Working on Wet Icy or Slippery Surfaces SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers work undertaken on wet, icy or slippery surfaces, including inspection, treatment and clean-up activities. It supports planning controls for changing surface conditions, access and movement risks.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Assess slippery-surface risks before work
• Set exclusion zones and warnings
• Inspect wet, icy, oily or damaged surfaces
• Manage rain, spray, cold and reduced visibility
• Treat icy walkways and frozen steps
• Manage spills, leaks and water pooling
• Carry out wet cleaning and manage hoses
• Access ramps and stairs safely
• Use tools and leads in wet areas
• Move loads while maintaining visibility and footing
• Monitor conditions, dry the area and sign off

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses working on or managing wet, icy or slippery surfaces.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

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

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011, s19 primary duty of care; s46 consultation.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, regs 34-38 duty to identify hazards, manage risks, maintain and review controls.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, regs 40-41 information, training, instruction and supervision.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, reg 44 provision of personal protective equipment.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, reg 78 management of risk of fall.
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, Part 3.1 general workplace management.
• Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities — housekeeping, floors and surfaces, lighting, access ways and maintenance requirements.
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks — slippery and uneven floors can increase exertion and handling risk.
• Industry guidance recognising wet or oily floors, obstructions, poor lighting, unsuitable footwear and slippery vegetation as common slip hazards, and requiring elimination or minimisation of risks so far as reasonably practicable.
• Guidance that floor surfaces should be inspected regularly, maintained for adequate grip, and cleaned using methods that do not reduce slip resistance.

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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