Rail Safety SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning rail work, corridor protection, trackside access, rail plant, freight, grinding, vegetation work, crossings, emergencies and demobilisation. It supports planning the work and managing risks from rail movements, plant, uneven ground, materials, dust, fire and public interfaces.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan rail work, contractor interfaces, fatigue considerations and emergency response
• Establish corridor protection and control access to rail areas
• Access trackside work areas over ballast, sleepers and uneven ground
• Complete pre-start checks and move rail plant onsite
• Couple rail carriages and manage movement around pinch points
• Unload freight materials and manage shifting loads
• Conduct rail grinding and manage particles, fire, noise and dust
• Remove trackside vegetation and manage falling branches and overhead contact
• Work near rail lines and manage passing-train hazards
• Manage crossings and rail interfaces with vehicles, pedestrians and the public
• Respond to rail emergencies
• Demobilise, remove obstructions and secure materials and plant

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out rail and trackside work.

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.
• Applicable rail safety legislation, rail accreditation requirements and rail infrastructure manager operating rules for the relevant network.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (guidance only; check jurisdictional adoption).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace, November 2024 (guidance only; check jurisdictional adoption).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work, November 2024 (guidance only; check jurisdictional adoption).
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks (guidance only; check jurisdictional adoption).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities (guidance only; check jurisdictional adoption).
• Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace (guidance only; check jurisdictional adoption).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace (guidance only; check jurisdictional adoption).
• AS 7474 Rail industry — system safety; AS 7501 Rolling stock compliance certification; AS 7502 Road rail vehicles; AS 7522 Access and egress; AS 7531 Rolling stock lighting and visibility; AS 7632 Railway infrastructure — signage; AS 7639 Track structure and support.
• AS/NZS 1269.1 Occupational noise management; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye and face protection; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility garments; AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets.

---

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