Product Overview

This Tile Saw Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a site-ready safety document designed to identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls for the safe use of tile saws on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive, task-specific SWMS that covers multiple aspects of Tile Saw safety and supports ongoing WHS compliance for construction and maintenance projects.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe selection, setup and positioning of electric tile saws on construction sites and in workshop environments
• Use of electric tile saws for cutting ceramic, porcelain, stone and similar tiles in accordance with manufacturer instructions
• Inspection and maintenance of tile saws, guards, power leads and safety features prior to use
• Selection, fitting and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including eye, hearing and respiratory protection
• Control of dust, slurry and potential crystalline silica exposure when cutting tiles
• Management of electrical safety, including RCD use, extension leads, wet environments and prevention of electric shock
• Safe handling, installation and changeover of diamond blades and cutting accessories
• Control of kickback, entanglement and contact with moving blades during cutting operations
• Manual handling of tiles, offcuts and tile boxes to minimise sprains, strains and crush injuries
• Housekeeping around the cutting area, including management of offcuts, slurry, water and slip hazards
• Noise management and communication controls when operating tile saws in occupied or confined work areas
• Emergency procedures for injuries, electrical incidents, blade failure and uncontrolled water leaks

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for tilers, bathroom and kitchen renovators, builders, maintenance teams, and site supervisors who manage or undertake work involving electric tile saws.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on the safe use, inspection and maintenance of powered tile saws as plant
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Relevant where tile saw operation occurs near edges, voids or elevated work areas
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for noise exposure from powered cutting equipment
• Managing the Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Applicable to tile cutting where hazardous substances or cleaning agents are used
• Managing the Risk of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace Code of Practice: Referenced for dust and silica exposure control where applicable to tile cutting
• AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment: Guidance for inspection and testing of portable electric tile saws and leads
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites: Requirements for electrical safety on sites where tile saws are operated