Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) provides a structured, step-by-step approach to safely carrying out rural and wire fencing post driving and tensioning activities, helping you maintain strong WHS compliance on every job. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of rural and wire fencing installation, post driving and wire tensioning, from planning and set-up through to testing and completion.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and setting up rural and wire fencing works, including assessment of ground conditions, services and exclusion zones
• Building and maintaining rural fencing lines, including replacement of damaged posts, stays and strainers
• Safe use and operation of post drivers (manual, petrol, hydraulic or machine-mounted) for installing fence posts
• Positioning, aligning and securing fence posts and strainers to ensure correct spacing and structural integrity
• Clipping, tying or stapling fencing wires to timber and steel posts using hand tools and pneumatic staplers
• Adjusting and maintaining correct tension in existing fence lines to prevent sagging and wire failure
• Installation and tensioning of barbed wire, including manual handling, PPE requirements and cut/puncture controls
• Cutting wire or metal fencing components using bolt cutters, grinders or specialised cutting tools with appropriate guarding
• Installation and operation of chain wire fencing machinery and associated guarding, pinch-point and noise controls
• Rural wire and electric fencing installation, including insulators, energisers, earthing systems and warning signage
• Putting up and tensioning electric fencing wires while controlling electrical, entanglement and trip hazards
• Testing electrical fences with approved test equipment and lock-out/tag-out procedures where required
• Manual handling of posts, rolls of wire, star pickets and fencing components to minimise strain and sprain injuries
• Working around mobile plant, vehicles and uneven rural terrain, including traffic management and access controls
• Use of hand and power tools for fencing works, including inspection, maintenance and safe operating practices

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for fencing contractors, rural property owners and managers, farm workers, civil and landscaping crews, and site supervisors involved in rural, wire and electric fencing installation and maintenance.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – where fencing works involve work at height or on uneven embankments
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – for managing risks from lifting posts, wire rolls and repetitive stapling or clipping
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – for use of post drivers, chain wire machines and power tools
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – covering post drivers, chain wire fencing machines and powered tools
• Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace – for installation, operation and testing of electric fencing systems
• Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination – to support communication between fencing crews, principal contractors and landowners
• AS/NZS 3014: Electrical installations – Electric fences and stock barriers – for safe design and installation of electric fencing systems
• AS/NZS 4024 (series): Safety of machinery – for guarding and safe use of chain wire fencing machines and powered post drivers
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017