Metal Cutting Saws Plasma and Thermal Cutting SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, setting up and carrying out metal cutting work using saws, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting, along with edge grinding. It supports work planning and risk management for heat, fumes, sparks, moving parts, sharp materials, stored energy and clean-up.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work area, services, access and cutting approach
• Set up and control the hot work area
• Inspect cutting plant, discs, blades, leads and equipment
• Position, secure and handle materials and offcuts
• Operate cold saws, bandsaws and hacksaws
• Cut sheet metal and grind edges
• Carry out plasma and oxy-fuel cutting
• Manage fumes, contaminants, heat, noise and repetitive work
• Shut down, maintain, clean up and sign off

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out metal cutting and associated plant 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.
• Model Code of Practice: Welding Processes, used as guidance only and subject to adoption or approval in the relevant jurisdiction. It identifies fire, explosion, heat, compressed-gas, ventilation and flashback controls relevant to thermal cutting.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace, used as guidance only.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, used as guidance only; it supports cylinder inspection, upright secure storage, ventilated storage and leak response.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work, used as guidance only.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks, used as guidance only.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work, used as guidance only where the activity is construction work.
• AS 1674.1 Safety in welding and allied processes—Fire precautions.
• AS 1674.2 Safety in welding and allied processes—Electrical.
• AS/NZS 1337.1 Personal eye-protection—Eye and face protectors for occupational applications.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.
• AS/NZS 1270 Acoustics—Hearing protectors.
• AS/NZS 2210.3 Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear.
• AS 4332 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders; AS/NZS 1869 Hose and hose assemblies for LP Gas, natural gas and town gas.
• AS 4024.1 Safety of machinery series; AS 1788 series Abrasive wheels.

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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