Maintenance of Plant and Equipment at Height SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers maintenance of plant and equipment at height, including planning, access, energy isolation, maintenance, testing and closeout. It supports work planning and risk management for falls, falling objects, access equipment, plant energy and changing work conditions.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work, consult with relevant people and establish work zones
• Assess bridges, trees and surrounding conditions before access work
• Inspect access equipment and fall equipment
• Isolate plant energy before maintenance activities
• Position elevated work platforms and access roof areas
• Manage work above six metres and associated rescue considerations
• Carry out maintenance tasks while managing tools, materials and plant hazards
• Test, recommission, remove access systems and complete handover

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out plant and equipment maintenance at height.

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 the Risk of Falls at Workplaces — use solid construction, fall-prevention devices and safer access before relying on fall arrest.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace (November 2024) — inspect plant, follow manufacturer safety information, and keep lifted loads controlled and within safe working limits.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace — isolate before work, prevent reconnection, use barriers, permits and exclusion zones where electrical risks remain.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work — prepare and implement a SWMS when the work is high risk construction work, including a risk of a person falling more than 2 m.
• Guidance standards: AS/NZS 1891 series Personal equipment for work at height; AS/NZS 5532 Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor devices; AS 1418.10 Elevating work platforms; AS 2550.10 Safe use of mobile elevating work platforms; AS/NZS 1576 and AS/NZS 4576 Scaffolding; AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders; AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—construction and demolition sites; AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
• Model WHS laws and model Codes of Practice are guidance for harmonised jurisdictions and do not automatically have legal effect in every Australian jurisdiction; confirm local legislative and regulator 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