An SWMS is a document that sets out the High threat construction work (HRCW) activities to be performed at a workplace, the threats occurring from these activities and the procedures to be put in place to manage the risks to health and wellness. Tuesday, 24th May 2022. Its main function is to help employees and managers to carry out and keep an eye on the control determines developed to make sure the work is performed safely. What is 'high threat construction work' (HRCW)? High danger construction work is specified in WHS guidelines as construction work that:. includes a threat of a person falling more than 2 metres (3 metres in South Australia); or. includes demolition of an aspect of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure; or. includes, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos; or. includes structural alterations or repairs that require temporary assistance to prevent collapse; or. is performed in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; or. is carried out in or near a confined area; or. is performed in or near:. a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1 5 metres; or. a tunnel; or. involves the use of explosives; or. is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping; or. is performed on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; or. is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services; or. is performed in a location that might have a polluted or flammable environment; or. includes tilt-up or precast concrete; or. is performed on, in or adjacent to a roadway, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that remains in use by traffic other than pedestrians; or. is performed on a telecommunication tower; or. is carried out in an area at an office in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; or. is carried out in a location in which there are artificial extremes of temperature; or. is performed in or near water or other liquid that includes a threat of drowning; or. includes diving work. Note: Victorian OHS guidelines have some minor variations of the above meaning of HRCW. How do I tackle preparing a SWMS? A normal method to developing a SWMS includes the following:. Collect all relevant info about the work. The first task is to determine the kinds of HRCW that the work includes and how it is to be performed. Learn the hazards. Evaluation the proposed work and information about each task to determine the risks, i.e., the events or things that may trigger harm to employees or other people. Details, such as codes of practice or guidance product, might be available in the site of your regional workplace health and wellness regulator for specific construction jobs. Speak with the pertinent employees. In consultation with the employees that will carry out the HRCW, their managers and health and safety representatives (if any) evaluate the regional health and safety requirements, and the proposed work. Consider the views of workers about the hazards, the possible risk control measures and any site-specific matters that might affect the safety of the work. If there are other workers that could be affected by the work they should also be spoken with. Note: There is a legal commitment to consult afflicted workers and their health and wellness agents when determining threats or choosing measures to manage danger, and to take their views into account. Select the most proper control procedures to remove or reduce risks. To select the most appropriate control steps you require to apply the 'hierarchy of control' as detailed in steps 1 to 5 below. HIA's info sheet The Hierarchy of Control describes how the hierarchy of control applies to the requirements for handling office hazards and threats. You should seek to eliminate risks so far as is fairly practicable (e.g., doing as much work as possible on the ground rather than at height). If it is not fairly practicable to remove threats, you must carry out any specific control steps that are mandatory by law in your State or Area. Some office health and safety laws recommend specific control steps that should be made an application for managing risks to health and wellness developing from particular dangers or activities. Examples consist of, but are not limited to, work including asbestos, work at height, operate in restricted spaces. Particular requirements remain in the work environment health and safety laws available in the website of your local office health and wellness regulator. After implementing action 2, if a threat remains, the danger needs to be minimised so far as is fairly practicable by carrying out one, or a combination of the following:. Substituting a process or compound with one that is less harmful. For instance, wet sweeping instead of dry sweeping of hazardous dusts such as crystalline silica. Isolating workers and other individuals from the risk. By setting up barriers in between workers and mobile plant. Using engineering controls. For example, using an elevated work platform or a scaffold to lower the threat of falling from height. If after implementing the above control determines a danger to health or safety still remains, decrease that threat, up until now as is reasonably practicable, by using administrative controls. This includes, security training, work directions, warning signs and supervision. For instance, if a scaffold utilised to reduce threats you may require to consist of scaffold tags revealing appropriate optimum loads, signs for insufficient scaffolds. You may likewise require to explain the training required for those erecting the scaffold and the supervision of scaffold users. If a threat to health or security still stays after carrying out the above, reduce that threat, so far as is reasonably practicable by offering individual protective equipment (PPE). This includes Utilising protective clothes such as safety glasses, construction hats, gloves, breathing protection, or a combination of appropriate PPE. A combination of control steps will require to be applied to reduce threats as far as is reasonably practicable. Writing the SWMS - What details must be consisted of? A SWMS must:. recognise the work that is high danger construction work. define the threats relating to the high risk construction work and the threats to health and wellness. describe the procedures to be carried out to manage the threats, and. describe how the control measures are to be executed, kept track of and evaluated. For an example of how to do this see: How to finish a SWMS when using silica. The control steps should be set out and expressed in such a way that is readily available and comprehensible to the individuals who will utilise the SWMS. Describe in clear terms how dangers to health and safety are to be managed to make it possible for the work to be done safely, and how the control steps are to be carried out. You can use any kind or design template to write the SWMS, consisting of paper and electronic formats, provided the above information is consisted of and is readily available. Can I utilise a generic SWMS? A generic SWMS can be utilised after it has been examined and modified as needed to make sure that it covers all the risks and dangers that exist on the website where the work is to be carried out. A generic SWMS needs to be reviewed/revised prior to beginning the work and prior to beginning a new activity or a modification in work location or situations. To find out more about SWMS and your responsibilities go to the site of your regional work environment health and wellness authority and look for safe work approach declarations. official source
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