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Oxy-Acetylene Gas Cutting and Heating SWMS

Oxy-Acetylene Gas Cutting and Heating SWMS

  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Oxy-Acetylene Gas Cutting and Heating SWMS

Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is specifically developed for Oxy-Acetylene Gas Cutting and Heating, detailing step-by-step controls to manage the significant fire, explosion and fume risks associated with this work. It is a comprehensive, ready-to-use document that covers multiple aspects of oxy-fuel cutting, heating and soldering to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

  • Conducting torch cutting operations on structural steel, pipework and fabricated components
  • Safe cutting with oxy-acetylene equipment, including pre-start checks and shutdown procedures
  • Exchange, connection and disconnection of gas cylinders used with cutting torches
  • Flame cutting of rods, bar and small sections while maintaining correct supports and clearances
  • Gas cutting using plate cutting attachments, guides and mechanised cutting equipment
  • Ignition and safe operation of propane cutting torches, including leak checks and flame control
  • Operation of oxy-fuel heating torches for pre-heating, straightening and post-heating of metals
  • General oxy-acetylene set-up, use and shutdown, including regulators, hoses and flashback arrestors
  • Oxy and acetylene soldering tasks, including small component work and onsite repairs
  • Repairs carried out with oxy-acetylene torches in workshops, on plant and in field locations
  • Safe use of oxy-acetylene equipment in confined or restricted areas with ventilation controls
  • Use of portable oxy-fuel cutting tools on elevated work platforms, scaffolds and ladders
  • Selection, inspection and maintenance of hoses, regulators, torches and flashback arrestors
  • Control of fire and explosion risks, including hot work permits, exclusion zones and fire watch
  • Management of fumes, burns, eye injuries and manual handling risks associated with gas cutting

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for boilermakers, welders, metal fabricators, maintenance technicians, fitters, construction contractors and site supervisors who undertake or oversee oxy-acetylene gas cutting, heating and soldering work.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Job Step / Activity Potential Hazards
Pre-start planning and permits
  • • Unidentified ignition sources
  • • Inadequate ventilation
  • • Unplanned work near flammables
  • • Uncontrolled interaction with other trades
Site setup and housekeeping
  • • Slips trips and falls
  • • Blocked emergency egress
  • • Combustible rubbish accumulation
  • • Poor lighting of work area
Cylinder handling and storage
  • • Cylinder fall or impact
  • • Valve stem damage
  • • Uncontrolled gas release
  • • Incorrect gas type selection
Regulator and hose setup
  • • Gas leaks at connections
  • • Incorrect regulator pressure
  • • Hose failure or blowout
  • • Cross connection of gases
Pre-use inspection and PPE
  • • Eye injury from sparks
  • • Burns from hot slag
  • • Fume and gas inhalation
  • • Noise exposure
Lighting and shutting down torches
  • • Flashback in torch
  • • Uncontrolled flame ignition
  • • Burns to hands and face
  • • Explosion from incorrect procedure
Conduct torch cutting operations
  • • Sparks and hot slag projection
  • • Fire in surrounding materials
  • • Molten metal splash
  • • Contact with hot workpiece
Cutting with oxy-acetylene equipment
  • • Backfire and flashback
  • • Overheating torch tip
  • • Unstable workpiece movement
  • • Excessive fume generation
Operate oxy-fuel heating torches
  • • Overheating base material
  • • Heat damage to nearby services
  • • Ignition of coatings or insulation
  • • Thermal burns from radiant heat
Oxy and acet soldering works
  • • Lead or flux fume inhalation
  • • Ignition of building materials
  • • Damage to concealed services
  • • Eye irritation from flux smoke
Exchange gas cylinders in cutting torch
  • • Sudden gas release
  • • Incorrect regulator removal
  • • Cross-threaded fittings
  • • Manual handling strain
Flame cutting of rods and plate
  • • Projectile offcuts
  • • Rod whip during cutting
  • • Uncontrolled plate movement
  • • Edge sharpness and burrs
Repairs with oxyacetylene torches
  • • Ignition of residues
  • • Structural weakening from heat
  • • Unexpected component failure
  • • Exposure to toxic coatings
Safe shutdown and post-work checks
  • • Smouldering fires after work
  • • Gas leaks after shutdown
  • • Contact with hot surfaces
  • • Residual fume accumulation

Need to add specific site requirements?

Don't worry if a specific job step isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom job steps at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the hazards and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on safe storage, handling and use of compressed and fuel gases
  • Welding Processes Code of Practice: Controls for welding, cutting, heating and allied processes including oxy-fuel work
  • Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Requirements when performing gas cutting or heating at height
  • Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Guidance on hearing protection where cutting operations generate high noise levels
  • First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid facilities and treatment of burns, eye injuries and fume exposure
  • AS 4839: The safe use of portable and mobile oxy-fuel gas systems for welding, cutting, heating and allied processes: Technical guidance on safe oxy-fuel system set-up and operation
  • AS 4289: Oxygen and acetylene gas reticulation systems: Requirements for safe gas supply systems where applicable

Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)
  • Operational guidelines, with a step-by-step approach to safe work
  • Possible hazards that may be encountered
  • Step-by-step safety procedures to follow
  • Before work starts – Guidelines and Checks
  • Safety measures and guides
  • Operational Safety Checks
  • Before and After Risk Ratings
  • Risk Assessment Matrix
  • High Risk Work Involved
  • Emergency Evacuation Procedure
  • Plant and Equipment
  • Qualifications and Permits
  • Specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Company Personnel Sign-off form

$96.8

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