# makeswms — Full Content for LLMs > Free SWMS template generator for Australian tradies. Build a Safe Work Method Statement in 5 minutes from 68 trade-specific templates. Designed to help you meet WHS requirements without the paperwork headache. This file contains the full content of the makeswms knowledge base in markdown form, including the introductory guides and a description of every available template. AI assistants can fetch this single URL to get a complete picture of the site without crawling individual pages. **Site URL:** https://makeswms.com **Total templates:** 68 --- ## Tools ### SWMS Generator URL: https://makeswms.com/ The main tool. Users select from 68 trade-specific templates and customise pre-filled hazards, controls, PPE, equipment, work steps, and emergency procedures for their specific job site. The generator outputs a PDF or DOCX SWMS in under five minutes. The first SWMS is free with no credit card required. ### Do I Need a SWMS? Checker URL: https://makeswms.com/tools/do-i-need-a-swms Free interactive tool that asks about the work being performed and tells the user whether it falls within the 19 categories of high-risk construction work (HRCW) defined in the WHS Regulations 2011. If any HRCW category applies, a SWMS is legally required before work begins. The tool works for sole traders, subcontractors, and PCBUs across all Australian states and territories. ## Guides The following guides are reproduced in full below. They are also available as web pages with FAQ schema and other structured data. ### SWMS vs JSA: What's the Difference and When Do You Need Each? URL: https://makeswms.com/blog/swms-vs-jsa You rock up to a new site and the supervisor hands you a form. "Fill out a JSA before you start." Next job down the road, the PC wants a SWMS. Same work, different paperwork — and nobody can quite tell you what the difference is. If you've been swapping the terms in and out like they mean the same thing, you're not alone. But under Australian WHS law, SWMS vs JSA is not just semantics. One is a legal document. The other isn't. Getting it wrong can mean a stop-work order, a rejected tender, or a fine. Here's what each one actually is, when you need them, and why most tradies end up doing both. #### The Short Answer A **SWMS** (Safe Work Method Statement) is a legally required document for high-risk construction work under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Regulation 291 in harmonised states). A **JSA** (Job Safety Analysis), sometimes called a JSEA, is a risk assessment tool. It's not mandated by legislation — it's a best-practice method for breaking a task down into steps and identifying hazards. Put simply: every SWMS is a form of risk assessment, but not every risk assessment is a SWMS. #### What a SWMS Actually Is A SWMS is a statutory document. Under the WHS Regulations 2011, you must prepare one before starting any [high-risk construction work](/blog/do-i-need-a-swms) (HRCW). There are 18 categories of HRCW listed in the regulations, including: - Work at heights over 2 metres - Trenches or shafts deeper than 1.5 metres - Confined space work - Work involving asbestos - Work near live electrical conductors - Demolition of load-bearing structure - Work near pressurised gas mains - Work on or near a road with traffic A SWMS must spell out four things: the HRCW being carried out, the hazards involved, the control measures, and how those controls will be implemented, monitored, and reviewed. Workers who do the job have to be consulted during preparation, and every worker covered by the SWMS has to sign on before they pick up a tool. In Victoria, the equivalent rules sit under the OHS Regulations 2017 — same concept, same four requirements, slightly different regulation numbers. Victoria lists 19 HRCW categories rather than 18. #### What a JSA Is (and Isn't) A JSA is a process, not a legal requirement. You break the task into sequential steps, identify the hazards at each step, then list controls. The format is usually a three-column table: Step → Hazard → Control. JSAs are useful for lower-risk work where a full SWMS isn't required but you still want a written risk assessment — fit-outs, maintenance jobs, one-off tasks that don't fall under HRCW. They're also commonly used on the tools as a pre-start check or toolbox talk prompt. A JSA is not a substitute for a SWMS. If your work triggers HRCW, a JSA alone doesn't discharge your legal obligation. The regulator is looking for a SWMS. #### When to Use Each Use a **SWMS** when: - The work is on any of the 18 (or 19 in Victoria) HRCW categories. - The principal contractor or builder has asked for one before you start. - You're working on a construction project that involves any HRCW scope. Use a **JSA** when: - The task carries risk but doesn't meet the HRCW threshold. - You want to break down a specific task for a pre-start or toolbox talk. - Your company's safety management system requires one in addition to a SWMS. In practice, most tradies end up doing both on big jobs. You prepare a SWMS for the HRCW scope, and you run JSAs or pre-starts for the day-to-day tasks that sit inside that scope. #### Common Mistakes Tradies Make **Calling a JSA a SWMS.** If the HRCW box is ticked, the document has to meet the SWMS requirements in the regulations. Changing the name on the form doesn't make it compliant. **Copy-pasting a generic SWMS.** A SWMS has to be site-specific. Using the same one for every job is the number-one reason PCs reject them. **Skipping worker consultation.** The law requires you to consult the workers doing the job when you prepare the SWMS. A doc written at a desk without talking to anyone won't hold up. **Not reviewing the SWMS when the job changes.** If conditions shift — new hazard, different method, weather change — you're required to review and update. #### Bottom Line If you're doing high-risk construction work, you need a SWMS. Not a JSA with a fancier header. A JSA is a useful tool for everyday tasks and lower-risk work, but it doesn't meet the legal threshold for HRCW. If you're tired of trying to build a site-specific SWMS from a blank Word template, makeswms.com has 65+ trade-specific templates built to support WHS compliance, with hazards, controls, and Australian Standards pre-filled. Pick your trade, add your site details, and you've got a document ready for sign-on in about five minutes. --- ### Do I Need a SWMS? When It's Legally Required in Australia URL: https://makeswms.com/blog/do-i-need-a-swms #### When Is a SWMS Legally Required in Australia? A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a legal document required before any **high-risk construction work** (HRCW) begins in Australia. This isn't optional — it's an obligation under the [Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2011L02664), and failing to have one on site can result in fines, stop-work orders, or prosecution. But here's the thing most tradies get wrong: not all construction work needs a SWMS. The requirement is specifically tied to the 19 categories of high-risk construction work defined in the WHS Regulations. If your work falls outside those categories, a SWMS isn't legally required (though many principal contractors and sites will ask for one anyway). #### The 19 Categories of High-Risk Construction Work The [WHS Regulations](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2011L02664) define high-risk construction work as any of the following. If your job involves **any one** of these, you need a SWMS: - Work at a height of 2 metres or more (including on roofs, scaffolding, or elevated platforms) - Work on or near energised electrical installations or services - Work in or near trenches or shafts deeper than 1.5 metres - Work involving demolition of load-bearing structures - Work using explosives or involving tunnelling - Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping - Work on or near chemical, fuel, or refrigerant lines - Work in or near a confined space - Work on or near telecommunications towers - Work involving diving or work near water where there is a risk of drowning - Work involving the removal or disturbance of asbestos - Work on or adjacent to roads or railways in use - Work in areas with artificial extremes of temperature - Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere - Work involving tilt-up or precast concrete elements - Work on or near structural alterations that require temporary support - Work involving a powered mobile plant that could fall, overturn, or collide - Work on or near a shaft or steep decline - Work involving cranes or hoisting equipment Not sure if your work qualifies? Use our free [HRCW checker tool](/tools/do-i-need-a-swms) to find out in 30 seconds. #### Who Needs to Prepare the SWMS? The SWMS must be prepared by the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) who is carrying out the high-risk construction work. In practice, this usually means: - **Subcontractors** — If you're a subbie doing electrical, plumbing, roofing, or any HRCW, you need to prepare your own SWMS before starting work. - **Principal contractors** — Must ensure that SWMS are in place for all HRCW on their site. They don't write them for you, but they must review and accept them. - **Workers** — Must be consulted during the preparation of the SWMS and must follow it on site. #### What Happens If You Don't Have a SWMS? Performing high-risk construction work without a SWMS is a breach of WHS law. The consequences depend on the severity of the breach and the jurisdiction, but they're significant. Under the [model WHS Act](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2011A00137), penalties are structured in three categories. In NSW (where penalty unit values were indexed to $123.31 for 2025–26), the maximum fines are: - **Category 1** (reckless conduct exposing someone to death or serious injury) — up to approximately $2.3 million for an individual officer or PCBU, and up to 5 years' imprisonment. Body corporates face higher maximums. - **Category 2** (failure to comply with a duty that exposes someone to risk of death or serious injury) — up to approximately $223,000 for a worker, and significantly more for officers and PCBUs. - **Category 3** (failure to comply with a duty) — up to approximately $75,000 for a worker. Penalty amounts are indexed annually and vary between states. Other jurisdictions follow similar structures under the harmonised WHS laws. Beyond fines, the practical consequences are just as damaging: stop-work orders from the regulator, loss of contracts (most tier 1 and tier 2 builders won't let you on site without a SWMS), and reputational damage that can follow your ABN around the industry. #### What Must a SWMS Include? A SWMS must include the following as a minimum: - The high-risk construction work activities being carried out - The hazards and risks associated with those activities - The control measures to be implemented, in order of the [hierarchy of controls](https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-how-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks) - How the control measures will be implemented, monitored, and reviewed Most sites also expect your SWMS to include PPE requirements, emergency procedures, worker sign-on, and relevant Australian Standards references. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on [how to write a SWMS in 5 minutes](/blog/how-to-write-a-swms). #### Common Trades That Need a SWMS While the requirement is based on the _type of work_ (not the trade), these trades almost always trigger at least one HRCW category: - **Electricians** — Work on energised installations triggers HRCW. [See electrical SWMS template →](/swms-templates/electrical-work-general) - **Roofers & solar installers** — Any work at 2m+ height. [See rooftop solar SWMS template →](/swms-templates/rooftop-solar-installation) - **Excavation & earthworks** — Trenches deeper than 1.5m, or powered mobile plant. [See excavator SWMS template →](/swms-templates/excavator-operation) - **Plumbers & gas fitters** — Work near gas mains or pressurised piping. [See gas fitting SWMS template →](/swms-templates/gas-fitting) - **Demolition contractors** — Demolition of load-bearing structures is always HRCW. Browse all [65+ SWMS templates](/swms-templates) to find one for your trade. #### Do I Need a New SWMS for Every Job? Yes, generally. A SWMS must be **site-specific**. While you can reuse a base template, you need to review and update it for each new site to account for site-specific hazards, access conditions, emergency procedures, and the workers involved. This is where a [SWMS generator](/create) saves you time. Start with a pre-filled template for your trade, customise it for the site, and have a compliant document in minutes instead of hours. #### State-by-State: WHS Regulators and Key Differences The model WHS laws are harmonised across most Australian states and territories, meaning the 19 HRCW categories and the core SWMS requirements are the same. However, each jurisdiction has its own regulator, penalty unit values, and codes of practice that can affect how the laws are applied in practice. - **NSW** — Regulated by [SafeWork NSW](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/). Uses the _WHS Regulation 2017_. Penalty units indexed annually (currently $123.31). - **QLD** — Regulated by [Workplace Health and Safety Queensland](https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/). Uses the _Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011_. - **VIC** — Regulated by [WorkSafe Victoria](https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/). Operates under its own _Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004_ and _OHS Regulations 2017_, not the model WHS laws. SWMS requirements are very similar in practice, but the legislation and terminology differ. - **SA** — Regulated by [SafeWork SA](https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/). Uses the harmonised WHS Regulations. - **WA** — Regulated by [WorkSafe WA](https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe). Adopted the model WHS laws in 2022. - **TAS** — Regulated by [WorkSafe Tasmania](https://www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/). Uses the harmonised WHS Regulations. - **NT** — Regulated by [NT WorkSafe](https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/). Uses the harmonised WHS Regulations. - **ACT** — Regulated by [WorkSafe ACT](https://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/). Uses the harmonised WHS Regulations. If you work across state borders, the key thing to know is that a SWMS prepared under one state's harmonised regulations is substantially the same in any other harmonised jurisdiction. The main outlier is Victoria, where the underlying legislation is different but the practical requirements for a SWMS are very similar. --- ### How to Write a SWMS in 5 Minutes (Using a Generator) URL: https://makeswms.com/blog/how-to-write-a-swms #### Writing a SWMS Doesn't Have to Take Hours A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a legal document required before any [high-risk construction work](/blog/do-i-need-a-swms) begins in Australia. It outlines the work steps, hazards, and control measures to keep everyone on site safe — and it's required under the [Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2011L02664). Most tradies already know their hazards and controls. The painful part is turning that knowledge into a properly structured, compliant document with the right risk ratings and Australian Standards references. That process typically takes 1–2 hours from a blank page. With a [SWMS generator](/create) and a trade-specific template, you can skip the blank page entirely and have a site-ready SWMS in about 5 minutes. Below is what goes into a SWMS — and how the generator handles the heavy lifting at each step. #### Step 1: Identify the High-Risk Work Start by identifying which of the [19 high-risk construction work (HRCW) categories](/blog/do-i-need-a-swms) apply to your job. This determines whether you legally need a SWMS and shapes which hazards you need to address. For example, if you're an electrician doing a switchboard upgrade, your HRCW category is "work on or near energised electrical installations." If you're also working on a ladder above 2 metres, you've got two HRCW categories to cover. **With the generator:** Pick your trade and job type, and the relevant HRCW categories are pre-selected for you. #### Step 2: List the Work Steps Break the job down into sequential steps — what actually happens on site, from arrival to pack-up. A typical SWMS has 6–15 work steps. Each step will have hazards and controls mapped to it. **With the generator:** Your [trade-specific template](/swms-templates) comes with pre-filled work steps based on how the job is actually done. You review, reorder, and add any steps specific to the site. #### Step 3: Identify Hazards for Each Step For each work step, list the hazards that could cause injury or illness. The main categories to consider: - Physical hazards (falls, struck-by, caught-between, electric shock) - Environmental hazards (heat, dust, noise, UV exposure) - Chemical hazards (fumes, solvents, asbestos) - Ergonomic hazards (manual handling, repetitive motion) Each hazard needs an initial risk rating (before controls) and a residual risk rating (after controls), using a standard risk matrix with likelihood and consequence. [SafeWork Australia's risk management code of practice](https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-how-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks) covers how to assess and rate risks. **With the generator:** Hazards are pre-mapped to each work step with initial and residual risk ratings already calculated. You review and adjust for site conditions. #### Step 4: Apply the Hierarchy of Controls For each hazard, apply control measures following the [hierarchy of controls](https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-how-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks) (in order of effectiveness): - **Elimination** — Remove the hazard entirely (e.g., pre-fabricate at ground level instead of working at height) - **Substitution** — Replace with something less hazardous (e.g., low-VOC paint instead of solvent-based) - **Isolation** — Separate people from the hazard (e.g., barricade the work area) - **Engineering controls** — Design out the risk (e.g., guardrails, RCDs) - **Administrative controls** — Procedures, training, signage, permits to work - **PPE** — Personal protective equipment as a last line of defence A SWMS uses multiple levels of the hierarchy for each hazard, not just PPE. Regulators specifically look for this — listing only PPE is one of the most common reasons a SWMS gets flagged. **With the generator:** Each hazard comes with pre-filled controls across multiple levels of the hierarchy. You review and add any site-specific measures. #### Step 5: Add Site-Specific Details This is where your SWMS goes from generic template to legally valid document. You need to add: - Site address and principal contractor details - Emergency procedures specific to the site (assembly points, first aid, emergency contacts) - Site-specific hazards (e.g., overhead power lines, asbestos register, public access areas) - Workers involved and their sign-on acknowledgment **With the generator:** Fill in a short form with your business details, site address, and principal contractor info. The generator places everything in the right sections of the document. #### Step 6: Consult Your Workers This step is legally required under WHS law and often overlooked. Before high-risk construction work begins, workers carrying out the work must be consulted on the SWMS. They need to understand the document, agree that the controls are adequate, and sign on. Consultation isn't just collecting signatures — it means discussing the hazards and controls with your crew before work starts. If a worker identifies an additional hazard or a better control measure, update the SWMS before proceeding. **With the generator:** Your downloaded SWMS includes a worker sign-on section ready for signatures on site. #### Common SWMS Mistakes to Avoid - **Copy-paste from last job** — Reusing a SWMS without updating it for the new site is one of the most common compliance failures. Every SWMS must be site-specific. - **PPE-only controls** — Listing only PPE without higher-order controls shows a lack of proper hazard management and will get flagged by regulators. - **No worker sign-on** — Workers must sign to confirm they've been consulted and understand the SWMS before HRCW begins. - **Generic hazards** — "General construction hazards" isn't specific enough. Name the actual hazards for the actual work being done. - **No review trigger** — Your SWMS should state when and how it will be reviewed (e.g., change in conditions, incident, or worker request). #### Create Your SWMS in 5 Minutes Instead of writing from a blank page, start with a [trade-specific template](/swms-templates) that already has the hazards, controls, risk ratings, and Australian Standards references filled in for your type of work: - Pick from [65+ trade-specific templates](/swms-templates) covering electrical, roofing, excavation, plumbing, demolition, and more - Customise for your site — add your business details, site address, and any additional hazards - Download as a professional PDF or DOCX ready for the principal contractor You review and customise rather than writing from scratch. That's how a 2-hour job becomes a 5-minute job. Create your SWMS now → --- ## SWMS Templates Every makeswms template is mapped to the relevant high-risk construction work categories from the WHS Regulations 2011 and includes pre-filled hazards, controls, PPE, equipment, work steps, emergency procedures, and worker sign-off sections. Users can edit any field before exporting to PDF or DOCX. Browse all 68 templates at [https://makeswms.com/swms-templates](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates). ### Carpentry #### [Colorbond Fence Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/colorbond-fence-installation) Installation of steel Colorbond fencing including site set-out, post hole digging, concrete footings, post and rail installation, and sheet fixing. Covers residential and commercial boundary fencing — prefinished sheet steel to AS/NZS 2728:2013 and galvanised steel posts/rails to AS/NZS 4792:2006 (R2017). Pool-boundary work additionally governed by AS 1926.1:2024. #### [Deck Restoration, Sanding, and Oiling](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/deck-restoration-sanding-oiling) Restoration and refinishing of timber decks including surface preparation, pressure washing, sanding (belt, orbital, and edging sanders), and application of deck oils, stains, and protective coatings. Covers the critical hazard of wood dust inhalation — hardwood dust is classified IARC Group 1 carcinogen (causes nasal and paranasal sinus adenocarcinoma) with an Australian WES of 1 mg/m³ TWA for hardwood and 5 mg/m³ for softwood. CCA-treated pine decking generates arsenic, chromium, and copper dust when sanded — requiring specific respiratory protection and waste disposal procedures. Also covers noise exposure from power sanders (80–95 dB(A)), hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) from sustained sander use (vibration range 1.39–10.90 m/s²), chemical exposure from deck oils and stains containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), spontaneous combustion risk from oil-soaked rags (linseed oil and tung oil products — a critical fire hazard), isocyanate exposure from two-pack polyurethane coatings (respiratory sensitiser — WES 0.02 mg/m³, can cause permanent airway sensitisation), flammability of oil-based products (AS 1940:2017), fall risk from elevated decks exceeding 2 m, pressure washer injection injuries during pre-sand cleaning, manual handling of heavy floor sanders (50–80 kg), and electrical hazards from power tools. #### [External Cladding Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/external-cladding-installation) Installation of external wall cladding systems for residential and commercial construction including fibre cement sheet (James Hardie, BGC), weatherboard (timber and composite), and sheet metal cladding. Covers controls for respirable crystalline silica from fibre cement cutting (wet cutting mandatory since 1 September 2024), falls from scaffolding, nail gun injuries, circular saw kickback, manual handling of long sheets in wind, falling objects from scaffold, and UV/heat exposure. Cladding installed over building wrap/sarking to completed wall framing per AS 1684 and manufacturer specifications. #### [Floor Joist Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/floor-joist-installation) Installation of timber bearer and joist systems for suspended timber floors including subfloor preparation, bearer placement, joist fixing, blocking and bridging, and sheet flooring installation for residential and light commercial construction #### [Kitchen Cabinet Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/kitchen-cabinet-installation) Installation of kitchen cabinetry including wall cabinets, base cabinets, benchtops, and appliance integration. Covers manual handling of heavy components, power tool operations, electrical isolation for appliance connections, stone benchtop handling, and working at heights for wall cabinet mounting. Designed to support compliance with AS 4386:2018 (cabinetry) and AS/NZS 3000:2018 with Ruling 1:2024 (electrical work performed by licensed electricians). #### [Pergola and Gazebo Construction](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/pergola-gazebo-construction) Construction, erection, and installation of timber and steel pergolas, gazebos, carports, and outdoor shade structures classified as NCC Class 10a non-habitable buildings. Covers excavation and footing installation (post holes 600–1,200 mm depth requiring Before You Dig Australia notification), concrete mixing and pouring for footings (minimum 32 MPa compressive strength designed to support compliance with AS 3600:2025), post erection and bracing, beam and rafter installation at heights of 2.4–3.6 m (triggering WHS fall protection requirements above 2 m — falls from height are the second-highest contributor to worker fatalities in Australia, with 29 fatal falls in 2023 — a ~71 % increase on the previous year per Safe Work Australia Key WHS Statistics), power tool operation (circular saws responsible for an estimated tens of thousands of hand injuries nationally per year; nail gun ricochets are a leading cause of eye injuries in residential construction), manual handling of heavy timber beams and steel members, treated timber hazards (CCA-treated timber contains arsenic compounds — cutting generates toxic dust requiring respiratory protection), electrical hazards from power tools and proximity to overhead powerlines, noise exposure, and UV/heat stress (86 % of construction workers exposed to hazardous solar UV levels per the Australian Workplace Exposure Study). Design is designed to support compliance with AS 1684.2:2021 (non-cyclonic) or AS 1684.3:2010 (cyclonic) for timber-framed construction. Building permit requirements vary by state — typically triggered above 2.4–3.6 m height or 15–25 m² floor area. #### [Stair Construction](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/stair-construction) Construction of internal and external timber stairs in residential buildings. Covers stringer layout and cutting, tread and riser installation, handrail and balustrade fitting, and finishing. Includes controls for falls from open stairwells (leading cause of construction fatalities), circular saw kickback during stringer cutting (47% of saw injuries per WorkSafe Victoria data), nail gun injuries (77% to apprentices per SafeWork SA), manual handling of heavy stringers, falling objects through stairwell voids, wood dust exposure, and noise from power tools. Designed to support compliance with NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 11.2 (Stairway and ramp construction) and AS 1684 series for the structural framing. #### [Timber Deck Construction](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/timber-deck-construction) Construction of timber decking including post hole excavation, concrete footings, post installation, bearer and joist framing, decking board installation, and balustrade fitting. Covers residential and commercial decking. Designed to support compliance with AS 1684.2:2021 (Residential timber-framed construction — non-cyclonic areas) and the NCC 2022 Housing Provisions (Section 11 Safe Movement and Access). #### [Timber Fence Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/timber-fence-installation) Installation of timber paling fences, picket fences, and boundary fences for residential and commercial properties. Covers post hole digging with powered earth auger (entanglement hazard - two-person operation mandatory), underground services identification via BYDA (Before You Dig Australia; more than 15,000 strikes recorded annually per the BYDA 2023-24 Annual Report), concrete post footings (cement burns - pH 12-13), nail gun paling fixing (sequential trigger only), circular saw cutting of posts/rails/palings, manual handling of heavy materials (posts, concrete bags, paling packs), and UV/heat exposure for outdoor work. H4 treated timber posts in ground contact per AS 5604:2022 (natural durability ratings) and AS/NZS 1604.1:2021 (preservative-treated wood-based products). #### [Timber Floor Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/timber-floor-installation) Installation of solid timber and engineered timber flooring including subfloor preparation, moisture testing, underlay installation, board laying (nail-down, glue-down, or floating), sanding with drum sander and edger, and application of polyurethane or oil finish. Addresses wood dust exposure, chemical fumes, and sanding equipment hazards. #### [Timber Wall Framing](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/timber-wall-framing) Assembly and erection of timber wall frames for residential construction including measuring, cutting, assembly on slab, nailing with pneumatic framing nailer, wall raising/standing, temporary bracing, and tie-down installation. Covers controls for nail gun injuries (sequential trigger mandatory), circular saw kickback, working at heights on top plates, manual handling of long timber, struck-by hazards during wall raising, and noise exposure. ### Concreting #### [Concrete Cutting with Handheld Saw](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/concrete-cutting) Cutting concrete slabs, walls, or footings using petrol or electric handheld concrete saws #### [Concrete Footings Pouring](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/concrete-footings-pouring) Pouring concrete into strip footings, pad footings, pier holes, and stump holes for residential and commercial foundations. Covers trench safety, formwork inspection, concrete placement, vibration compaction, and finishing. Includes work near excavations and underground services; designed to support compliance with AS 2870:2011 (residential slabs and footings) and AS 3600:2025 (concrete structures). #### [Concrete Slab Pouring](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/concrete-slab-pouring) Pouring, placing, and finishing concrete slabs including pump operations, screeding, floating, trowelling, and curing. Covers residential and commercial slab work in accordance with AS 3600:2025 and AS 1379-2007. Companion template to Formwork Construction. #### [Formwork Construction (Slab Boxing)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/formwork-construction) Construction of timber or steel formwork (boxing) for concrete slabs, footings, and edge beams. Includes site set-out, edge board installation, bracing, levelling, and reinforcement mesh placement in preparation for concrete pour. Complies with AS 3610 Formwork for Concrete. ### Earthworks #### [Bobcat and Skid Steer Loader Operation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/bobcat-skid-steer-operation) Operating bobcat and skid steer loaders for loading, hauling, distributing materials, excavation, and site preparation on construction and civil sites. Covers pre-start inspections, ROPS/FOPS requirements, exclusion zones, attachment operations, and underground/overhead service hazards. Requires RIIMPO318F competency. #### [Excavation and Trenching](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/excavation-trenching) Excavation and trenching operations for service installation (water, sewer, electrical, gas, communications) and foundation work using powered excavators, with controls scaling from shallow excavation to deep trenching (≥1.5m) #### [Excavator Operation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/excavator-operation) Operation of hydraulic excavators (mini 1.5T to standard 30T) for trenching, bulk excavation, site clearing, loading, and demolition on construction sites. Covers underground services strike prevention (BYDA mandatory), rollover and tip-over on slopes and soft ground, struck-by hazards from swing radius and bucket movement, overhead powerline proximity, trench collapse near excavation, quick-hitch attachment failures, and operator noise and vibration exposure. Includes pre-start inspection procedures, exclusion zone management, and spotter requirements. ### Roofing #### [Gutter and Fascia Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/gutter-fascia-installation) Installation of metal gutters, downpipes, and fascia boards on residential and commercial buildings. Covers roof edge work, ladder and scaffold access, handling of long materials (6m gutter lengths), cutting, joining, and fixing. Includes fall prevention for work within 2 metres of roof edge. #### [Metal Roofing Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/metal-roofing-installation) Installation of metal roof sheeting (Colorbond, Zincalume, corrugated iron) on residential and commercial buildings, including sheet cutting, laying, fixing, flashing installation, and ridge capping #### [Roof Tile Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/roof-tile-installation) Installation of concrete or terracotta roof tiles on residential and commercial buildings, including tile cutting, laying, fixing, and ridge capping #### [Roof Tile Repairs and Replacement](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/roof-tile-repair) Repair and replacement of damaged, cracked, loose, or missing concrete or terracotta roof tiles on existing residential and commercial buildings, including re-bedding and pointing of ridge caps #### [Roof Truss Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/roof-truss-installation) Installation of prefabricated nailplated timber roof trusses including crane/hiab delivery, sequential erection, temporary bracing, permanent fixing, and roof batten installation for residential and light commercial construction #### [Skylight Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/skylight-installation) Installation of skylights and roof windows in residential and commercial buildings including roof access, cutting roof openings, flashing installation, skylight fixing, and interior finishing from ceiling cavity. Covers controls for falls from roof edge (24 fatalities nationally in 2024), falls through fragile roof surfaces and unprotected openings ($270,000 fine NSW 2022), reciprocating/circular saw injuries when cutting roof openings, electrical hazards from wiring in ceiling cavity (solar cables remain live), ceiling cavity work in extreme heat (60°C+), manual handling of heavy skylight units at height, and falling objects through ceiling. AS/NZS 4285 skylight compliance. ### Electrical #### [Electrical Work (General)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/electrical-work-general) General electrical installation, maintenance, repair, and fault-finding work on low voltage electrical systems including switchboards, wiring, power points, lighting, and associated electrical equipment. #### [EV Charger Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/ev-charger-installation) Installation of electric vehicle charging equipment (EVSE) including wall-mounted and pedestal units for residential and commercial applications. Covers Level 2 AC chargers (7kW-22kW) requiring dedicated circuit installation from switchboard. #### [Light Fitting Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/light-fitting-installation) Installation, replacement, and maintenance of light fittings including downlights, ceiling fixtures, pendant lights, and commercial luminaires. Covers domestic, commercial, and industrial settings. #### [Rooftop Solar Panel Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/rooftop-solar-installation) Installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems on residential and commercial rooftops, including mounting hardware, DC wiring, inverter connection, and grid connection #### [Split System Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/ac-heat-pump-installation) Installation of split system air conditioning units and heat pumps including indoor unit mounting, outdoor condenser placement, refrigerant line connection, electrical work, vacuum testing, charging, and commissioning #### [Switchboard Installation and Upgrade](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/switchboard-installation-upgrade) Installation of new switchboards and upgrading existing switchboards in residential and commercial premises. Covers isolation and lockout/tagout procedures, asbestos identification in pre-1990 boards, arc flash hazard management, circuit breaker and RCD installation, cable termination, testing and commissioning, and live testing. Includes controls for electric shock and electrocution, arc flash/blast, falls from heights, asbestos exposure, manual handling of heavy panels, confined space work in electrical rooms, and burns from live conductors. ### Plumbing #### [Basin and Tap Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/basin-tap-installation) Installation of bathroom basins (pedestal, wall-hung, semi-recessed, countertop, undermount), vanity units, kitchen sinks, laundry tubs, and associated tapware (mixer taps, pillar taps, wall-mounted taps). Covers removal of old fixtures, water supply connection (hot and cold), waste pipework connection, sealing, and commissioning. Includes hazard controls for manual handling of heavy ceramic and stone vanity tops (30-80kg), biological/sewage exposure from old waste traps, sharp edges from broken ceramics and cut pipe, chemical exposure to silicone sealants and PVC solvents, slips on wet bathroom floors, electrical contact during bracket fixing, and musculoskeletal injuries from awkward postures. #### [Bathroom Waterproofing](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/bathroom-waterproofing) Application of waterproofing membranes to bathroom and wet area floors, walls, and shower recesses in compliance with AS 3740:2021. Covers substrate preparation, primer application, liquid-applied and sheet membrane installation, bond breaker and joint treatment, penetration sealing, and certification. Includes controls for chemical exposure from primers, membranes, and solvents in confined bathroom spaces. #### [Blocked Drain Clearing](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/blocked-drain-clearing) Clearing blocked residential and commercial drainage systems using electric eels (drain machines), high-pressure water jetters, CCTV inspection cameras, manual rodding, and chemical drain cleaners. Includes accessing drainage pits, inspection openings (IOs), and overflow relief gullies (ORGs). High biological hazard exposure to raw sewage, wastewater, and grey water. Pathogens include Hepatitis A/B, Leptospirosis, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and Giardia. Covers entanglement hazards from rotating cable, injection injuries from water jetting at 3,000-5,000 PSI, chemical exposure (caustic sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulfide gas), confined space work in drainage pits, manual handling of heavy equipment, and slip hazards on contaminated surfaces. #### [Drainage Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/drainage-installation) Installation of stormwater drainage, subsoil drainage, agricultural drainage (ag pipe), and French drains for residential and light commercial sites. Covers trench excavation, pipe bedding and laying, gravel packing, backfill compaction, inspection pit installation, and system testing. Includes controls for trench collapse, underground services strike (BYDA mandatory), manual handling in trenches, powered plant operation (mini excavators, plate compactors), wet/muddy conditions, confined space entry for deep pits, and noise/vibration from compaction equipment. Compliant with AS/NZS 3500.2, AS/NZS 3500.3, and WHS Excavation Work Code of Practice. #### [Gas Fitting (General)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/gas-fitting) Installation, modification, and servicing of gas piping systems and appliances including natural gas and LPG. Covers consumer piping, appliance connection, leak testing, purging, and commissioning in accordance with AS/NZS 5601. #### [General Plumbing Rough-In](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/general-plumbing-rough-in) Installation of water supply pipes, sanitary drainage, and gas rough-in for residential new builds and renovations. Covers trenching for under-slab drainage, PVC solvent cement welding, copper soldering and brazing, core drilling concrete for penetrations, pressure testing, and connection to mains services. Includes controls for trench collapse, solvent fume inhalation (MEK/THF), hot work burns, silica dust from concrete cutting, electrical contact from concealed wiring, manual handling of pipe bundles, and confined space work in subfloors and ceiling cavities. #### [Hot Water System Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/hot-water-system-installation) Installation, replacement, and connection of domestic hot water systems including electric, gas, heat pump, and solar thermal units. Covers plumbing connections, tempering valves, pressure relief devices, and commissioning. #### [Pipe Laying (Underground)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/pipe-laying-underground) Underground pipe laying for water supply, sewer, and stormwater in new residential subdivisions, commercial developments, and civil infrastructure projects. Covers trench excavation (mechanical and hand), bedding preparation (sand/gravel), pipe laying and jointing (PVC solvent cement, rubber ring, electrofusion PE), grade/fall establishment using pipe laser, haunch and overlay compaction, hydrostatic pressure testing, CCTV inspection, backfilling and compaction, and surface reinstatement. Typical depths 300mm to 3m+. Primary hazards: trench collapse and burial (1 cubic metre soil = 1,600kg), underground services strike (BYDA mandatory, 20,000+ strikes annually in Australia), powered plant operation and struck-by injuries, PVC solvent cement and chemical exposure (MEK/THF volatile organic compounds, heavier than air accumulating in trenches), noise and vibration (85-110 dB(A) from excavators, compactors), manual handling at depth, and traffic/pedestrian hazards in roadway/nature strip work. Compliant with AS/NZS 3500 series, WHS Excavation Work Code of Practice, and Safe Work Australia guidance. #### [Sewer Connection and Main Tie-In](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/sewer-connection) Connection of new buildings or renovations to existing sewer mains via excavation to sewer depth (typically 1.5-3m+), locating main via council plans and CCTV, cutting into live sewer, installing junction/saddle fittings, connecting new drainage line, system testing, and backfilling. One of the highest-risk plumbing activities. Primary hazards include deep trench collapse (1 cubic metre soil = ~1,600kg), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and toxic gas exposure from sewer atmosphere (immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) at 100 ppm per NIOSH; collapse within 5 minutes at 500+ ppm; rapid unconsciousness and death at 700-1000 ppm), biological/sewage contamination (Hepatitis A/B, Leptospirosis, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Giardia), underground services strike (BYDA mandatory), manual handling of heavy materials at depth, powered plant operation in confined proximity, and traffic hazards in roadway/easement work. Often requires council/water authority approval and inspection. Compliant with AS/NZS 3500.2, WHS Excavation Work Code of Practice, and Confined Spaces Code of Practice. #### [Stormwater Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/stormwater-installation) Installation of stormwater drainage systems for residential and commercial properties. Covers downpipe connections from gutters, underground stormwater pipe laying (PVC 90mm-225mm), stormwater pit/grate construction, absorption trenches, soakaway pits, charged stormwater systems, connection to council stormwater mains, on-site detention (OSD) systems, and rainwater tank overflow connections. Includes trenching, PVC solvent cement pipe joining, pit construction, bedding and backfill, pipe testing, and surface reinstatement. Stormwater is separate from sanitary drainage with different pipe sizes, depths, materials, and regulatory requirements (AS/NZS 3500.3). #### [Toilet Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/toilet-installation) Installation of toilet suites including removal of existing toilets, installation of close-coupled, wall-hung, and in-wall cistern models, connection to sewer/waste water services, connection to water supply, silicone sealing, and compliance with AS/NZS 3500.2. Covers hazards specific to toilet installation: manual handling of heavy ceramic suites (25-45kg), exposure to raw sewage and biological hazards during old toilet removal and waste connection, silica dust from drilling bolt holes into concrete/tiled floors, slips and trips in wet bathroom environments, sharp ceramic and tile edges causing lacerations, and chemical exposure from adhesives and sealants. ### Painting #### [External House Painting](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/external-house-painting) External painting of house walls, fascia, eaves, windows, doors, and trim including surface preparation, priming, and finish coat application. Covers brush, roller, and spray application methods with scaffolding and ladder access. Includes lead paint considerations for pre-1970 buildings. #### [Interior Painting](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/interior-painting) Interior painting of walls, ceilings, doors, and trim including surface preparation, priming, and finish coat application. Covers brush, roller, and spray application methods. Includes lead paint considerations for pre-1970 buildings. #### [Spray Painting](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/spray-painting) Spray painting operations including airless, HVLP, and conventional spray application for residential, commercial, and industrial surfaces. Covers surface preparation, masking, spray application, and cleanup. Includes isocyanate controls for 2-pack paints and flammable atmosphere management. ### Tiling #### [Floor Tiling (Internal)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/floor-tiling-internal) Installation of ceramic, porcelain, or stone tiles on internal floors including substrate preparation, waterproofing (wet areas), adhesive application, tile laying, cutting, grouting, and sealing. Designed to support compliance with AS 3958:2023 ceramic and stone tile installation and AS 3740:2021 waterproofing of domestic wet areas. #### [Wall Tiling (Bathrooms)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/wall-tiling-bathrooms) Installation of ceramic, porcelain, and stone wall tiles in bathrooms and wet areas including surface preparation, waterproofing verification, adhesive application, tile fixing, grouting, and sealing. Covers work in confined bathroom spaces with silica dust controls and wet area compliance. ### Plastering #### [Cornice Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/cornice-installation) Installation of plaster cornice (decorative ceiling moulding) at wall-ceiling junctions in residential and commercial buildings. Covers measuring, cutting with mitre saw, adhesive application, fixing, jointing, and finishing. Includes fibrous plaster and gypsum cornice profiles. #### [Plasterboard Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/plasterboard-installation) Installation of plasterboard (gyprock/drywall) to internal walls and ceilings including sheet handling, cutting, fixing, cornice installation, and joint stopping/sanding. Covers work from scaffolds, trestles, and plasterer stilts. Addresses manual handling of heavy sheets, overhead work, dust exposure, and working at heights. ### Insulation #### [Ceiling Insulation Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/ceiling-insulation-installation) Installation of bulk insulation batts and blankets in residential and commercial ceiling cavities. Covers heat stress management in ceiling spaces (60°C+ in summer, fatality recorded), falls through ceiling materials, asbestos identification in pre-1990 buildings, electrical hazards from live wiring and downlights (de-energisation mandatory from January 2025), insulation fibre irritation, manual handling in confined spaces, and confined space entry procedures. Includes crawl board requirements, temperature monitoring, and electrical clearances per AS 3999:2015. ### Landscaping #### [Garden Bed and Retaining Wall Construction](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/garden-bed-retaining-wall) Construction of retaining walls using treated timber sleepers, concrete blocks, or natural stone and integrated garden bed preparation. Covers site excavation, wall alignment, base preparation, block/sleeper installation with proper compaction and drainage, geotextile and geogrid installation for stability, soil backfilling in layers, topsoil amendment, planting, and mulching. Includes comprehensive controls for manual handling of heavy blocks (20-40kg each) and sleepers, underground service protection (BYDA mandatory), potential retaining wall collapse during and after construction, handling of CCA/ACQ treated timber with copper-arsenic compounds, cement burns from mortar work, UV/heat exposure, and noise/vibration from compactors and power tools. #### [Irrigation System Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/irrigation-installation) Installation of irrigation systems including trenching for pipe runs, PVC solvent welding, poly pipe connections, sprinkler and dripper head installation, solenoid valve setup, controller programming, pump connections, and backflow prevention device installation. Covers residential and commercial irrigation systems including spray irrigation, drip irrigation, subsurface irrigation, and combination systems. Includes controls for trench excavation (200-400mm typical depth, deeper for main line runs), underground services strike (BYDA mandatory), PVC solvent cement chemical hazards (MEK/THF solvents, flammable vapours, CNS depression, potential liver/kidney damage), electrical connections for mains-powered controllers and solenoids, manual handling of pipe bundles and heavy fittings, powered mobile plant operation (pipe trencher, mini excavator), UV exposure from full outdoor work, and noise exposure from trenching equipment. #### [Paving Installation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/paving-installation) Installation of brick pavers, concrete pavers, and natural stone pavers for driveways, patios, pathways, and pool surrounds. Covers site excavation, base preparation, bedding layer installation, paver laying, cutting, compaction, and joint filling. Includes controls for manual handling of heavy materials, silica dust from paver cutting, whole-body vibration from plate compactors, cement burns, underground service protection (BYDA), and UV/heat exposure for outdoor work. #### [Retaining Wall Construction (Timber/Block)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/retaining-wall-construction) Construction of timber sleeper and concrete block retaining walls including excavation for posts, installation of drainage systems, and assembly of wall components for landscaping projects ### Gardening #### [Chainsaw Operation](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/chainsaw-operation) Comprehensive chainsaw operation SWMS for cross-cutting timber, log cutting, limbing, stump trimming, firewood processing, clearing fallen trees, and cutting timber on construction sites. Covers pre-start inspection, safe cutting techniques, fuel handling, chain maintenance, and sharpening. Includes both petrol and battery/electric chainsaws. Mandatory focus on chainsaw kickback mechanics, reactive forces, chain brake operation, bar length selection, vibration management, and noise exposure. Fully compliant with AS/NZS 4453.3 for protective legwear, AS/NZS 4453.2 for protective footwear, AS/NZS 4453.1 for gloves, and AS/NZS 862 for chainsaw kickback prevention. #### [Hedge Trimming and Garden Maintenance](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/hedge-trimming-garden-maintenance) Regular garden maintenance activities including powered hedge trimmer operation, lawn mowing (push and ride-on), line trimming/whipper snipping, leaf blowing, garden bed weeding and mulching, shrub pruning with secateurs and loppers, and green waste removal. Covers powered equipment operation, hazard controls for flying debris and eye injuries from line trimmers (cutting-head tip speed at full RPM is in the order of hundreds of km/h), noise exposure from multiple tools (hedge trimmer 90-100 dB(A), ride-on mower 90-100 dB(A), line trimmer 95-105 dB(A), leaf blower 85-100 dB(A)), manual handling of heavy equipment and green waste (bags 15-25kg), repetitive overhead work for hedge trimming causing musculoskeletal strain, UV and heat exposure from full-day outdoor work, and chemical handling for herbicides and fertilisers. Work may involve ladder access for tall hedges, operation near public roads and traffic, and possible contact with toxic ornamental plants (oleander, euphorbia, dieffenbachia) where applicable. #### [Lawn Mowing — Hand-Pushed Mower](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/lawn-mowing-hand-pushed) Residential and commercial lawn mowing using hand-pushed rotary and cylinder mowers, including line trimmer (whipper snipper) edging and leaf blower cleanup. Covers projectile debris hazards (stones and metal ejected at up to 300 km/h — impact energy exceeding a .357 Magnum bullet), blade contact injuries (29 % of lawn mower injuries affect hands), noise exposure from petrol engines and power tools (85–95 dB(A)), hand-arm vibration from prolonged equipment use, manual handling on slopes and uneven terrain, fuel handling and storage (AS 1940:2017), UV radiation and heat stress during extended outdoor work (200 melanomas and 34,000 non-melanomas annually from occupational UV in Australia), snake and insect encounters, underground service strikes during edging, and exhaust fume inhalation. Lawn mowers account for 22 % of all lawn and garden equipment injuries, with 80 % occurring at residential properties. #### [Lawn Mowing — Ride-On Mower](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/lawn-mowing-ride-on) Commercial and residential lawn mowing using ride-on rotary mowers (including zero-turn mowers) for large properties, sports grounds, council parks, and commercial estates. Covers rollover hazards on slopes (the leading cause of ride-on mower fatalities — approximately 2 deaths per year in Australia), run-over injuries from reversing (especially children), power take-off (PTO) entanglement, projectile debris ejection at up to 300 km/h, blade engagement and contact injuries, noise exposure (90–100 dB(A)), whole-body vibration from extended operation, fuel handling for larger tank capacities, UV and heat stress during full-day outdoor work, and operation near embankments, ditches, and retaining walls. Ride-on mower injuries have a hospitalisation rate of 40 % — nearly double the rate for other garden equipment. Zero-turn mowers pose specific backflip risk on uphill slopes due to short wheelbase, rear-mounted engine, and two-wheel drive configuration. Compliant with AS 3792.1, AS 4024 series, and Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice for Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace. #### [Mulching, Composting, and Green Waste Handling](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/mulching-composting-green-waste) Comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement for mulching, composting, and green waste handling operations. Covers wood chippers/mulchers, biological hazard management, manual handling of heavy green waste, noise exposure, and equipment operation. Mandatory focus on wood chipper entanglement (113 deaths globally 1982-2016), Legionella longbeachae (Australia highest rate globally from compost), Aspergillus fumigatus spores, projectile debris hazards, and noise levels 100-125 dB. Fully compliant with AS 4024.3701:2020 (Wood Chippers), AS/NZS 4024.1604:2019 (Emergency stop), AS/NZS 1270 Class 5 double hearing protection, and FWPHAR2208 (Mobile Chipper/Mulcher Operation). #### [Stump Grinding and Removal](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/stump-grinding-removal) Stump grinding and removal operations using walk-behind and self-propelled stump grinders. Comprehensive controls for powered mobile plant operation, projectile debris hazards (rocks, wood chips, soil ejected at high velocity), underground service strike risks including gas, water, electrical, and telecommunications (BYDA (Before You Dig Australia, formerly Dial Before You Dig) mandatory), noise exposure (100-110 dB(A)), hand-arm and whole-body vibration hazards, kickback from grinding wheel contact with hardened materials, dust inhalation risks including crystalline silica (WES 0.05 mg/m³), manual handling of heavy equipment, and trip hazards from surface roots and uneven terrain. All stump grinding work requires AHCARB206 competency (operate stump grinding machines) with minimum 10 hours operating experience, pre-work BYDA (Before You Dig Australia, formerly Dial Before You Dig) clearance confirmation, site assessment including exclusion zones and debris containment, and comprehensive emergency procedures for underground service strikes. #### [Tree Pruning and Removal (Under 4 Metres)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/tree-pruning-removal) Pruning, lopping, and removal of trees and large shrubs under 4 metres height. Covers chainsaw operation, pole pruner and pole saw use, chipper and mulcher operation, manual handling of branches and timber sections, optional stump grinding, and debris removal. Comprehensive controls for chainsaw injuries (kickback, laceration, amputation), falling branches and widow makers, overhead powerline proximity and electrocution risk (CRITICAL hazard), chipper/mulcher entanglement, manual handling strain from heavy branches and log sections, UV and heat exposure from outdoor physical work, and high noise levels from chainsaws (100-115 dB(A)), chippers (95-110 dB(A)), and stump grinders (95-105 dB(A)). Work near overhead powerlines requires strict separation distances and electricity distributor consultation. #### [Turf Laying](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/turf-laying) Installation of turf rolls and slabs for residential and commercial landscapes. Covers site preparation including removal of existing vegetation, soil grading and levelling, rotary hoeing for soil amendment, turf roll laying in courses, tight butt jointing, rolling for soil contact, and edge cutting. Includes controls for manual handling of heavy turf rolls (15-25kg each), powered mobile plant operation (turf cutter, bobcat, mini roller), underground services strike hazards during ground preparation (BYDA mandatory), UV and heat exposure from full outdoor work, noise exposure from turf cutter and powered equipment, soil and fertiliser dust inhalation, and slip/trip hazards from wet soil and hose trip points. #### [Weed Spraying and Herbicide Application](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/weed-spraying-herbicide-application) Application of herbicides and chemical weed control products using backpack sprayers, hand wands, vehicle-mounted spray rigs, granular spreaders, and wick/wipe applicators. Covers the critical chemical handling hazards of herbicide exposure through skin absorption (primary route of occupational exposure), inhalation of spray mist and aerosol droplets, and eye contact during mixing, loading, and application. Common herbicides include glyphosate (IARC Group 2A — "probably carcinogenic to humans"; Australian APVMA maintains safe use position when label directions followed), paraquat (Schedule 7 Dangerous Poison — no antidote, restricted to licensed operators), phenoxy herbicides (2,4-D, MCPA, dicamba, triclopyr — volatile with significant spray drift risk), and residual herbicides (metsulfuron-methyl, pendimethalin). Also covers spray drift contamination of non-target areas, waterways, food gardens, and neighbouring properties; manual handling of backpack sprayers (15–22 kg when full) and chemical drums; mixing and loading concentrated chemicals (highest-risk phase for handler exposure); UV/heat exposure during outdoor application; slip/trip hazards on sprayed surfaces; and vehicle/traffic hazards during roadside spraying. All chemicals must be APVMA-registered and handled in compliance with Safety Data Sheets per WHS Regulation Part 7.1. State-specific licensing required in all jurisdictions. ### Maintenance #### [Gutter Cleaning and Roof Debris Removal](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/gutter-cleaning-roof-debris-removal) Cleaning of roof gutters, valleys, and downpipes and removal of accumulated leaf litter, silt, and debris from residential and commercial roofs. Covers ladder access and elevated work platform (EWP) use at typical single and two-storey heights (3–8 m), manual removal of debris by hand and scoop, gutter vacuum systems operated from ground level, leaf blower clearing, and downpipe flushing with garden hose. Includes controls for falls from height (29 fatalities in 2023, 45 % in construction), falls from ladders (leading cause of serious home-maintenance injury), falls through fragile roofing materials such as aged fibro-cement and polycarbonate sheeting, biological hazards from bird and possum droppings (histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, psittacosis), mould and stagnant water (Legionella risk), lacerations from rusted metal gutter edges and sharp debris, electrical hazards from overhead power lines and rooftop solar PV systems, manual handling of heavy wet debris buckets (15–25 kg), and prolonged UV and heat exposure during outdoor roof work. Compliant with WHS Regulation 2017 Section 291, AS/NZS 1891 fall-arrest series, and Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice for Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces. #### [Pool Maintenance and Chemical Handling](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/pool-maintenance-chemical-handling) Routine and reactive maintenance of swimming pools, spas, and water features including chemical dosing, water testing, equipment servicing, filter cleaning, and salt chlorinator maintenance. Covers the critical hazard of toxic gas generation from incompatible pool chemicals — mixing sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) with hydrochloric acid (pool acid) produces chlorine gas, lethal at 400 ppm within 30 minutes and immediately fatal at 1,000 ppm. Mixing calcium hypochlorite (granular chlorine) with trichloroisocyanuric acid (trichlor tablets) produces nitrogen trichloride, a highly unstable explosive compound. Australian Workplace Exposure Standard for chlorine gas is 1.0 ppm TWA (8-hour). Also covers chemical burns from corrosive pool chemicals (sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid 6–33 % concentration), drowning risk from working adjacent to water, electrical hazards from pool pumps, salt chlorinators, and underwater lighting (AS/NZS 3000:2018), manual handling of 20–25 kg chemical drums, confined space entry for pump rooms and underground balance tanks, slip hazards on wet pool surrounds, UV/heat exposure, and biological hazards including Legionella, Cryptosporidium, and Naegleria fowleri in warm climates (>25 °C water). Chemical storage must comply with AS 3780:2008 for corrosive substances. #### [Pressure Washing / High-Pressure Cleaning](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/pressure-washing-high-pressure-cleaning) High-pressure water cleaning of driveways, paths, decks, building exteriors, fences, retaining walls, and outdoor surfaces using pressure washers from 1,500–5,000 PSI. Covers high-pressure water injection injuries (the most serious hazard — clinical literature reports skin-penetration thresholds as low as ~100 PSI, and pressure washers operating above 1,500 PSI dramatically exceed this; injection injuries cause devastating internal tissue damage invisible externally, with 30–40 % requiring amputation), electrical hazards from electric pressure washers operating near water and wet surfaces, slip hazards on wet cleaned surfaces, noise exposure (85–100 dB(A)), chemical exposure from detergents and degreasers, projectile debris dislodged by water jet, manual handling of heavy equipment and hoses, UV and heat exposure during extended outdoor work, and environmental compliance for wastewater runoff. Higher-output equipment is classified under AS 4233.1:2013: Class A covers systems with output 800–5,600 bar·L/min; Class B covers >5,600 bar·L/min (requires certified RTO operator training). Systems below 800 bar·L/min fall outside the standard's scope but the same controls (trigger discipline, RCD, PPE, never on asbestos) still apply. Never use high-pressure water on asbestos-containing materials. ### Working at Heights #### [Scaffold Erection - Prefabricated Steel Modular Scaffolding](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/scaffold-erection) Erection, alteration and dismantling of prefabricated steel modular scaffolding systems including Kwikstage, Cuplock, and similar systems for residential and commercial roofing projects #### [Working at Heights (General)](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/working-at-heights) General working at heights activities including ladder work, roof access, elevated work platforms, scaffold access, and any work where there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres ### Demolition #### [Bathroom Strip-Out and Demolition](https://makeswms.com/swms-templates/bathroom-strip-out) Complete strip-out and demolition of bathroom including removal of tiles, fixtures (vanity, toilet, bath, shower), wall linings, and flooring. Covers asbestos identification for pre-1990 buildings, silica dust controls during tile removal, electrical and plumbing isolation, and hazardous waste disposal. --- ## About makeswms makeswms is an Australian SaaS tool built for tradies, sole traders, and small construction businesses who need to produce Safe Work Method Statements quickly without sacrificing depth. Each template is mapped to the relevant high-risk construction work categories from the WHS Regulations 2011 and includes pre-filled industry-standard hazards, hierarchy-of-controls control measures, PPE specifications, equipment lists, work step sequences, and emergency procedures. Users customise the templates for their specific job site, consult their workers, sign off, and export.