Knives and Cutters Industrial SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers selecting, inspecting, using, storing and disposing of industrial knives and cutters, including fixed bench cutters and blade replacement. It supports planning by addressing laceration, blade, material movement, fatigue, distraction and housekeeping risks.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the task and work area
• Select a suitable cutting tool
• Inspect knives and cutters before use
• Prepare materials for cutting
• Cut cartons and packaging
• Cut sheet and flexible materials
• Operate fixed bench cutters
• Replace utility knife blades
• Manage cuts and incidents
• Control fatigue and distractions
• Store knives between tasks
• Clean up and dispose of cutting waste

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out cutting tasks with industrial knives and cutters.

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: apply the relevant primary duty of care, risk-management, plant, hazardous manual task, workplace facilities, consultation, information, training, supervision and PPE duties in the jurisdiction where work is performed.
• Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks (guidance only; confirm whether adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (guidance only; confirm jurisdictional status). Guarding must prevent access to hazardous moving parts and guards removed for maintenance require plant isolation.
• Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks (guidance only; confirm jurisdictional status).
• Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities (guidance only; confirm jurisdictional status). Heat, cold and workplace conditions that reduce concentration must be monitored and managed.
• AS/NZS 2161 series, Occupational protective gloves, including AS/NZS 2161.1 and AS/NZS 2161.7.1/.7.2/.7.3 for protection against cuts and stabs by hand knives.
• AS/NZS 1337.1, Personal eye protection for occupational applications; AS/NZS 2210.3, Safety footwear; AS/NZS 1801, Occupational protective helmets where site conditions require head protection.
• PPE is the lowest level of control and must be selected, maintained, repaired or replaced, with workers instructed and supervised in its use.

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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