Product Overview

This Hammer Drill Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the high-level hazards, controls, and safe work procedures needed to manage the risks associated with hammer drilling on Australian worksites, supporting strong WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of Hammer Drill SWMS activities, including setup, operation, maintenance, and interaction with other trades and site conditions.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe planning and setup of hammer drilling work areas, including exclusion zones and access management
• Selection of appropriate hammer drills, rotary hammer drills, drill bits, and accessories for the material and task
• Hammer drilling operations into concrete, masonry, brick, and other dense substrates
• Rotary hammer applications involving heavy-duty drilling, chiselling, and breaking tasks
• Using rotary hammer drills with vibration, dust, and noise controls to minimise operator exposure
• Managing hand–arm vibration risks from prolonged hammer drill and rotary hammer use
• Control of airborne dust and silica when hammer drilling, including wet methods and on-tool extraction
• Electrical safety when using corded hammer drills, extension leads, and portable RCD protection
• Battery-powered hammer drill safety, including charging, storage, and inspection of lithium-ion batteries
• Working at height with hammer drills, including use on ladders, scaffolds, and elevated work platforms
• Manual handling of hammer drills, bits, and accessories to reduce strain, sprain, and crush injuries
• Noise management and hearing protection when operating high-impact hammer and rotary hammer drills
• Housekeeping, securing workpieces, and preventing flying debris and projectiles during drilling
• Inspection, maintenance, and tagging of hammer drills and rotary hammers to ensure ongoing safe operation
• Emergency response procedures for incidents such as electric shock, eye injuries, or entanglement during drilling

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, concreters, construction and maintenance workers, and site supervisors who plan, manage, or carry out hammer drilling and rotary hammer operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice – guidance on controlling noise from hammer and rotary hammer drills
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice – requirements when using hammer drills at height or on elevated platforms
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice – control measures for repetitive use and handling of heavy hammer drills
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice – relevant where drilling generates respirable crystalline silica dust
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites – requirements for safe use of corded hammer drills and temporary power
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves – selection of hand protection for drilling tasks
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing protectors – selection of suitable hearing protection for high-noise drilling operations
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection – requirements for safety eyewear against flying particles and debris