Roof Tile InstallationSWMS Template

Temporary edge protection compliant with AS/NZS 4994.1 and 4994.2 must be installed before any roof access. This typically includes guardrails minimum 900mm high around the full perimeter. Where roof pitch exceeds 26 degrees, infill panels are also required. Full body harnesses connected to certified anchor points (AS/NZS 5532) are required when installing/dismantling edge protection or working beyond its protection.

All workers require a Construction Induction Card (White Card) and Working at Heights training (RIIWHS204E). Workers using fall arrest harnesses need harness user training including rescue procedures. Workers involved in tile cutting need Silica Awareness training. For buildings constructed before 1990, Asbestos Awareness training is also required. Note: In Victoria, refresher training is recommended every 2 years.

Wet cutting is mandatory - dry cutting of concrete or terracotta tiles is not permitted. The cutting station should be set up at ground level away from other workers, with continuous water suppression to the blade. Workers must wear P2/N95 respirators rated for silica during all cutting operations. Cleanup must use wet methods - never dry sweep tile dust. Queensland has Australia's first silica code of practice for construction (effective 1 May 2023) which requires health monitoring for at-risk workers. South Australia's crystalline silica substances regulations (effective 1 September 2024) require air monitoring, silica risk control plans, and training. In Victoria, exposure must be kept below 0.05mg/m³ (WorkSafe Victoria recommends below 0.02mg/m³ as a precautionary measure).

Work must cease when roof surfaces are wet, frosty, or icy due to slip hazards. Work should stop in winds exceeding 40km/h as this affects worker stability and creates falling object hazards. During heat waves or when temperatures exceed 35°C, work hours should be adjusted to early morning and late afternoon, with additional rest breaks in shade.

If the building was constructed or renovated before 1990 (late 1980s), an asbestos inspection by a licensed assessor is strongly recommended before commencing work. Many older homes contain asbestos cement products in roofing, eaves, and wall cladding. If asbestos is identified, a management plan or removal by a licensed removalist may be required before tile work can proceed.

The rescue plan must ensure a suspended worker can be rescued within 15 minutes to prevent suspension trauma. It should identify rescue equipment (ladder, rescue descent device), trained rescue personnel, emergency contact numbers, and step-by-step rescue procedure. The plan must be site-specific and practiced before harness work commences.

In Victoria, work within 3m of overhead powerlines requires permission from the electricity company. Work between 3m and 6.4m requires a trained Spotter. Energy Safe Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria do not consider a Spotter adequate for scaffolding erection within No Go Zones - contact the distribution company (CitiPower, Powercor, Jemena, AusNet) for a permit. Use the Look Up and Live app to identify powerline locations.

NSW operates under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2017, while Victoria has the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017. Both require SWMS for high-risk construction work including working at heights above 2m. Victoria uses "compliance codes" (equivalent to NSW codes of practice). The 19 high-risk work categories are similar across jurisdictions.

In Queensland, electrical exclusion zones are the minimum safe distance from live powerlines to reduce electric shock risk. Most powerlines have a 3m exclusion zone. High voltage lines between 132kV-330kV require 6m, and over 330kV require 8m. A trained safety observer must be used when there is any risk of entering exclusion zones (e.g., when raising scaffolding, using tile hoists, or cranes). Use the Look Up and Live app (lookupandlive.com.au) to identify Ergon Energy and Energex powerline locations.

Queensland operates under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, which identifies 18 activities as high-risk construction work requiring a SWMS. For roof tiling, work at heights above 2m (or 3m for housing construction) triggers SWMS requirements. The SWMS must be prepared before work starts, a copy given to the principal contractor, work carried out in accordance with it, and it must be reviewed if conditions change. Queensland also requires specific silica controls under the Managing RCS in Construction Code of Practice 2022 (effective 1 May 2023).

In Queensland housing construction, fall prevention/arrest controls are mandatory where there is a potential fall of 3 metres or more. However, for falls between 2m and 3m, a risk assessment must still be conducted and control measures implemented if the risk warrants it. For all other construction work (non-housing), fall controls are required at 2 metres. Note that construction work over 2m high is classified as high-risk construction work requiring a SWMS.

In South Australia, high-risk construction work (HRCW) requiring a SWMS is construction work involving a risk of a person falling more than 3 metres - this is higher than most other Australian jurisdictions which use 2 metres. However, from 1 July 2026, SA will align with national model regulations and the threshold will change to 2 metres. Fall protection must still be provided for any work where there is a risk of falling, regardless of height, based on risk assessment.

South Australia has stricter asbestos requirements than the national model code. Air monitoring is required for BOTH Class A (friable) AND Class B (non-friable) licensed asbestos removal work - unlike other states where Class B air monitoring is optional. Buildings built or renovated before 31 December 2003 require an asbestos register. Before any roof work on older buildings, the asbestos register must be reviewed. For buildings before the mid-1980s, asbestos-containing materials are highly likely to be present.

From 1 September 2024, new crystalline silica substances (CSS) regulations apply in SA. For construction work involving tile cutting, the processing is classified as high-risk and requires: controlled processing using water suppression or local exhaust ventilation, a silica risk control plan (which can be incorporated into your SWMS), personal air monitoring within the workers breathing zone, health monitoring for workers at risk of RCS exposure, and crystalline silica training. Engineering controls are considered reasonably practicable in all but very rare situations.

In SA, safe approach limits are based on powerline voltage. A person (including objects held) can only work to within 1 metre of a 415V powerline, or within 2 metres of an 11,000V powerline, and only with a SWMS based on a risk assessment. For scaffolding near overhead powerlines, use a 4-metre initial clearance distance. If safe clearance cannot be maintained, apply for a Network Access Permit from SA Power Networks (allow 28 business days). Contact the Office of the Technical Regulator on 8226 5500 for advice on authorisations.