Product Overview

This Industrial Workshop Lifting Jacks and Hoists SWMS is a pre-written Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls when using lifting jacks and hoists in industrial workshop environments. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of industrial lifting operations to support WHS compliance and effective risk management on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe selection and inspection of floor jacks, bottle jacks and trolley jacks before use
• Correct positioning and operation of floor jacks to prevent vehicle or load instability
• Use of jacks for lifting vehicles, plant and equipment, including identifying approved jacking points
• Use of mechanical hoists and lifting devices for raising and lowering heavy components
• Setting up and operating workshop hoists, including two-post and four-post vehicle hoists
• Use of stands, cribbing and secondary supports to prevent crush injuries if a jack or hoist fails
• Managing pinch points, suspended loads and exclusion zones around jacks and hoists
• Manual handling techniques when positioning jacks, hoist arms and lifting accessories
• Lock-out, tag-out and isolation procedures when maintaining or repairing hoists and jacks
• Inspection, maintenance and removal from service of damaged or defective lifting equipment
• Safe use of lifting attachments such as adaptors, pads, slings and chains used with hoists
• Housekeeping and workshop layout to minimise trip hazards around hoists, jacks and raised vehicles

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for automotive workshops, heavy vehicle and fleet maintenance, mechanical repairers, industrial maintenance teams, and site supervisors responsible for managing lifting operations with jacks and hoists.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Guidance on managing risks associated with manual handling when positioning and operating jacks and hoists.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements and controls for the safe use, inspection and maintenance of lifting plant such as jacks and hoists.
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls for lifting operations.
• AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (relevant parts): Provides guidance on safe use and operation of hoists and similar lifting equipment.
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of machinery (relevant parts): Principles for machinery safety that apply to powered hoists and workshop lifting equipment.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017