Product Overview

This General Workshop Tasks Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for a wide range of workshop-based vehicle servicing and repair activities. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of general workshop operations to support WHS compliance and safer work practices in Australian automotive and mechanical environments.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe access to high-mounted tail lights using appropriate ladders, platforms, or access equipment
• Accessing vehicle rooftops for inspections, including fall prevention and edge protection measures
• Adjusting headlight alignment while managing vehicle movement, electrical safety, and ergonomic risks
• Attaching and securing mudguards, including safe use of hand and power tools and handling sharp edges
• Carrying out minor mechanical repairs on light and heavy vehicles with correct isolation and lock-out procedures
• Cleaning vehicle exteriors at height using platforms, steps, or scaffolds to minimise fall and slip hazards
• Cleaning windscreens and windshields manually at height with controls for stability, reach, and repetitive strain
• Disassembling vehicle components with safe lifting techniques, tool selection, and component storage
• Engine compartment cleaning, including chemical handling, ventilation, and ignition source control
• Safe use of engine stands, including mounting, rotating, and securing engines to prevent collapse or crush injuries
• Handling hot engine surfaces with appropriate PPE, cooling procedures, and burn prevention controls
• Headlight restoration using chemicals, abrasives, and power tools with eye, skin, and respiratory protection
• Heavy vehicle service and maintenance activities, including jacking, supporting, and working under vehicles
• Installing new car parts with correct manual handling, torqueing, and verification of fitment and function
• Loading and unloading transmissions using jacks, hoists, and lifting aids to control crush, pinch, and strain risks
• General workshop housekeeping, traffic management, and storage of tools and parts to minimise slips, trips, and collisions
• Use of compressed air, hand tools, and power tools in automotive workshop environments

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for automotive workshops, heavy vehicle service centres, mobile mechanics, fleet maintenance operations, and site supervisors responsible for managing general vehicle servicing and repair tasks.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Guidance on safe use, maintenance, and repair of plant and equipment in workshops
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Controls for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and awkward postures during mechanical work
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Requirements for working at height when accessing vehicle roofs and elevated components
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Handling of cleaners, degreasers, solvents, and restoration products
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Selection and use of fall-arrest equipment where applicable
• AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Guidance for the safe use of hoists, jacks, and lifting equipment in workshops
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of machinery – General principles for guarding and safe machinery operation
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017