Product Overview

This Event Setup Decorating and Infrastructure Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for setting up and decorating events of all sizes. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of event infrastructure safety and WHS compliance for indoor and outdoor venues across Australia.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and coordinating safe event setup, pack-up, and changeovers to minimise disruption and onsite risks
• Decorating for holidays, themed functions, and special events, including safe use of props, drapes, and decorative materials
• Installation and dismantling of food and beverage stands, including marquees, kiosks, and temporary counters
• Safe use and positioning of high intensity lighting, including floodlights, stage lights, and temporary lighting towers
• Installation of outdoor decorations on structures, fences, trees, and buildings, including work at low heights and ladder use
• Setup and configuration of sporting event infrastructure such as goals, barriers, signage, and temporary seating
• Supplying power to catering vans and food trucks, including safe use of generators, leads, and temporary power distribution
• Selection, inspection, and safe use of electrical extension leads, power boards, and residual current devices (RCDs)
• Traffic and pedestrian management around event setup zones, loading areas, and vehicle access points
• Manual handling of event equipment, decorations, and infrastructure to reduce musculoskeletal injuries
• Weather and environmental risk management for outdoor events, including wind loading, heat, rain, and poor visibility
• Emergency planning, incident response, and communication procedures during event setup and operation

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for event organisers, event hire companies, decorators, catering and hospitality providers, sporting clubs, and site supervisors responsible for the safe setup and operation of event infrastructure.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on safe conditions for workers during event setup and operation.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for the safe use of plant and equipment such as lighting towers and generators.
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for lifting, carrying, and moving event infrastructure and decorations.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: Safe practices for temporary power, leads, and electrical equipment for events and catering vans.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Guidance where high-intensity sound systems and crowd noise are present.
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for risk management applied throughout the SWMS.
• AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical Installations (Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules): Requirements for temporary electrical installations and connections at events.
• AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment: Testing and tagging requirements for portable electrical equipment and leads.
• AS 2299.1 Temporary Structures for Events: Guidance for the safe erection and use of temporary structures such as marquees and stands (where applicable).
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017