Restricted Spaces and Voids (Ceilings - Subfloors) SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers work in restricted spaces and voids, including ceilings, roof spaces, subfloors and wall cavities. It supports planning, access, isolation, atmospheric checks, work controls, rescue preparation and reinstatement.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work, review site conditions and prepare emergency arrangements
• Set up exclusion areas around access points
• Isolate services and energy sources before work starts
• Assess access routes, openings and structural conditions
• Check atmosphere and ventilation conditions
• Manage asbestos, dust, fibreglass, mould and other contaminants
• Enter and work within ceiling, roof and subfloor spaces
• Carry out crawl work around uneven ground and low headroom
• Work around pipes, ductwork and wall cavities
• Prepare for restricted-space rescue
• Exit the space, clean up and reinstate the area

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out work in restricted spaces and voids.

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, including duties to eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable, provide safe access and exit, manage falls, electrical risks, hazardous chemicals, asbestos and confined spaces.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (November 2024) — identify hazards arising from the work environment, equipment, tasks and substances, then apply the hierarchy of controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — prioritise work on the ground or solid construction, then fall-prevention devices, work-positioning systems and fall-arrest systems; work involving a fall risk over 2 m is high risk construction work.
• Model Code of Practice: Confined spaces — use where the restricted space meets the applicable confined-space definition and entry cannot be avoided.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — isolate, secure against reconnection and verify de-energisation before work near electrical installations.
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace; Model Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestos — avoid disturbance, manage heat and restricted-space risks, and isolate electrical services before asbestos work.
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules); AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites; AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices; AS 1892 Portable ladders; AS/NZS 5532 Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor device used for harness-based work at heights.
• Model Codes of Practice are guidance and may not have legal effect in every jurisdiction; confirm the adopted legislation, regulations, codes and regulator requirements for the work location.

---

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