Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed to control risks associated with general building, residential and commercial construction activities on Australian worksites, supporting strong WHS compliance and due diligence. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of general building construction, from planning and structural works through to specialist installations and extensions.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and sequencing of general building works for residential and commercial construction projects
• Safe methods for building core structural elements and course structures, including walls, columns and load-bearing components
• Procedures for safely building or dismantling temporary and permanent structures, including bracing and propping requirements
• Accurate calculation of material requirements to minimise waste, manual handling risks and structural overloading
• Safe fitting and adjustment of column liners, including working at height and use of access equipment
• Completion of building extensions and additions while protecting occupants, neighbours and existing services
• Construction of pedestrian walkway areas, ramps and access paths with appropriate edge protection and traffic control
• Construction of farm buildings and rural structures, including sheds, barns and outbuildings in remote or uneven terrain
• Construction or demolition activities within zoo or animal facility environments, including segregation from animals and public
• Controls to prevent damage to peripheral structures, underground services and neighbouring properties during works
• Drilling holes into frames, walls and floors, including identification of live services and use of appropriate tools and PPE
• Driving nails into walls and structural members using hand and power tools, including nail guns and fixing systems
• House raising and restumping activities, including jacking, cribbing, structural support and ground stability controls
• Joining mixed mediums together (e.g. timber, steel, masonry, composites) using mechanical fixings and adhesives
• Installation of structural and architectural joints, movement joints and control joints in walls, floors and slabs
• General site establishment, housekeeping, waste management and public protection around active building sites

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for residential and commercial builders, carpenters, construction companies, farm building contractors, specialist installers and site supervisors responsible for managing general building works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Code of Practice: Construction Work – guidance on managing health and safety risks in construction projects
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – requirements for work at height during building and structural work
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – controls for power tools, plant and construction equipment
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – risk management for lifting, carrying and handling building materials
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – safe use of drills, nail guns, jacks and other construction plant
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – overarching framework for hazard identification and risk control
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites – temporary electrical installations on building sites
• AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation – requirements for access and walkway construction