Trolleys Wheelbarrows and Mechanical Handling Aids SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers the use of trolleys, wheelbarrows and mechanical handling aids to move, load and unload materials or equipment. It supports planning handling tasks, checking equipment and managing load stability, movement and work-area hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the handling activity and assess the load
• Prepare the work area and travel path
• Inspect handling aids before use
• Select an appropriate mechanical aid for the task
• Load trolleys and wheelbarrows with stable loads
• Use hand trolleys to move materials
• Operate wheelbarrows across the work area
• Move loads with pallet trucks
• Manage ramps, lifts and doorways
• Move equipment using skates
• Use pulley systems for controlled load movement
• Unload, park, review and report equipment issues

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses using trolleys, wheelbarrows or mechanical handling aids.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (or corresponding state/territory WHS Regulations), Part 3.1—management of risks to health and safety, including Regulations 34–38.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, Regulation 60—management of risks to health and safety relating to musculoskeletal disorders associated with hazardous manual tasks.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, Part 5.1—control of risks associated with plant.
• Safe Work Australia, Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: use mechanical aids, redesign work, maintain equipment and favour pushing over pulling where practicable.
• Safe Work Australia, Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: provide instruction, training, supervision and maintenance arrangements when introducing mechanical aids.
• AS/NZS 3760—In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment where powered handling aids are used.
• AS 2359 series—Powered industrial trucks, where pallet trucks or other industrial trucks fall within the applicable equipment category.
• AS 1418 series and AS 2550 series—Cranes, hoists and lifting devices, where pulley, hoist or lifting equipment is used.

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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