Safe Work Method Statement Worksheet

Use of Master Builders Generic Safe Work Method Statements

Disclaimer:
The Master Builders Association of Victoria expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person in respect of anything, and of
consequence of anything done or omitted to be done by any or such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially on this generic
safe work method statement.
Rules for the use of Master Builders generic SWMS
1. This generic SWMS is provided as a sample. It is not to be used by a builder or subcontractor for the purpose of managing
safety on their projects. It can be used as a template to enable builders and subcontractors to produce their own SWMS.
Master Builders have carbon copy pads available for sale to enable builders/subcontractors to produce their own SWMS.
2. Employers intending to use this SWMS as a template for their own SWMS must ensure they consult with their employees,
including their Health and Safety Representatives, prior to its introduction.
3. Builders and subcontractors must ensure that their SWMS is relevant to the project at hand. Generic SWMS should not be
used unless precautions have been taken to ensure that the document adequately addresses the hazards and risks relevant
to each particular project.
4. Builders and subcontractors intending to use this sample SWMS as a template for their own generic SWMS, without making
any changes to the detail, must ensure that they adhere to and implement all of the relevant risk controls.
5. The range of generic SWMS provided by Master Builders are not sufficiently broad enough to cover all hazards or risks
encountered by builders and subcontractors. It does not cover the full list of requirements for which SWMS are specifically
required under the OHS Construction Regulations. It is important that the builder or subcontractor undertake their own hazard
identification and risk control process relevant for each particular task.
It is highly recommended that persons who are responsible for preparing and reviewing SWMS undertake training so as to
understand the process of identifying and controlling risks in the workplace.

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement Worksheet

Company Name

Site Name

Safe Work Method Statement

No ______ Page

Contractor

Activity

Installation of cabinetry / joinery

of

Permit to Work Requirement

Yes

No

Tasks

Hazards and Risks

Risk control measures

Who is responsible?

List the tasks required to perform

the activity in the sequence they are
carried out.

What can harm you - Hazards?

What can happen - Risks?

List the control measures required to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury
and detail how the control measures will be put in place.

Write the name of the person

responsible (supervisor or
above) to implement the control
measures identified.

General planning and

general safety

Injuries due to lack of training,

inexperience or lack of supervision.

Hot weather

Dizziness, dehydration or other illness

due to hot weather.

Noise

Hearing damage from use of hand held

power tools etc.

Installation of cabinetry /
joinery

Parking in non designated loading

zone
Musculoskeletal injuries

Unloading truck

All workers to be inducted into and understand all the requirements of

this SWMS prior to commencing work.
All workers to have sufficient training, skills and competency to
complete the required tasks. All workers to be holders of a
Construction induction card
Where practicable, reduce heat load using fans, shade cloth or other
suitable means.
Where practicable, schedule tasks to cooler parts of the day to
minimize risks of heat exposure.
Ensure workers wear the lightest clothing that still provides protection
and a wide brimmed hat or flap on hard hat.
Provide adequate supplies of drinking water.
Where workers are at risk, reduce the time spent on tasks and
provide adequate rest breaks in cooler areas.
Where practicable, provide engineered solution for high noise level,
e.g. quieter or muffled equipment, temporary sound absorption
screen or barrier to protect other persons in the area.
Check that regular plant and equipment maintenance to minimize
noise has been carried out and that noise suppression mufflers etc.
are fitted to prior to use.
Ensure appropriate hearing protection is worn.
Using the designated loading and unloading zones on site
Lift material in pairs using bent knees. Heavy or awkward loads
should have lifting points or handles fitted where possible.
Use of trolleys when possible to move joinery around building

All Workers /
Management

Builder / Management

Builder / Management /
All Workers

Builder /
Leading Hand

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement Worksheet

Traffic Management

Personnel being struck by moving

vehicles and plant.

Use of hand held tools

Vibration, musculoskeletal injuries

Ensure all workers are aware of site traffic safety requirements;

designated safe access points and walkways; designated
plant/vehicle movement zones; designated parking areas and
designated delivery areas.
Ensure reflective vests are worn as required.
Use power tools which are lightweight, low vibration, noise restricted
and fitted with clutches and safety guards. Tools should be
ergonomically designed so they are comfortable to use. Work gloves
should absorb impact energy, provide protection from sharp edges
and be puncture resistant.

Electrical hazards

Installation of joinery

Site Induction Coordinator

Leading Hand /
Principal Contractor.

All Workers

Dropping joinery on toes

Ensure that power is only obtained from a protected power supply

with RCD, over current protection and in compliance with AS 3012
and the Industry Standard for Electrical Installations on Construction
Sites.
Do not use electrical tools, plant extension leads and appliances
unless these have current test tags attached.
Extension leads to be kept elevated on insulated hangers or stands
to within 4 metres of the immediate area where power is to be used
and to be kept clear of access areas and walkways and clear of direct
contact with metal.
Wear safety boots

Lifting using back

Lift materials using bent knees or team lifting

Working at heights (falls)

Where possible use a mobile scaffold. Where this is not practical,

work from industrial grade platform ladders

Installing overhead cabinets

When installing overhead cabinets, ensure the base cabinet is in first,

then use a duct lifter or stand. Get two people to lift overhead
cabinets onto stands. Secure cupboards and cabinets in a safe and
secure position until permanently fixed.

Slips and trips

Make sure work area is kept clean. Clean as you go to

eliminate/minimise trip hazards

All Workers

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.

Safe Work Method Statement Worksheet

Installing near windows,
stairways and other
penetrations
Cutting bench tops and
components (cutting on site
is note a major factor, but
can be done in some
instances)
Using construction
adhesives

Falls through openings

Clean up and leave site

Being struck by delivery trucks or

passing vehicles.
Falls & trips when moving messy site.

Exposure to MDF dust

Exposure to flammable liquids and

hazardous substances

Persons struck by moving vehicles.

Ensure windows are closed or covered over. Ensure openings in

walls and floors (e.g. stairwells0 are barricaded or covered. Stay
within the rails of the platform ladder or mobile scaffold.
See MDF cutting SWMS

All Workers

Preference should be given to the use of non-hazardous adhesives

(PVA, Fullers Nails, Bostik No More Nails) as opposed to the
hazardous Liquid Nails and Contact Adhesive, where possible and
appropriate.
Solvent based adhesives are irritating to the eyes, skin and lungs.
Safety glasses and rubber gloves should be used when applying
copious amounts of adhesive. Ensure the area of use is well
ventilated and that containers are kept closed when not in use. If
using large amounts of adhesive in a small enclosed area, a cartridge
respirator with an AX Filter should be worn. Ensure containers are
not stored in the sun or near naked flames.
If skin contact occurs, wipe excess material from skin with a clean rag
or paper towel (do NOT use solvent to clean skin), remove
contaminated clothing and wash skin with running water. If irritation
occurs seek medical advice. If in the eyes, wash out immediately with
water. In all cases of eye contamination seek medical advice.
Operators only to exit trucks in nominated area.
Clean up work area with vacuum cleaner to suppress airborne dust.
Off cuts to be disposed of by the appropriate means as per principal
contractors instructions
Use designated travel paths.

All Workers / Builders

All Workers

Leading Hand /
Principal Contractor

Additional site specific

hazards. (The site should be
assessed for any hazards
that have not been captured
in this SWMS. Any additional
hazards should be
addressed here).

Remember: Each SWMS should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the SWMS.
All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.