Forklift (Electric) SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, operating, charging and securing electric forklifts, from pre-start checks through load handling and parking. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing people and vehicle interactions, load stability, battery hazards and defects.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the work area, task conditions, access, visibility and overhead obstructions
• Confirm operator authority and readiness to operate the forklift
• Complete pre-start checks for mechanical, brake, hydraulic, tyre and battery issues
• Prepare pallets and loads, then pick up and secure them safely
• Travel with seated or pedestrian forklifts while managing collision, crush and visibility hazards
• Load and unload vehicles while managing trailer, dock, freight and vehicle-movement risks
• Stack and retrieve loads while managing placement, racking, falling-object and tip-over hazards
• Manage ramps and gradients to reduce roll-over, load-slide and braking risks
• Charge and maintain batteries while managing electrical, acid, fire and manual-handling hazards
• Park and secure the forklift to manage movement, unauthorised use and fork trip hazards
• Respond to incidents, uncontrolled loads, exposure hazards and reported defects

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out electric forklift activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to provide safe plant, safe systems of work, information, training, instruction, supervision, consultation and risk control.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work, where forklift activities form part of construction work.
• AS 2359 series, Powered industrial trucks.
• AS/NZS 2210.3, Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear.
• AS/NZS 4602.1, High visibility safety garments.
• AS/NZS 1337.1, Personal eye and face protection.
• AS/NZS 1270, Hearing protectors.
• Model Codes are guidance and have legal effect only where adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; apply the requirements in the jurisdiction where the work occurs. The supplied WHS material identifies pre-operational checks, competent/licensed operators, marked walkways, exclusion zones and traffic management as key mobile-plant controls.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections