Lawn Mowing and Turf Care Equipment SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, transport, operation, maintenance and clean-down of lawn mowing and turf care equipment. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing public access, plant movement, mowing, refuelling, slopes and waste handling.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and inspect the site
• Set exclusion zones and manage access
• Transport and unload equipment
• Complete plant pre-start checks
• Refuel equipment and manage fluids
• Operate walk-behind mowers
• Operate ride-on and gang mowers
• Mow slopes and embankments
• Use turf care attachments
• Maintain sports fields and bunkers
• Apply seed and soil products and dispose of green waste
• Maintain, clean down and sign off mowers

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out lawn mowing and turf care 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, including duties to manage risks, provide safe plant, consult workers, provide information/training/supervision, manage hazardous chemicals, noise, hazardous manual tasks and powered mobile plant.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace—guidance on plant risk assessment, guarding, authorised use, inspections, maintenance, traffic controls and emergency procedures.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work—guidance on selecting quieter plant and controlling noise exposure; the model exposure standard is LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) or LC,peak 140 dB(C).
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks—guidance on identifying and controlling musculoskeletal risks from force, repetition, awkward posture and vibration.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace—guidance on SDSs, labelling, storage, spill response, maintenance and chemical handling systems.
• AS/NZS 4024 series Safety of machinery; AS/NZS 2210.3 Personal protective equipment—safety footwear; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye and face protection; AS/NZS 2161.1 Occupational protective gloves; AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments.
• Model WHS laws and model Codes of Practice are guidance unless adopted or otherwise given legal effect in the relevant Commonwealth, state or territory jurisdiction. Confirm local requirements before work starts.

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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