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Height Access Equipment

SWMS · SWMS-10131

  • 17 job steps
  • Version 10
  • Working at Height
  • Reads on any phone

Working at height is one of the most dangerous activities in construction, and it's important to follow safety controls and use the right equipment. This SWMS covers the hazards and controls for working on fixed scaffolding, erecting and working on mobile and trestle scaffolds, using extension, vertical and platform ladders, and using a fall arrest system (the safety harness).

It takes your crew through each step, from arriving on site, setting up the work area and assessing the risk to working on fixed structures, vehicles, scaffolds and ladders, packing up and emergency response.

It identifies the hazards and their control measures, guides the risk assessment for working at height and includes a response for emergencies. It suits businesses and workers in construction, maintenance or any activity that needs height access equipment.

Preview of the Height Access Equipment SWMS

Height Access Equipment

SWMSVersion 10
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)
[Principal contractor]
PC address
—
PC phone
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job site address
[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 (HRCW)

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

  • FallsRisk of a person falling more than two metres. Note: in some jurisdictions this is three metres.
  • Mobile PlantWork in an area where there is any movement of powered mobile plant

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

  • 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

Australian Government

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011

Codes of practice

  • Work Health and Safety (First Aid in the Workplace) Code of Practice 2015
  • Work Health and Safety (How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks) Code of Practice 2015
  • Work Health and Safety (Managing the Work Environment and Facilities) Code of Practice 2015
  • Work Health and Safety (Construction Work) Code of Practice 2015

Australian Capital Territory

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Codes of practice

  • Work Health and Safety (First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice) Approval 2020
  • Work Health and Safety (How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice) Approval 2025
  • Work Health and Safety (Managing the Work Environment and Facilities) Code of Practice 2025
  • Work Health and Safety (Construction Work Code of Practice) Approval 2025

Queensland

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021

New South Wales

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the workplace code of practice 2020
  • How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2019
  • Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice 2019
  • Construction work code of practice 2019

Northern Territory

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011

Codes of practice

  • First aid in the workplace – Code of practice 2022
  • How to manage work health and safety risks - Code of practice 2026
  • Managing the work environment and facilities - Code of practice 2026
  • Construction work - code of practice 2026

South Australia

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012
  • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2012

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the Workplace: Code of practice 2020
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of practice 2020
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of practice 2020
  • Construction work Code of Practice 2024

Tasmania

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2012
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022

Codes of practice

  • First Aid in the Workplace - Code of practice 2020
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks - Code of practice 2024
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities - Code of practice 2024
  • Construction Work - Code of practice 2024

Western Australia

Acts and regulations

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2020
  • Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022

Codes of practice

  • First aid in the workplace - Code of Practice 2022
  • How to manage work health and safety risks – Code of practice 2022
  • Managing the work environment and facilities – Code of practice 2022
  • Construction work – Code of practice 2022

Victoria

Acts and regulations

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
  • Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Foot Protection
  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Sun Protection
  • Safety Harness

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

    Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditions

    • Hazard

      Personal injury, property damage &/or environmental incident

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • The vehicle should be positioned in a safe location, clear of traffic/vehicles/pedestrians during equipment delivery and materials removal (deploy physical barriers, caution signs as necessary)

      • Do not park illegally

      • Identify and obey all safety-related signage (check site entry requirements)

      • Report to Site Supervisor

      • Ensure site-specific induction undertaken

      • Assess mobile phone reception

      • The worksite is exactly as detailed in Terms of Agreement or contract

      • Complete a JSA specifying the control measures for unanticipated hazards.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • SupervisorCheck the site and conduct JSA where necessary

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

16 more job steps, from Work area set-up to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

17 job steps

  1. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark clear of traffic, report to the site supervisor, complete the site induction and a JSA.
  2. Work area set-upProtect edges and openings, check the working surface, barricade exclusion zones and check the weather.
  3. Conduct a risk assessmentAssess the work at height with the checklist and adopt the highest possible level of fall control.
  4. EnvironmentManage noise, waste, spills, wash-out, weeds, vehicle movement and animals on site.
  5. HousekeepingKeep the work area tidy and lit, clean up spills and wear suitable non-slip footwear.
  6. Manual tasksKeep materials close, know the weight, use team or mechanical lifts and rotate jobs.
  7. Working at height on fixed structuresCheck the working surface, keep edge protection in place, and cover and secure holes and openings.
  8. Working on vehicles/mobile plantFace the machine and keep three points of contact when mounting and dismounting.
  9. Working at height using a fall arrest system – the safety harnessInspect and fit the harness, plan the fall arrest system and anchor points, and rehearse the rescue plan.
  10. Working at height on fixed scaffoldUse a scaffold signed off by a competent person, keep within its safe working load and barricade the drop zone.
  11. Working at height on mobile scaffolding & trestlesLock the castors, never move a mobile scaffold with people or materials on it, set up trestles correctly and stay clear of power lines.
  12. Working at height > 2m on extension or single ladderUse the ladder for access only, set it up on a stable base, secure it and keep three points of contact.
  13. Working on platform laddersUse an inspected industrial-grade platform ladder, fully opened with the spreaders locked.
  14. Using vertical laddersInspect the vertical ladder and its safety hoops, face it and keep three points of contact.
  15. General work at heightBarricade and sign exclusion zones and secure tools and materials so nothing falls.
  16. On completionDismantle mobile scaffolds and trestles in a planned way, remove or add barricades and sign everyone out.
  17. Emergency responseCall 000, follow site emergency procedures, give first aid and report the incident.

Hazards it covers

Legislation and standards it references

Every SWMS comes with our legislation and codes of practice reference list.

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