Stock Picking and Shelving Access SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers stock picking and shelving access, including assessing stock and racks, selecting access methods, retrieving items and restoring the area. It supports planning and risk management for work at height, falling stock, access equipment, plant interaction and shelving condition.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the task and inspect the work area
• Assess stock, pallets and rack condition
• Select and position a suitable access method
• Use ladders, platforms, order pickers or EWPs for access
• Access high shelves and retrieve overhead compartment items
• Use pulley retrieval systems where required
• Store materials safely at height
• Fit cupboards at height
• Manage forklift replenishment activities
• Lower items, inspect the area and restore access
• Review the task and complete sign-off

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out stock picking, shelving access and replenishment activities.

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 identify hazards, apply the hierarchy of controls, maintain controls, provide safe access and manage risks from falls, plant and hazardous manual tasks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces (guidance only; check adoption and currency in the relevant jurisdiction). The Code supports eliminating work at height where practicable, then using fall-prevention devices, work-positioning systems or fall-arrest systems.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks (guidance only; check adoption and currency in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (guidance only; check adoption and currency in the relevant jurisdiction). It supports authorised use, pre-start inspections, traffic controls, shutdown procedures and practical training.
• AS 4084:2023 Steel storage racking; AS 2359 series Powered industrial trucks; AS 1418.10 Elevating work platforms; AS/NZS 1891 series Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices; AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders; AS 1892 series Portable ladders; AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding.
• Model WHS laws and model Codes of Practice are guidance documents unless adopted or otherwise given legal effect in the applicable Commonwealth, state or territory jurisdiction.

---

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