Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the high-level safety controls, PPE, and step-by-step procedures required to manage hazardous dust, fumes and respiratory risks on site, supporting robust WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of Hazardous Dust, Fumes and Respiratory Hazards, from identification and monitoring through to control, emergency response and worker training.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Assessment and control of airborne dust inhalation risks in indoor and outdoor work areas
• Management of airborne pollutant exposure from construction, demolition, maintenance and plant operations
• Safe methods for burning off, cutting, grinding or abrading materials that release hazardous dusts or fumes
• Carrying out any process that produces fumes, including welding, soldering, heating, spraying and chemical mixing
• Strategies to cope with and minimise harmful dust exposure, including isolation, ventilation and task rotation
• Identification, monitoring and control of airborne contaminants in enclosed, partially enclosed and open workspaces
• Risk controls for diesel fume exposure from vehicles, generators, compressors and other plant
• Safe handling, storage and use of chemicals that generate hazardous fumes or vapours
• Planning and supervision of fume exposure risk tasks, including hot works and solvent use
• Handling, cutting, grinding and installing fibreglass products, including control of airborne fibres
• Management of inhalation hazards from fine particulates, vapours, gases and mists
• Control of toxic emissions from machinery exhausts, including local exhaust ventilation and exclusion zones
• Lead abatement procedures, including removal, encapsulation, decontamination and waste disposal
• Lung-respirable airborne fibre and dust monitoring, including health surveillance and air sampling regimes
• Controls for possible exposure to carbon monoxide from fuel-powered equipment and poorly ventilated spaces
• Selection, fit testing, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) such as disposable and reusable respirators
• Housekeeping, decontamination, laundering and waste management practices to prevent secondary exposure

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for construction and demolition contractors, welders, painters, plant operators, maintenance teams, asbestos/lead and hazardous materials specialists, and site supervisors responsible for managing airborne dust, fumes and respiratory hazards.

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 Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risks from hazardous chemical fumes and vapours
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for ventilation, air quality and safe work environments
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Risk management framework applied to dust, fumes and respiratory hazards
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Relevant to handling and moving hazardous materials that generate dust and fibres
• Safe Work Australia – Guidance on Respiratory Protective Equipment: Selection, use and maintenance of RPE for dusts, fumes and gases
• Safe Work Australia – Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants: Exposure limits and monitoring requirements for dusts, fibres, gases and fumes