Safe Work Method Statement

ABN: 86 058 929 428 Postal address: PO Box 21 Cleveland Qld 4163 SWMS number: Risk Register reference: Date: Location: Generic

IMPORTANT NOTE: This SWMS is a site-specific statement that must be prepared before any extreme risk or high risk work is commenced. Person responsible for ensuring compliance with this SWMS: Person in control of the place of work Desciption of high-risk job: Working at heights from scaffolding (Generic) Steps for filling out this form 1. Discuss with relevant employees, contractors and HSRs what work will be high-risk, the tasks and associated hazards, risks and controls. 2. In the What are the task involved? column, list the work tasks in sequence (the order they will be carried out in. 3. In the What are the hazards and risks? column, list the hazards and risks for each work task 4. In the How will the hards and risks be controlled? column, select the hazard or risk and then work through the control levels 1-4 from top to bottom. Choose a control measure (and how it is to be used) that is as close to level 1 as is reasonable practicable. Control levels 1. Eliminate any risk to health or safety associated with work. 2. Reduce the risk to health or safety by any one or any combination of the following: Substituting a new activity, procedure, plant, process or substance Isolating persons from the hazard, such as barricading, fencing or guardrailing Using engineering controls such as mechanical or electrical devices. 3. Use administrative controls, such as changing the way the work is done. 4. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment. 5. Brief each team member on this SWMS before commencing work. Ensure team knows that work is to immediately stop if the SWMS is not being followed. 6. Observe work being carried out. If controls are not adequete, stop the work, review the SWMS, adjust as required and re-brief the team. 7. Retain this SWMS for the duration of the high-risk work.

Safe Work Method Statement (Continued)

What are the tasks involved? What are the hazards and risks? How will hazards & risks be controlled? (Describe the control measures and how they will be used) Responsibility for monitoring

REMEMBER: Think about the worksite and each stage of the project including preparation and cleanup.
Prior to work commencing WH&S Regs. (2008) Part 20 Has a risk assessment been completed for the task? Risk of back injury if working in cramped conditions, risk of falling if over extending to reach objects, risk of scaffold collapse if components are damaged or not weight rated correctly WH&S Regs. (2008) Part 20 Inspect scaffolding components for any signs of damage. Damaged tube and components are not to be used. AS 1576.1 Size, type, height and weight rating of scaffolding will be appropriate to the work being undertaken. Scaffolding Code of Practice 2004. The free standing height of scaffolding to the work platform should be no higher than three times the least base width. Principal contractor, site supervisor and scaffolding workers Have the control measures been implemented? Principal contractor and site supervisor Principal contractor and site supervisor

Scaffold selection

Scaffold placement

Electrocution from electrical WH&S Regs. (2008) Part 20 hazards Scaffolding Code of Practice. Care must be taken when performing scaffolding work in close proximity to bare and insulated electrical lines and underground electrical cables. Contact the electrical entity responsible for the lines to confirm voltage, insulation and appropriate systems of work. Death or injury from mobile plant and vehicular traffic impact Determine the exclusion zone as outlined in the Electrical Safety Regs (2002) Schedule 2. Re-route vehicles away from the location. Use barricades, signs and buffer rails to prevent vehicles coming into contact with scaffolding. Ensure that scaffolding does not have any protrusions.

What are the tasks involved?

Scaffold placement (continued)

What are the hazards and risks?

Death or injury from scaffold collapse

How will hazards & risks be controlled? (Describe the control measures and how they will be used)
AS 1576.1 and Scaffolding Code of Practice 2004. Scaffolding foundations must be able to carry and distribute all the weight of the scaffold, including any workers and tools as well as being able to withstand additional stress caused by environmental conditions (wind & rain). The slope of a working platform shall not exceed 7 degrees from the horizontal. On less stable surfaces, the use of soleboards and baseplates must be used to assist in evenly distributing the weight of the load.

Responsibility for monitoring

Scaffold erection

Death or injury from scaffold collapse

AS 1576 and Scaffolding Code of Practice 2004. Do not mix components from different scaffolds, while looking similar they often have different dimensions and tolerances. Do not mix aluminium and steel components. Beam clamps or flange clamps should be provided with information about safe use, including tightening torque required and when to use different types of couplers. As soon as enough components of the scaffolding have been erected immediately install: a platform at least 450 mm wide the full length of the section of scaffolding an edge protection across the space between the uprights forming the outer frame of the scaffolding a means of access to the level. All scaffold components should be installed as the scaffold is erected. Stairs should be secured to the scaffold bay. Ensure that the gap between the end of the stair module and a transom is as small as practicable. Incomplete scaffolds must be signed as NO Access, and workers must not be allowed to use under any circumstance.

Principal contractor, site supervisor and scaffolding workers

Scaffold use

Death or injury from scaffold collapse Death or injury from falling from scaffolding

Scaffolding Code of Practice 2004 & AS 1576 Do not overload the scaffolding. Limit the number of workers and equipment on a scaffold at any one time. AS1576 A working platform shall: (a) have a slip-resistant surface (b) be closely decked (c) not be capable of uplift under working conditions (d) be level and free of trip-hazards. WH&S Regs Part 20. Where there is a risk of falling more than 2 meters, fall arrest equipment compliant with AS/NZS 1891 is to be used.

Principal contractor, site supervisor and scaffolding workers

What are the tasks involved?

Scaffold use (continued)

What are the hazards and risks?

How will hazards & risks be controlled? (Describe the control measures and how they will be used)
A fall arrest system is only to be used by a person trained in the safe and correct use of the system, is not to be used by a person working alone and is not to be used if a component of the system shows signs of wear. In the event of an accident the suspended person must be retrieved immediately. Use catch platforms. NCOP for prevention of falls.

Responsibility for monitoring

Injury from falling objects

Scaffolding Code of Practice 2004. Establish exclusion zones to prevent unauthorised access to the area. Use perimeter containment screening to contain falling objects.

Environmental loads Dismantling scaffolding Death or injury from falling from scaffolding

Consider the effects that environmental loads can have on scaffolding, especially when screens, shadecloth and/or signs are attached. Do not work in unsafe conditions. WH&S Regs. (2008) Part 20 & Scaffolding Code of Practice Principal contractor, Edge protection and means of access is to be removed at the last possible stage. site supervisor The platform immediately below the level on which the worker is standing is to have a full set of planks across and scaffolding workers its width and is to be no more 2 meters below. Erect perimeter containment screening and establish exclusion zones to prevent unauthorised access to the area.

Injury from falling scaffold components