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System · 113 documentsPart of Carpentry on Construction OHS-WHS Industry Suite

Decking

SWMS · SWMS-10563

  • 19 job steps
  • Version 5

This Decking Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) outlines the safety steps, general hazards and controls for erecting decking, including managing the risk of falls from height, mobile plant movement and pressurised gas lines.

It covers 19 job steps, from planning, weather checks and materials delivery to excavating and setting post footings, installing post stirrups onto concrete, fixing bearers and joists, laying the deck, applying deck finishes and emergency response.

It includes controls for high-risk construction work and for environmental impact, silica dust, wet cement, working at height, manual tasks and hazardous chemicals.

It suits construction companies, decking specialists, landscapers and outdoor designers, and safety officers and consultants.

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Preview of the Decking SWMS

Decking

SWMSVersion 5
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact and phone
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal Contractor (PC)
—
PC Address
—
PC phone
—
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job Site Address
—
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW – identified in the Job Task column):

  • Mobile Plant
  • Gas MainsWork on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
  • Hazardous LinesWork on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
  • Energised ElectricalWork on or near energised electrical installations or services
  • FallsInvolves a risk of a person falling from 2m or more, including work on telecommunications towers

Working with a risk of a fall over 2 metres

The fall from height hierarchy of control level considered when establishing controls:

  • L1Work on the ground or solid construction, not chosen
  • L2Use a passive fall restraint system, e.g. guard rails, scaffolding, EWP, not chosen
  • L3Use a work positioning system, e.g. travel restraint, rope access, not chosen
  • L4Use a fall arrest system, e.g. safety harness, catch platforms, not chosen
  • L5Implement administrative controls, e.g. signage or instruction, not chosen

No level has been chosen yet.

Planning and preparation

Planning/Preparation

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training/Licence

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitor/Review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment

  • Foot Protection
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Sun Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Planning & preparation

    • Hazard

      Falls from heights > 2m.

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Conduct a risk assessment for working at height

      • Based on the Risk Assessment, ensure the highest possible level of controls is adopted.

      • More than one measure can be used to reduce risk. For example, engineering controls like edge protection can be implemented with administrative controls such as training and use of this SWMS, while wearing PPE (non-slip shoes).

      • Ensure a dedicated SWMS is in place for height access, e.g., EWP, rope access, mesh or other systems.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisorsto check all controls for working at height

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

18 more job steps, from Check weather conditions & prepare to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

19 job steps

  1. Planning & preparationPlan and control work at height before starting.
  2. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck for extreme weather and manage heat and cold.
  3. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsAssess the site for hazards and safety requirements.
  4. Materials deliveryDeliver and unload materials safely.
  5. Work area set-upSet up a secure work area to prevent unauthorised access and injuries.
  6. EnvironmentManage the environmental impact of noise, waste and pollution.
  7. House keepingKeep the site clean and orderly to prevent slips, trips and falls.
  8. Manual tasksReduce the risks of manual handling and ergonomics.
  9. Working with powered & non-powered toolsUse powered and non-powered tools safely.
  10. Working with hazardous materialsManage the risks of handling hazardous substances.
  11. Setting out/profiling building linesPrevent slips, trips and falls while setting out.
  12. Excavating post footingsProtect underground services and control the hazards of excavating.
  13. Installing post stirrups onto concreteControl exposure to silica dust when cutting, grinding or drilling.
  14. Setting posts in cementControl the risks of wet cement, including burns and skin sensitivities.
  15. Fixing bearers and joistsPrevent falls while fixing bearers and joists.
  16. Laying deckPrevent falls while laying decking.
  17. Deck Finishes (e.g. oils and paints)Control exposure to hazardous chemicals when applying deck finishes.
  18. On completionSecure the site and control the hazards left on completion.
  19. Emergency responseRespond to emergencies and injuries.

Hazards it covers

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