Working on Roofs SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, access, roof work, changing conditions and close-out for work on roofs. It supports identifying fall, structural, electrical, weather, material-handling and emergency risks when planning the work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan roof work and coordinate site activities
• Set up ground exclusion zones and manage access
• Inspect roof structures, skylights and potential hazards
• Set up access systems and fall-prevention controls
• Position plant and lift roofing materials
• Access, transition to and work on the roof
• Manage openings, penetrations and falling objects
• Monitor weather and environmental conditions
• Respond to a fall emergency
• Clean, demobilise and complete handover

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out roof work.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

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

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable, provide safe access and manage falls from one level to another.
• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS regulations covering high risk construction work and SWMS requirements. A SWMS is generally required where construction work involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 m; confirm the requirements applying in the jurisdiction and at the project.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces. This is guidance unless adopted or otherwise given legal effect in the relevant jurisdiction; it supports the hierarchy of controls, safe access and fall prevention before fall arrest.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work, November 2024. This is guidance unless adopted or otherwise given legal effect in the relevant jurisdiction; it supports site-specific, understandable SWMS preparation, implementation, monitoring and review.
• Work on Roofs – Commercial and Industrial Buildings Code of Practice. Use as roof-work guidance where relevant and adopted; it supports roof inspection, fragile-roof assessment, weather checks, access planning and rescue arrangements.
• AS 1657:2018 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation.
• AS/NZS 1576 series Scaffolding and AS 4576:2020 Guidelines for scaffolding.
• AS/NZS 4994 series Temporary edge protection.
• AS/NZS 4389:2015 Roof safety mesh.
• AS/NZS 1891 series Personal equipment for work at height, including AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 Selection, use and maintenance.
• AS/NZS ISO 22846 series Personal equipment for protection against falls – Rope access systems, where industrial rope access is selected.
• AS 2550.10 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms, where an EWP is used.

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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