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Rope Access

SWMS · SWMS-10142

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

This SWMS covers the hazards and controls for working from industrial rope access systems.

It takes your crew through 13 job steps, from a rigging plan and a falls emergency rescue plan to checking the weather, inspecting the rope access system, harnesses, lifting equipment and anchor points, working on the ropes, dismantling and emergency response.

It suits rope access technicians, construction companies, safety officers and project managers involved in high-risk construction work at height.

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

Preview of the Rope Access SWMS

Rope Access

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.

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

Australian Government

Acts and regulations

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

Australian Capital Territory

Acts and regulations

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

Queensland

Acts and regulations

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

New South Wales

Acts and regulations

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

Northern Territory

Acts and regulations

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

South Australia

Acts and regulations

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

Tasmania

Acts and regulations

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

Western Australia

Acts and regulations

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

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

    Planning

    • Hazard

      • Incorrect system design

      • System collapse

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Rigging plan developed and approved by a competent person, i.e., engineer

      • Rigging plan should include:

        • Location (address)

        • Type of building

        • The layout of the building (including skylights/other potential dangers)

        • Anchor points (positions/locations and material to be fixed to)

        • Types of anchors and fixing methods

        • Number of people undertaking work

        • Type of system used.

      • Ensure all components of the rope access system meet relevant Standards

      • Purpose-built suspension rigs must:

        • Be verified by an engineer

        • Be clearly marked with the brand name, model number, and serial number

        • Be clearly marked with its capacity and intended use

        • Clearly display the mass in kg of any movable or removable counterweights.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • SupervisorConfirm the correct system

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

12 more job steps, from Implement a falls emergency rescue plan to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

13 job steps

  1. PlanningHave a competent person develop and approve the rigging plan
  2. Implement a falls emergency rescue planPut a falls rescue plan in place for the site
  3. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark safely, report to the site supervisor and assess the site conditions
  4. Work area set-upIsolate the area below and set up the anchor points and ropes to the rigging plan
  5. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for hot or cold conditions
  6. EnvironmentMinimise noise, waste and other environmental impacts
  7. HousekeepingKeep the work area clean and clear to prevent slips and trips
  8. Manual tasksHandle materials and equipment safely to prevent musculoskeletal injuries
  9. Pre-inspect system, harnesses, lifting equipment & anchor pointsInspect the rope access system, harnesses, lifting equipment and anchor points before use
  10. Working on the rope access systemWork on the ropes with fall restraint or arrest systems in place
  11. DismantlingDismantle in a systematic way and lower all components under control
  12. On completionSign out on the site register and keep to the designated routes
  13. Emergency responseFollow the emergency procedures and rescue a worker suspended in a harness

Hazards it covers

Legislation and standards it references

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

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