What should a SWMS template include?

The four required elements

The Queensland regulator's SWMS page says a SWMS must identify the work that is high risk construction work, specify the hazards and the risks to health and safety, describe the measures to control the risks, and describe how those measures will be implemented, monitored and reviewed. It must also take into account the circumstances at the workplace and, on a construction project, the principal contractor's WHS management plan.

Safe Work Australia's list of high risk construction work includes work with a risk of a person falling more than 2 m, work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 m, work on or near energised electrical installations or services, pressurised gas mains or piping, and chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines, and areas with movement of powered mobile plant. Check the full list for your job.

Sources[1][2]

Other details to include

The regulator says a SWMS should also show the business name, address and ABN, the people responsible for implementing, monitoring and complying with it, and for a construction project the principal contractor's name, the work address, the date prepared, the date it was given to the principal contractor and any review date. It may record the names of workers consulted, the consultation date and their signatures.

Write controls so no decision is left to a supervisor or worker. The regulator's own example is that 'use appropriate PPE' does not describe a control measure.

Sources[1]

Blank SWMS scaffold

This is an original layout, not an official form. It is a draft until completed for the specific job and site and reviewed with the workers doing the work.

SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS), HIGH RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK
[Draft template. Complete for this job and site, consult the workers doing the work and review before work starts.]

PART A: BUSINESS AND SITE
Business name: [ ]   Address: [ ]   ABN: [ ]
Person responsible for implementing, monitoring and complying with this SWMS: [name, role, phone]
Principal contractor: [name, where applicable for a construction project]
Work address: [ ]
Date prepared: [DD/MM/YYYY]   Date given to principal contractor: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Review date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Site circumstances that affect the work: [ ]
Principal contractor's WHS management plan checked: [yes/no, reference]

PART B: HIGH RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK IDENTIFIED
[ ] Risk of a person falling more than 2 m
[ ] Shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 m
[ ] On or near energised electrical installations or services
[ ] On or near pressurised gas mains or piping
[ ] On or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
[ ] Movement of powered mobile plant
[ ] Other (check the Safe Work Australia list): [ ]

PART C: STEPS, HAZARDS AND CONTROLS (one row per step)
Step | Task in order | Hazard and risk | Control measures (specific, no choices left to workers) | How implemented | Monitored by and how | Reviewed when
1 | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ]

PART D: CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION
Workers consulted: [names]   Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]   How: [induction / toolbox talk / site walk]
Information and instruction given on the hazards and risks, the controls and what to do if work is not following this SWMS. Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]   By: [name]

PART E: IF WORK DOES NOT FOLLOW THIS SWMS
Stop work immediately, or as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not resume until the work can follow this SWMS or it has been reviewed and revised. Contact: [name, phone]

PART F: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Name | Signature | Date
[ ] | [ ] | [DD/MM/YYYY]

PART G: REVISIONS
Version | Date | What changed | Who was told and how
[ ] | [DD/MM/YYYY] | [ ] | [ ]

Sources[1][2]

Before you use a generic template

The Queensland regulator says a generic SWMS may be used for regular work, but before each new activity it must be reviewed and revised to make sure it applies to the high risk construction work and the actual workplace. Consult workers and their health and safety representatives when preparing it. If no workers are engaged at planning stage, consult them when the SWMS is first made available, for example at induction or a toolbox talk.

For a construction project, give a copy to the principal contractor before the work starts. Keep it available for inspection until at least the work is completed, keep all versions of a revised SWMS, and keep it for at least 2 years if a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the work. If the work is not being carried out in accordance with the SWMS, it must stop immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so. No software or template guarantees compliance. The duty holder remains responsible for the content being right for the job.

Sources[1]

Common questions

How to make your own SWMS?

Identify the high risk construction work, list the steps in order with their hazards and risks, describe specific controls and how they will be implemented, monitored and reviewed, and consult the workers doing the work. Do it before the work starts, give a copy to the principal contractor where applicable and keep it.[1]

What is a SWMS template?

It is a pre-made layout or generic SWMS to start from. In Queensland a generic SWMS must be reviewed and revised for the actual work and workplace before each new activity, and any content that does not apply to the job should be removed.[1]