Forklift Gas And Fuel SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, operating, refuelling and securing gas and fuel forklifts, including load handling and plant isolation. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing interactions, equipment condition, fuel-related hazards and defects.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work area and manage pedestrian, vehicle, visibility and overhead interactions
• Confirm operator authority and familiarity with the selected forklift
• Complete forklift pre-start checks and identify mechanical, hydraulic, brake, tyre and gas issues
• Assess load capacity, stability and attachments before lifting
• Change LPG cylinders and manage cylinder handling and gas-release hazards
• Store fuel and cylinders with controlled access and spill management
• Charge forklift batteries and manage electrical, acid, fire and explosion hazards
• Mount, dismount and travel safely with the forklift
• Lift, place, stack and retrieve stock while managing falling-load and crush hazards
• Operate specialised forklifts and manage their specific stability and separation hazards
• Load vehicles and scrap while managing dock, trailer, load-shift and collision risks
• Isolate, repair, clean up and report defects before sign-off

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out forklift gas and fuel 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.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Construction Work, where forklift operations form part of construction work.
• AS 2359 series, Industrial trucks.
• AS/NZS 1596, The storage and handling of LP Gas.
• AS 4332, The storage and handling of gases in cylinders.
• AS 1940, The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
• AS/NZS 3760, In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
• AS/NZS 2210.3, Safety, protective and occupational footwear.
• AS/NZS 4602.1, High visibility safety garments.
• AS/NZS 1337.1, Personal eye-protection.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716, Respiratory protective equipment, where respiratory protection is identified by the risk assessment.

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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