Pallet Jack SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning and operating manual, powered and ride-on pallet jacks, including load handling, battery tasks and parking. It supports work planning and risk management for traffic interaction, unstable loads, crush points, ramps, docks, lifts and plant faults.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the task and complete induction requirements
• Set traffic and exclusion zones
• Inspect the pallet jack before use
• Inspect pallets and loads
• Operate manual pallet jacks
• Operate powered pallet jacks
• Operate ride-on pallet jacks
• Traverse ramps, docks and lifts
• Position and lower loads
• Charge or change batteries
• Respond to faults and incidents
• Clean up and park the plant

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses using pallet jacks to move loads.

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, including duties to provide and maintain safe plant, safe systems of work, information, training, instruction, supervision, consultation and risk controls.
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace (guidance; confirm whether adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction). The Code supports combined controls, including guarding, isolation and PPE, rather than reliance on PPE alone.
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks (guidance; confirm jurisdictional status). It supports elimination or reduction of musculoskeletal-disorder risks arising from forceful, repetitive or awkward work.
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities (guidance; confirm jurisdictional status).
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks (guidance; confirm jurisdictional status).
• AS 2359 series, Powered industrial trucks, as applicable to the plant and workplace; follow the manufacturer operating manual where it is more specific.
• AS/NZS 2210.3, Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1, High visibility safety garments; AS/NZS 1337.1, Eye and face protection where eye hazards are identified.
• Model WHS laws and model Codes of Practice are guidance unless adopted, approved or otherwise given effect in the relevant Commonwealth, state or territory jurisdiction. Verify current local duties and site requirements before use.

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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