Rescue from Heights 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
Two Ways to Get Started
✓Free Customisation Service
Upload your logo and company details — we'll customise all your documents automatically.
↓Download & Customise Yourself
Download the Word template and edit directly.
Product Overview
This Rescue from Heights Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a detailed safety planning and procedural document designed to manage the risks associated with emergency response and recovery where work is performed at height. It provides a comprehensive framework for rescue from heights operations, covering multiple aspects of aerial and vertical rescue, emergency planning, and post-fall response to support strong WHS compliance.
Activities & Specific Tasks Covered
This document includes specific risk controls for:
- Development and implementation of an emergency rescue plan for all work at height activities
- Safe planning and execution of aerial rescue using EWP, cranes, or other elevated work platforms
- Emergency rescue from heights following a fall, near miss, or equipment failure
- Establishment of clear communication protocols and rescue roles before commencing work at height
- Rescue and recovery of workers suspended in fall-arrest systems after a fall
- Suspension trauma awareness, early recognition of symptoms, and prevention strategies
- Vertical rescue techniques using ropes, harnesses, and associated height safety equipment
- Selection, inspection, and use of fall-arrest, rescue, and retrieval equipment
- Safe access and egress to and from elevated work areas during normal and emergency conditions
- Coordination with emergency services and site management for complex height rescue scenarios
- Training, competency verification, and drills for workers involved in rescue from heights
- Post-incident review, documentation, and corrective actions following a height-related emergency
Who is this for?
This SWMS is designed for height safety specialists, rope access technicians, EWP operators, construction and maintenance crews, and site supervisors responsible for planning or performing rescue from heights on Australian worksites.
Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered
| Job Step / Activity | Potential Hazards |
|---|---|
| Pre-start planning and coordination |
|
| Rescue team competence and training |
|
| Establish emergency plan at height |
|
| Inspection of anchors and rescue systems |
|
| Pre-use checks of EWP and access equipment |
|
| Suspension trauma prevention and monitoring |
|
| Aerial and vertical rescue setup |
|
| Emergency rescue from heights execution |
|
| Rescue and recovery after fall |
|
| Control of public and site interfaces |
|
| Post-incident review and equipment management |
|
| Routine drills and continuous improvement |
|
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:
- Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling fall risks and planning for rescue at height
- Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid arrangements, including response to suspension trauma and fall-related injuries
- Safe Work Australia – Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice: Consultation duties for developing and implementing rescue from heights procedures
- AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (series): Selection, use, and maintenance of fall-arrest and rescue equipment
- AS/NZS 4488 Industrial rope access systems (series): Requirements for rope access and vertical rescue techniques
- AS 2865 Confined spaces: Referenced where height rescue interfaces with confined or restricted access areas
- 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
Includes all formats + 2 years updates
Safe Work Australia Aligned
Instant Automatic Branding
Instant Download
One-Time Payment
Tax Invoice Provided
Secure SSL Checkout
Rescue from Heights 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
Rescue from Heights SWMS
Product Overview
This Rescue from Heights Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a detailed safety planning and procedural document designed to manage the risks associated with emergency response and recovery where work is performed at height. It provides a comprehensive framework for rescue from heights operations, covering multiple aspects of aerial and vertical rescue, emergency planning, and post-fall response to support strong WHS compliance.
Activities & Specific Tasks Covered
This document includes specific risk controls for:
- Development and implementation of an emergency rescue plan for all work at height activities
- Safe planning and execution of aerial rescue using EWP, cranes, or other elevated work platforms
- Emergency rescue from heights following a fall, near miss, or equipment failure
- Establishment of clear communication protocols and rescue roles before commencing work at height
- Rescue and recovery of workers suspended in fall-arrest systems after a fall
- Suspension trauma awareness, early recognition of symptoms, and prevention strategies
- Vertical rescue techniques using ropes, harnesses, and associated height safety equipment
- Selection, inspection, and use of fall-arrest, rescue, and retrieval equipment
- Safe access and egress to and from elevated work areas during normal and emergency conditions
- Coordination with emergency services and site management for complex height rescue scenarios
- Training, competency verification, and drills for workers involved in rescue from heights
- Post-incident review, documentation, and corrective actions following a height-related emergency
Who is this for?
This SWMS is designed for height safety specialists, rope access technicians, EWP operators, construction and maintenance crews, and site supervisors responsible for planning or performing rescue from heights on Australian worksites.
Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered
| Job Step / Activity | Potential Hazards |
|---|---|
| Pre-start planning and coordination |
|
| Rescue team competence and training |
|
| Establish emergency plan at height |
|
| Inspection of anchors and rescue systems |
|
| Pre-use checks of EWP and access equipment |
|
| Suspension trauma prevention and monitoring |
|
| Aerial and vertical rescue setup |
|
| Emergency rescue from heights execution |
|
| Rescue and recovery after fall |
|
| Control of public and site interfaces |
|
| Post-incident review and equipment management |
|
| Routine drills and continuous improvement |
|
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:
- Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling fall risks and planning for rescue at height
- Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid arrangements, including response to suspension trauma and fall-related injuries
- Safe Work Australia – Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice: Consultation duties for developing and implementing rescue from heights procedures
- AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (series): Selection, use, and maintenance of fall-arrest and rescue equipment
- AS/NZS 4488 Industrial rope access systems (series): Requirements for rope access and vertical rescue techniques
- AS 2865 Confined spaces: Referenced where height rescue interfaces with confined or restricted access areas
- 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