Product Overview

This Structural Engineering SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify, control, and minimise risks associated with structural engineering work on Australian worksites. It provides detailed, practical controls for multiple aspects of structural engineering operations, helping your business maintain robust WHS compliance and due diligence.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Bridge instrumentation maintenance, including safe access, isolation, and protection of monitoring equipment
• Determining structural safety prior to work, including assessment of visible defects, deformation, and potential collapse risks
• Ensuring structural integrity during all stages of construction, modification, and demolition activities
• Existing structure load-bearing assessments to confirm capacity before adding new loads or making alterations
• Installation of support braces to stabilise beams, columns, and temporary structures
• Manoeuvring support columns using cranes, lifting gear, and mechanical aids with appropriate exclusion zones
• Modification of structural elements during installation, including cutting, drilling, and welding of beams and connections
• Managing the risk of overloading structures or forming systems during construction and temporary works
• Performing inspections of structures and welds, including safe access, hot work controls, and quality verification
• Processing work at leverage or bearing points where concentrated loads and stress changes may occur
• Ensuring proper connection to external structures, including anchors, fixings, and interface details
• Reinforcing structures with additional steel, bracing, or supports to restore or increase capacity
• Setting up load-bearing structures, including propping, shoring, and temporary works design considerations
• Controlling work that may stress materials beyond their elastic limit, including jacking, preloading, and tensioning activities
• Structural alterations to accommodate pipe pathways, penetrations, and service routes without compromising integrity
• Coordination with engineers, principal contractors, and site supervisors to implement and review structural control measures

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for structural engineers, civil engineers, steel erectors, bridge maintenance crews, specialist contractors, and site supervisors involved in structural assessment, modification, and installation works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Construction Work – Managing risks associated with construction and structural activities
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Where access to elevated structures and bridges is required
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – For handling and positioning structural components and equipment
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – For cranes, lifting equipment, and powered tools used in structural works
• AS 4100 Steel structures – Design and structural requirements for steelwork
• AS/NZS 1170 Structural design actions (series) – Minimum design loads and load combinations for structures
• AS 3600 Concrete structures – Design and detailing of reinforced and prestressed concrete elements
• AS 5100 Bridge design (series) – Structural requirements for bridge works and modifications
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017