Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) provides a structured, step-by-step approach to managing risks associated with pallet wrapping, strapping and packaging machinery to support WHS compliance on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that covers the safe setup, operation and maintenance of a wide range of pallet wrapping, strapping, shrink wrapping and packaging equipment to control risks associated with High Risk Construction Work and warehouse operations.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Applying shrink wrap to pallets and products, including correct positioning, tensioning and safe cutting techniques
• Banding and strapping tasks using plastic or steel strapping to minimise crush, recoil and laceration hazards
• Safe operation of semi-automatic wrapping machines, including loading, start-up, emergency stop and shutdown procedures
• Use of pallet wrappers for securing loads, including turntable operation, guarding, exclusion zones and pinch-point controls
• Operation of automatic pallet wrapping machines, including interlocks, light curtains and safe clearing of jams
• Use of portable strapping machines, including battery charging, ergonomic handling and safe tensioning and sealing
• Operation of shrink wrappers, including film feed, sealing bars, guarding and safe removal of wrapped product
• Use of shrink wrapping heat guns, including heat exposure controls, fire prevention and safe cooling and storage
• Set-up and operation of powered strapping machines, including thread-up, test cycles and lock-out/tag-out for maintenance
• Use of hand-operated strapping tools, including tensioning, sealing and cutting methods to prevent strain and eye injuries
• General use of wrapping machines, including pre-start inspections, housekeeping and safe work area layout
• Wrapping duties involving heat sealing machines, including burn controls, PPE requirements and safe handling of hot components
• Manual handling of pallets, film rolls and strapping materials to reduce musculoskeletal risks
• Management of noise, dust and airborne contaminants from packaging operations where applicable
• Emergency response procedures for entanglement, burns, electrical faults and small fires associated with packaging machinery

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for warehousing and logistics operators, manufacturing facilities, distribution centres, packaging contractors, and site supervisors responsible for pallet wrapping, strapping and packaging machinery operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls for machinery and packaging tasks
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – Requirements for guarding, isolation, inspection and maintenance of pallet wrapping, strapping and packaging machinery
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Controls for lifting, carrying and handling pallets, film rolls and strapping materials
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Applicable where packaging and wrapping machinery generates hazardous noise levels
• AS 4024 Safety of Machinery (series) – Principles for machinery safety, guarding and emergency stop devices relevant to wrapping and strapping equipment
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) – Electrical safety requirements for installation and use of powered packaging machinery
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017