Product Overview

This Static Line Systems Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for the installation, inspection, use, and maintenance of static line fall arrest systems. It is a comprehensive, pre-filled document that supports High Risk Construction Work at height and helps businesses demonstrate robust WHS compliance across multiple static line activities.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and risk assessment for working at height using static line systems on construction and maintenance sites
• Selection of appropriate static line systems, components, and anchor points based on site conditions and manufacturer specifications
• Safe installation, tensioning, and securing of temporary and permanent static line systems
• Inspection and verification of static line integrity, including pre-use checks, tagging, and defect reporting
• Use of fall arrest harnesses, lanyards, and connecting hardware in conjunction with static lines
• Safe access and egress to roof areas, elevated structures, and leading edges when connected to static lines
• Management of swing-fall, fall distance, and clearance calculations when planning static line attachment points
• Control of dropped objects and protection of workers and the public below static line work zones
• Emergency response planning, including rescue procedures for a suspended worker on a static line system
• Lock-out, isolation, and exclusion zones around static line installation and use areas
• Coordination of multiple workers on a shared static line, including communication and supervision requirements
• Routine maintenance, periodic inspection, and recordkeeping for installed static line systems

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for roofing contractors, height safety installers, maintenance teams, commercial builders, and site supervisors responsible for managing work at height using static line systems.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling fall risks in residential and low-rise construction using systems such as static lines.
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Comprehensive requirements for planning, installing, and using fall prevention and fall arrest systems.
• Construction Work Code of Practice: General WHS duties and risk management requirements for construction activities involving work at height.
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment, and implementation of control measures.
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices: Requirements for selection, use, and maintenance of harnesses, lanyards, and associated fall arrest equipment used with static lines.
• AS/NZS 1891.2 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Horizontal lifeline and rail systems: Specific guidance for the design, installation, and use of static line (horizontal lifeline) systems.
• AS/NZS 1891.4 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Selection, use and maintenance: Instructions for correct use, inspection, and care of fall arrest equipment integrated with static lines.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017