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Lasers

SWMS · SWMS-10001

  • 9 job steps
  • Version 7
  • Civil Works
  • Reads on any phone

This SWMS covers the hazards and controls for using Class 1, 2, 3A and 3R lasers on construction sites for alignment, levelling, control and survey work. Class 3B and Class 4 lasers must not be used on construction sites.

The SWMS takes your crew through each step, from checking the weather, arriving on site and setting up the work area to laser operation, working around mobile plant and near roads, completion and emergency response.

It suits businesses and contractors on construction projects that use lasers, and the site supervisors, laser operators and safety officers who run the work.

Written by SafetyDocs safety experts, who have been writing safety documents since 2004.

Preview of the Lasers SWMS

Lasers

SWMSVersion 7
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact
—
Business contact 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 the requirements of the site management plan in place for the project.

High-risk construction work (HRCW)

This work involves the following high-risk construction work (HRCW), marked in the job steps below.

  • FallsRisk of a person falling more than two metres. Note: in some jurisdictions this is three metres.
  • Traffic CorridorsWork on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians
  • 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

Planning

  • Liaise with the principal contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • The principal contractor confirms that emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Identify hold points and sign them off before work continues: (specify the hold points)

Training and licences

  • All workers hold a general construction induction card

  • Workers hold the relevant certificates of competency, licences and training, recorded for each worker in the SWMS sign-off

  • A trained first aider is on site

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

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Be fit for work, i.e. no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions and briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE and 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.

Monitoring and review

  • Communicate this SWMS to everyone involved in the task before work starts

  • Review this SWMS, and amend it if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

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

  • Inform the people affected by revisions to this SWMS, including workers, contractors and subcontractors, as soon as possible

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor monitors work against the controls in this SWMS

  • Keep this SWMS on site and available for inspection or review

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

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

Site-specific notes

(add notes specific to this site)

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 (How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks) 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 (How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice) Approval 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

  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks 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

  • How to manage work health and safety risks 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

  • How to manage work health and safety risks - 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

  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: 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

  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks - 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

  • How to manage work health and safety risks – 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
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Sun Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Tie back long and loose hair.

Job steps, hazards and controls

Each hazard is rated before controls (IR, the inherent risk) and after them (RR, the residual risk), using the risk matrix below.

  • Work activity

    Check weather conditions and prepare

    • Hazard

      Extreme weather

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Check weather conditions – do not work in extreme conditions

      • Reschedule work to more moderate temperatures.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • SupervisorMaintain awareness of weather conditions
      • OperatorFollow controls
    • Hazard

      • Hyperthermia

      • Hypothermia

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Ensure workers are trained to recognise the symptoms of hyperthermia and hypothermia

      • In hot conditions, ensure:

        • Suitable protective clothing

        • Sun brims on hard hats

        • UV-rated safety glasses

        • 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin

        • Adequate drinking water

        • Access to shade on breaks

        • Adequate breaks.

      • In cold conditions, ensure workers:

        • Take scheduled warm-up breaks, held inside

        • Dress warmly in layers

        • Stay dry (wet clothing chills the body rapidly)

        • Get out of the cold as soon as they can if they start to feel symptoms

        • Know that alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and certain medications increase susceptibility to cold.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • SupervisorMaintain awareness of weather conditions
      • OperatorFollow controls

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

8 more job steps, from Arrival on site and assess site conditions to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

9 job steps

  1. Check weather conditions and prepareCheck the forecast, reschedule work in extreme weather, and prepare crews for heat or cold.
  2. Arrival on site and assess site conditionsPark clear of traffic, report to the site supervisor, complete the induction and assess the site.
  3. Work area set-upSign and barricade the operating area, and set the beam well above or below eye level.
  4. EnvironmentManage waste, keep vehicles to established tracks and protect local fauna.
  5. Laser operationOperate Class 1, 2 or 3R lasers to the manufacturer's instructions and never look into the beam.
  6. Operating lasers on construction sitesWork to the traffic management plan around mobile plant, and stay in clear sight of plant operators.
  7. Operating lasers near roadsSet up roadside work to local laws and permits, with barriers, advance warning signs and high-vis clothing.
  8. On completionRemove or leave barricades as appropriate, sign everyone out and leave by the designated routes.
  9. Emergency responseCall 000, follow the site's 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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