Woodworking Saws Operation SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers the setup, operation, adjustment and shutdown of woodworking saws. It supports planning and managing hazards associated with blades, timber, dust, noise, kickback and moving equipment.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Set up the work area and control access
• Inspect saws, guards, blades and electrical condition
• Change blades and tooling
• Inspect and select timber and sheet material
• Set up saws and complete test runs
• Carry out ripping and cross-cutting tasks
• Cut irregular shapes, panels and sheets
• Perform resawing, multi-rip and rough milling tasks
• Use hand-held power cutting equipment
• Clear jams and make adjustments
• Clean up and shut down equipment

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses operating woodworking saws.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011, s19 primary duty of care; s28 duties of workers
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, Part 3.1 Managing risks to health and safety; Part 4.2 Hazardous manual tasks; s56 exposure standard for noise; s204 installation and commissioning of plant; ss205-206 proper use and no unauthorised alteration; s208 guarding; s213 maintenance and inspection of plant
• Managing the risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice, including plant positioning, commissioning, guarding, proper use, isolation and maintenance
• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice, including LAeq,8h 85 dB(A), engineering noise control and audiometric testing where hearing protectors are frequently required
• Sawmilling industry Code of Practice, including top hoods, riving knives, guarding, emergency stops, remote operation, exclusion areas, competent chainsaw use and manual handling controls for timber and saw blades
• AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules for electrical installations associated with plant
• AS/NZS 1269 series Occupational noise management for measurement, assessment and control of noise
• AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment

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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