BlueSafe
Ergonomics Repetitive Strain and Posture SWMS

Ergonomics Repetitive Strain and Posture SWMS

  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Ergonomics Repetitive Strain and Posture SWMS

Product Overview

This Ergonomics Repetitive Strain and Posture Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify, control, and minimise the risks of musculoskeletal disorders, repetitive strain injuries, and poor posture in the workplace. It is a comprehensive, task-specific document that covers multiple aspects of ergonomic risk, manual handling and posture management to support WHS compliance and effective risk management.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

  • Arm strain prevention through task rotation, micro-breaks, and ergonomic workstation design
  • Avoidance of repetitive motions by redesigning tasks, using mechanical aids, and varying work methods
  • Safe techniques for bending and lifting repeatedly, including neutral spine positioning and team lifting
  • Bending and shaping materials using jigs, supports, and tools that reduce force and awkward postures
  • Managing risks from bending or leaning awkwardly for long periods with job redesign and adjustable work heights
  • Conscious body posture maintenance through worker training, coaching, and visual reminders
  • Identifying and controlling ergonomic issues during installation tasks in workshops, warehouses, and on-site
  • Preventing overexertion and excessive force by load reduction, mechanical handling, and task planning
  • Minimising wrist and limb stress from extended or awkward reaches and tool use
  • Maintaining ergonomic practices via supervision, consultation, and ongoing review of work methods
  • Safe manual sorting at picking stations, including layout design, reach zones, and pace of work controls
  • Minimising cumulative load risks from often repeated movements and sustained static postures
  • Assessing physical risks from repetitive movements and implementing engineering, administrative, and PPE controls
  • Selection and setup of ergonomic furniture, workstations, and equipment for office, warehouse, and industrial environments
  • Fatigue management strategies related to repetitive, monotonous, or high-force manual tasks

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for employers, PCBUs, safety managers, supervisors, office staff, warehouse and logistics workers, manufacturing and assembly teams, installers, and any workers exposed to repetitive tasks or prolonged static postures.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Job Step / Activity Potential Hazards
Task and workstation assessment
  • • Poor workstation layout
  • • Inadequate task design
  • • Unassessed repetitive task procedures
  • • Unidentified cumulative load risks
  • • Uncontrolled vibration exposure
Redesign of tasks and workflow
  • • Often repeated movements
  • • Repetitive lifting tasks
  • • Overexertion during peak demand
  • • Repetitive bodily movement
  • • Cumulative musculoskeletal load
Workstation layout and design
  • • Risk of overextension reach
  • • Reaching overhead for long periods
  • • Bending or leaning awkwardly for long periods
  • • Extending wrist and limb stress
  • • Ergonomic issues during installation
Provision and adjustment of seating
  • • Unsupported lower back
  • • Static seated posture
  • • Compression of thighs
  • • Inadequate arm support
  • • Neck and shoulder strain
Manual handling and lifting technique
  • • Bending and lifting repeatedly
  • • Preventing back injuries
  • • Overexertion during lifting
  • • Stress and strain injuries
  • • Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders
Tool, equipment and vibration control
  • • Swinging heavy tools
  • • Vibration repetitive strain injuries
  • • Exert excessive force
  • • Extending wrist and limb stress
  • • Physical risks from repetitive movements
Work practices for repetitive tasks
  • • Repetitive motion injuries
  • • Often repeated movements
  • • Repetitive bodily movement
  • • Manual sorting at picking station
  • • Standing for prolonged periods
Posture and body mechanics training
  • • Conscious body posture maintenance
  • • Bending or leaning awkwardly for long periods
  • • Extending wrist and limb stress
  • • Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders
  • • Stress and strain injuries
Job rotation and break management
  • • Cumulative musculoskeletal load
  • • Overexertion
  • • Repetitive lifting tasks
  • • Standing for prolonged periods
  • • Physical risks from repetitive movements
Managing overhead and awkward reach tasks
  • • Reaching overhead for long periods
  • • Risk of overextension reach
  • • Bending or leaning awkwardly for long periods
  • • Arm strain prevention
  • • Overexertion
Material shaping and handling at benches
  • • Bending and shaping materials
  • • Swinging heavy tools
  • • Extending wrist and limb stress
  • • Overexertion
  • • Stress and strain injuries
Monitoring, reporting and early intervention
  • • Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders
  • • Stress and strain injuries
  • • Physical risks from repetitive movements
  • • Overexertion
  • • Repetitive motion injuries
Review of controls and continuous improvement
  • • Uncontrolled ergonomic risks
  • • Outdated work practices
  • • Ineffective control measures
  • • Cumulative musculoskeletal load
  • • Physical risks from repetitive movements

Need to add specific site requirements?

Don't worry if a specific job step isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom job steps at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the hazards and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Managing risks of musculoskeletal disorders from manual handling and repetitive tasks
  • Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Risk management framework for identifying and controlling ergonomic hazards
  • Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – Requirements for safe, ergonomically sound workplaces
  • Safe Work Australia – Guide for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace – Practical guidance on reducing MSD risks
  • AS/NZS ISO 45001 Occupational health and safety management systems – Guidance for systematic WHS and ergonomic risk management
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017

Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)
  • Operational guidelines, with a step-by-step approach to safe work
  • Possible hazards that may be encountered
  • Step-by-step safety procedures to follow
  • Before work starts – Guidelines and Checks
  • Safety measures and guides
  • Operational Safety Checks
  • Before and After Risk Ratings
  • Risk Assessment Matrix
  • High Risk Work Involved
  • Emergency Evacuation Procedure
  • Plant and Equipment
  • Qualifications and Permits
  • Specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Company Personnel Sign-off form

$96.8

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