Loading and Unloading of Containers SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, securing, opening, loading and unloading containers and their cargo. It supports organised work and risk management around vehicles, plant, lifting, cargo movement, container atmospheres and housekeeping.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and review cargo information
• Set exclusion zones for vehicle and plant movements
• Secure vehicles and containers before work
• Inspect plant and lifting gear
• Assess the container atmosphere before entry or unloading
• Open container doors and inspect cargo
• Unload palletised and oversized cargo
• Move cargo to a designated landing area
• Load cargo into containers
• Close and secure containers
• Clean up the work area and complete sign-off

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses loading or unloading containers.

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.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks in Stevedoring — guidance for safe cargo handling, load control, communication, exclusion zones and cargo stowage.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.
• AS 2359 series — Powered industrial trucks.
• AS 1418 series and AS 2550 series — Cranes, hoists and safe use of cranes.
• AS 3775 series — Chain slings and lifting components.
• AS 4991 — Lifting devices.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 — Respiratory protective equipment.
• AS/NZS 2210.3 — Safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 — High-visibility safety garments; AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective helmets.

---

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