Product Overview

This Textile Manufacturing Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a formal WHS management document designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for textile and fabric production activities. It is a comprehensive, task‑specific guide that covers multiple aspects of textile manufacturing, including specialist tasks such as welding sails, to support WHS compliance and effective control of High Risk Construction Work where applicable.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe setup, operation, and shutdown of textile manufacturing plant and machinery
• Selection, inspection, and safe use of sewing machines, overlockers, and industrial fabric cutters
• Handling, storage, and movement of rolls of fabric, textiles, and associated materials to minimise manual handling risks
• Use of mechanical aids (trolleys, lifting devices, hoists) for transporting heavy or bulky textile products
• Control of dust, fibres, and airborne contaminants generated during cutting, trimming, and finishing operations
• Management of noise exposure from high‑speed machinery and associated equipment
• Electrical safety for powered textile equipment, including lockout/tagout during maintenance and cleaning
• Fire and explosion risk management where flammable textiles, solvents, or adhesives are used or stored
• Safe systems of work for welding sails, including preparation, alignment, and securing of sail materials
• Control of welding hazards on textile and sail materials, including heat, fumes, burns, and ignition of flammable fabrics
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for textile production and welding activities, including eye, hand, and respiratory protection
• Housekeeping, waste management, and off‑cut control to prevent slips, trips, and entanglement hazards
• Emergency response procedures for plant incidents, fire, electric shock, and worker injury within textile manufacturing areas

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for textile manufacturers, sailmakers, marine upholstery and canvas fabricators, and site supervisors responsible for overseeing textile production and welding of sails on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on hazard identification, risk assessment, and control implementation in textile manufacturing environments.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – Requirements for ventilation, lighting, amenities, and safe layout in textile production areas.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Controls for textile machinery, cutting equipment, and welding plant used in sail fabrication.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Risk management for lifting, carrying, and handling fabric rolls and sail assemblies.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Applicable to noisy textile machinery and associated equipment.
• Model Code of Practice: Welding Processes – Specific guidance for managing risks associated with welding sails and related metal components.
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment – Reference for electrical safety around powered textile and welding equipment.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017