements for safe use of electrical tools and equipment on site
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017