General Building Residential and Commercial Construction SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers general residential and commercial building construction, from site setup and foundations through to structural work, fitout and demobilisation. It supports planning and risk management by identifying hazards associated with access, services, plant, structures, dust and materials.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Set up the site, complete induction activities and manage access and public exposure
• Plan layouts and materials, including handling and sharp-edge risks
• Manage deliveries, vehicle movements, plant positioning and load movement
• Prepare existing structures while considering services, instability, asbestos, dust and falling debris
• Excavate and form foundations
• Construct frames and courses, including bracing and incomplete-structure risks
• Install structural components and temporary supports
• Install floors, walkways and access around edges and openings
• Cut, drill and fix materials while managing dust, particles, noise and electrical hazards
• Complete services and fitout activities
• Restore or modify structures while considering hidden services and unstable materials
• Inspect, clean and demobilise the site

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out general residential and commercial construction work.

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.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work — use as guidance and confirm whether adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces; Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace; Model Code of Practice: Excavation Work; Model Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace; Model Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos; Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks; Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work; Model Code of Practice: Confined Spaces; Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace — guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in construction and manufacturing of construction elements Code of Practice — guidance only unless adopted in the relevant jurisdiction.
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites; AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment; AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems; AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding; AS/NZS 4994 Temporary edge protection; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1269 and AS/NZS 1270 Occupational noise management and hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1337 Eye and face protection; AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility garments; AS 2550 Cranes—Safe use; AS 1418 Cranes, hoists and winches; AS 4744.1 Earth-moving machinery—Excavation work; AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders.
• Confirm current jurisdictional requirements before issue; model laws and model Codes do not automatically have legal effect in every Australian jurisdiction.

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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