Product Overview

This Telecommunications Tower SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify, control, and minimise risks associated with construction, maintenance, and access work on telecommunications and broadcast towers. It provides end-to-end coverage of planning, setup, climbing, work positioning, and task execution for tower works to support WHS compliance and safe management of High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe assembly and disassembly of broadcast and telecommunications towers, including staging, sequencing, and stability controls
• Working around live antennas and RF equipment, including exclusion zones and radiofrequency (RF) exposure management
• Planning and permitting of work at height on towers, including SWMS briefings, permits to work, and emergency readiness
• Selection, inspection, and use of fall arrest systems, harnesses, lanyards, anchor points, and tower climbing equipment
• Safe climbing techniques on ladders, rungs, and tower structures, including three‑point contact and controlled ascent/descent
• Establishing and maintaining ground‑level exclusion zones to protect workers and the public from falling objects
• Rigging, lifting, and lowering of tower components, antennas, and hardware using cranes, winches, and haul systems
• Electrical safety when working near power supplies, cabling, and lightning protection systems on towers
• Weather and environmental risk management, including high winds, lightning, heat stress, and remote/isolated work
• Use of communication systems, spotters, and tower rescue plans for effective coordination and emergency response
• Manual handling of tower sections, antennas, and equipment to reduce strain, crush, and pinch injuries
• Inspection, maintenance, and pre‑use checks of tower structures, access systems, and safety devices before work commences

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for telecommunications contractors, broadcast tower erectors, riggers, maintenance technicians, and site supervisors responsible for work on telecommunications and broadcast tower structures.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with work at height on towers and structures
• Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements and controls for working near electrical installations and equipment
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for noise exposure from plant, equipment, and site operations
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe access, amenities, and conditions on remote and elevated worksites
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Provisions for first aid, rescue readiness, and emergency response for tower work
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices: Selection, use, and maintenance of fall‑arrest equipment and systems
• AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation: Safe design and use of access systems on towers and associated structures
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017