Manual Handling SWMS
- 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
- Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
- Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
- Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
- Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates
Two Ways to Get Started
Upload your logo and company details — we'll customise all your documents automatically.
Download the Word template and edit directly.
Product Overview
This Manual Handling Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify, assess, and control the risks associated with lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tasks to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of manual handling risk management, from planning and task setup through to completion and review.
Activities & Specific Tasks Covered
This document includes specific risk controls for:
- Assessment of manual handling tasks to identify hazardous postures, repetitive movements, and excessive force
- Selection of appropriate lifting techniques to minimise strain on the back, shoulders, and upper limbs
- Safe team lifting and coordinated handling of awkward, long, or bulky loads
- Use of mechanical aids such as trolleys, pallet jacks, lifters, and conveyors to reduce manual effort
- Planning of load routes, clearances, and work areas to prevent slips, trips, and obstructions during handling
- Controls for repetitive handling tasks, including job rotation, task variation, and micro-breaks
- Handling of loads at height or below knee level, including use of platforms and height-adjustable equipment
- Safe handling of unstable, sharp-edged, hot, or contaminated items with appropriate PPE and work practices
- Storage layout and racking practices to minimise high and low-level lifting and overreaching
- Training, instruction, and supervision requirements for workers performing manual handling tasks
- Incident response, reporting, and review of manual handling-related injuries and near misses
- Consultation with workers to identify improvements in task design, equipment selection, and work methods
Who is this for?
This SWMS is designed for construction workers, warehouse and logistics staff, manufacturing and maintenance personnel, tradespeople, and site supervisors responsible for managing manual handling risks.
Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered
| Job Step / Activity | Potential Hazards |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparation |
|
| 2. Assess work area |
|
| 3. Select equipment |
|
| 4. Gather materials |
|
| 5. Position equipment |
|
| 6. Clear obstructions |
|
| 7. Communicate plan |
|
| 8. Inspect equipment |
|
| 9. Manual lifting |
|
| 10. Move materials |
|
| 11. Ensure clearance |
|
| 12. Adjust lifting technique |
|
| 13. Secure equipment |
|
| 14. Monitor progress |
|
| 15. Document completion |
|
| 16. Housekeeping |
|
| 17. Check surroundings |
|
| 18. Dispose waste |
|
| 19. Report incidents |
|
| 20. Review procedures |
|
Need to add specific site requirements?
Don't worry if a specific job step isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom job steps at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the hazards and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.
Legislation & References
This document was researched and developed to align with:
- Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing, and controlling risks associated with hazardous manual tasks
- Managing the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders Code of Practice: Practical guidance for preventing musculoskeletal injuries arising from work activities
- How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures
- Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice: Requirements for involving workers in WHS decisions and risk controls
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)
- Operational guidelines, with a step-by-step approach to safe work
- Possible hazards that may be encountered
- Step-by-step safety procedures to follow
- Before work starts – Guidelines and Checks
- Safety measures and guides
- Operational Safety Checks
- Before and After Risk Ratings
- Risk Assessment Matrix
- High Risk Work Involved
- Emergency Evacuation Procedure
- Plant and Equipment
- Qualifications and Permits
- Specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Company Personnel Sign-off form
Suitable for Industries
$64.95
Includes all formats + 2 years updates
Manual Handling SWMS
- • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
- • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
- • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
- • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
- • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates
Manual Handling SWMS
Product Overview
This Manual Handling Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify, assess, and control the risks associated with lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tasks to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of manual handling risk management, from planning and task setup through to completion and review.
Activities & Specific Tasks Covered
This document includes specific risk controls for:
- Assessment of manual handling tasks to identify hazardous postures, repetitive movements, and excessive force
- Selection of appropriate lifting techniques to minimise strain on the back, shoulders, and upper limbs
- Safe team lifting and coordinated handling of awkward, long, or bulky loads
- Use of mechanical aids such as trolleys, pallet jacks, lifters, and conveyors to reduce manual effort
- Planning of load routes, clearances, and work areas to prevent slips, trips, and obstructions during handling
- Controls for repetitive handling tasks, including job rotation, task variation, and micro-breaks
- Handling of loads at height or below knee level, including use of platforms and height-adjustable equipment
- Safe handling of unstable, sharp-edged, hot, or contaminated items with appropriate PPE and work practices
- Storage layout and racking practices to minimise high and low-level lifting and overreaching
- Training, instruction, and supervision requirements for workers performing manual handling tasks
- Incident response, reporting, and review of manual handling-related injuries and near misses
- Consultation with workers to identify improvements in task design, equipment selection, and work methods
Who is this for?
This SWMS is designed for construction workers, warehouse and logistics staff, manufacturing and maintenance personnel, tradespeople, and site supervisors responsible for managing manual handling risks.
Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered
| Job Step / Activity | Potential Hazards |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparation |
|
| 2. Assess work area |
|
| 3. Select equipment |
|
| 4. Gather materials |
|
| 5. Position equipment |
|
| 6. Clear obstructions |
|
| 7. Communicate plan |
|
| 8. Inspect equipment |
|
| 9. Manual lifting |
|
| 10. Move materials |
|
| 11. Ensure clearance |
|
| 12. Adjust lifting technique |
|
| 13. Secure equipment |
|
| 14. Monitor progress |
|
| 15. Document completion |
|
| 16. Housekeeping |
|
| 17. Check surroundings |
|
| 18. Dispose waste |
|
| 19. Report incidents |
|
| 20. Review procedures |
|
Need to add specific site requirements?
Don't worry if a specific job step isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom job steps at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the hazards and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.
Legislation & References
This document was researched and developed to align with:
- Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing, and controlling risks associated with hazardous manual tasks
- Managing the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders Code of Practice: Practical guidance for preventing musculoskeletal injuries arising from work activities
- How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures
- Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice: Requirements for involving workers in WHS decisions and risk controls
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)
- Operational guidelines, with a step-by-step approach to safe work
- Possible hazards that may be encountered
- Step-by-step safety procedures to follow
- Before work starts – Guidelines and Checks
- Safety measures and guides
- Operational Safety Checks
- Before and After Risk Ratings
- Risk Assessment Matrix
- High Risk Work Involved
- Emergency Evacuation Procedure
- Plant and Equipment
- Qualifications and Permits
- Specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Company Personnel Sign-off form
$64.95