Trestles

SWMS · SWMS-10282

10 job steps
Version 7
Working at Height
Reads on any phone

The Trestles SWMS is designed for the safety and efficiency of working at height, focusing on the use of trestles. It provides a comprehensive guide to managing risks and implementing effective control measures.

It covers 10 job steps: training, manual handling, transporting trestles, arriving on site and assessing conditions, choosing and inspecting trestles, setting up trestles, working on trestles, completion, emergency response and incident management.

It is developed for a broad range of professionals and industries, including construction workers, painters, and anyone involved in work requiring trestles.

Trestles

SWMSVersion 7

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 the 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)

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

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 and licences

All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card for construction work
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 are 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.

Monitoring and 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 are 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

(add notes specific to this site)

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Foot Protection
High Visibility
Eye Protection
Hand Protection
Protective Clothing
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

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

Work activity
Training
- Hazard
  Lack of knowledge or training on safe trestle use
  Before controls3 High
  Controls
  - Provide training for all workers on safe trestle use, including choosing the right trestle, correct setup, and safe climbing practices.
  - Train workers in proper manual handling techniques.
  After controls2 Moderate
  Responsible
  - Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

Work activity
Manual handling
Lift and carry trestles safely
Work activity
Transporting trestles
Secure trestles for transport
Work activity
Arrival on-site & assess on-site conditions
Assess the worksite and its conditions
Work activity
Choosing & inspecting trestles
Choose a suitable trestle and inspect it before use
Work activity
Setting up trestles
Set up trestles on stable ground and watch for overhead power lines
Work activity
Working on trestles
Work safely from the trestle and guard against falls and falling objects
Work activity
On completion
Dismantle and store trestles and leave the work area clear
Work activity
Emergency response
Follow emergency procedures and call for help
Work activity
Incident management
Report incidents and learn from them

Permits

Plant and equipment

Hazardous substances

Supervisory arrangements

SWMS Sign-off

This SWMS developed in consultation and cooperation with workers and relevant organisation representatives. I have read the above SWMS, and I understand its contents. I confirm that I have the skills and training, including relevant certification, to conduct the task as described. I agree to comply with safety requirements within this SWMS, including risk control measures, safe work instructions, and PPE described.

Worker’s name	Job role / positione.g. supervisor, worker, trainee	Licences, competencies & qualificationsType / descriptionClassNumber	Date	Signature
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)

Hierarchy of controls

Risk matrix

Step 1: Determine likelihood

	Criteria	Description

Step 2: Determine consequence

Step 3: Determine the risk score

Likelihood ↑	InsignificantNo effect, or so minor that the effect is acceptable	MinorMinor first aid treatment, minimal business disruption, minimal environmental effect	ModerateSerious injuries, medium business interruption, medium environmental impact	MajorExtensive injuries or fatality, significant business interruption, environmental harm, prosecution	CatastrophicMultiple permanent disabilities or fatalities, business failure, substantial environmental harm, prosecution or imprisonment
	Consequence →
Almost certainExpected in most circumstances	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute	4 Acute
LikelyWill probably occur in most circumstances	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute	4 Acute
PossibleCould possibly occur at some time	1 Low	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute
UnlikelyUnlikely but possible	1 Low	1 Low	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute
RareHighly unlikely to occur	1 Low	1 Low	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High

1 LowRecord and monitor. Proceed with work, and review the risks regularly.
2 ModerateMaintain control measures. Be cautious when working, and monitor and review regularly.
3 HighReview before commencing work. Introduce new controls or maintain high-level controls to lower the risk level, and monitor the controls frequently.
4 AcuteDo not proceed until the risk level is reduced. Immediately introduce high-level controls, and re-assess before proceeding.

Step 4: Record risk

9 more job steps, from Manual handling to Incident management

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

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What it covers

10 job steps

TrainingTrain workers in safe trestle use
Manual handlingLift and carry trestles safely
Transporting trestlesSecure trestles for transport
Arrival on-site & assess on-site conditionsAssess the worksite and its conditions
Choosing & inspecting trestlesChoose a suitable trestle and inspect it before use
Setting up trestlesSet up trestles on stable ground and watch for overhead power lines
Working on trestlesWork safely from the trestle and guard against falls and falling objects
On completionDismantle and store trestles and leave the work area clear
Emergency responseFollow emergency procedures and call for help
Incident managementReport incidents and learn from them

Trestles

Preview of the Trestles SWMS

Site management plan

High-risk construction work (HRCW)

Working with a risk of a fall over 2 metres

Planning and preparation

Planning

Hold points

Training and licences

Worker duties and responsibilities

Monitoring and review

Site-specific notes

Legislation and codes of practice

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Job steps, hazards and controls

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What it covers

10 job steps

Hazards it covers

Reviews

More Working at Height SWMS

Height Access Equipment

EWP, Boom, Cherry Picker and Scissor Lift

Manual Handling

Painting and Decorating

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