Plasma Cutter SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers plasma-cutting work from reviewing materials and preparing the hot-work area through to cutting, shutdown, fire watch and clean-up. It supports planning and risk management for electric shock, arc radiation, fumes, sparks, hot metal, fire and sharp scrap.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the work, materials and nearby hazards
• Establish and control the hot-work area
• Set ventilation and manage access to the work area
• Position plasma equipment, leads and air hoses
• Inspect the electrical system, torch and consumables
• Secure the workpiece and prepare supports
• Verify readiness before starting the cutting task
• Conduct plasma cutting and manage molten metal
• Handle hot metal and offcuts, respond to faults, then shut down and clean up

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out plasma-cutting 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, including duties to manage risks, consult workers, provide safe plant and systems of work, control hazardous chemicals, noise, electrical risks and workplace facilities.
• Model Code of Practice: Welding Processes (guidance only; confirm adoption and status in the relevant jurisdiction). The Code identifies plasma cutting as an allied process requiring risk control through elimination, isolation, engineering controls and then administrative controls and PPE.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks (guidance only; confirm adoption and status in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace (guidance only; confirm adoption and status in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work (guidance only; confirm adoption and status in the relevant jurisdiction). Plasma arc processes may produce noise in the range of 98–112 dB(A), and the cited model exposure standard is LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) and LC,peak 140 dB(C).
• AS/NZS 60974 series, Arc welding equipment; AS/NZS 3760, In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716, respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1270, hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1337.1, eye and face protectors; AS/NZS 2210.3, safety footwear; AS/NZS 4502, protective clothing for welding; AS 4332, storage and handling of gases in cylinders.
• Where cutting lead-coated metal or paint containing more than 1% lead by dry weight, assess whether lead-process and health-monitoring duties apply under the applicable jurisdictional regulations; plasma arc cutting is identified as a lead process in model-law-based regulations.

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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