Warehouse Racking Storage and Stacking Safety SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers warehouse racking, storage, stacking, stock movement and associated inspections. It supports planning and risk management for loads, racks, pallets, plant interaction, access and housekeeping.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan storage methods, load movements and coordination between work groups
• Set work areas to manage pedestrian access, plant interaction and egress
• Inspect plant, tools and access equipment before use
• Inspect racks and pallets for damage, instability and falling-object risks
• Unload incoming stock and pallets while managing vehicle and load movement
• Put stock away in racks while managing load height, rack impact and overhead stock
• Stack floor stock to maintain stability, access and floor loading
• Pick and unstack stock while managing falling items and manual handling
• Monitor rack loading and address overloading risks
• Secure unstable racks while managing collapse and crush risks
• Handle stock in cold-store conditions, including slippery floors and reduced visibility
• Store chemicals and batteries, complete housekeeping and conduct final checks

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out warehouse storage, stacking and stock-handling activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011, ss 19, 28, 46 - primary duty of care, worker duties and consultation requirements. Ground the SWMS in consultation, safe systems of work and coordination with other duty holders.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, Part 3.1 - manage risks to health and safety using the hierarchy of control as reflected in approved codes of practice.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, Chapter 5 and plant provisions including reg 214 - powered mobile plant risks must be controlled. Supported by the Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace.
• Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace - maintain plant inspection and maintenance systems, control mobile plant interactions and isolate defective plant.
• Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks - manage musculoskeletal disorder risks from lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, pulling and shelf stacking tasks.
• Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces - applies to risks from stacking shelves, accessing elevated stock and work from ladders or platforms.
• Code of Practice: Managing risks in stevedoring, section on storage, stowage and securing of cargo - use stable stacks, consider floor capacity, safe access, exclusion zones, hazardous chemical separation and fit-for-purpose dunnage/chocking; principles are directly applicable to warehouse storage and stacking.
• Hazardous chemicals duties under the WHS Regulations and Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace - ensure SDS access, segregation, labelling and spill response where chemicals or batteries are stored or charged.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections