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Value pack · 9 templatesPart of Working at Height

Safety Harness

SWMS · SWMS-10229

  • 10 job steps
  • Version 7

The Safety Harness SWMS sets out the general safety steps, hazards and controls for installing anchor points and using a safety harness. It gives a systematic approach to safety, with best practices, potential risks and recommended controls.

It takes your crew through ten job steps: arrival on site and assessing conditions, training, anchor point set-up, fall arrest system set-up, harness inspection, donning the harness, harness use, emergency response to a fall, incident management, and completion of work and departure.

It suits professionals in construction, telecommunications and any field involving work at heights.

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

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Preview of the Safety Harness SWMS

Safety Harness

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

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

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify 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.

Monitor/review

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

  • SWMS is 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

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Foot 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 on-site conditions

    • Hazard

      Site conditions

      Before controls3 High
      Controls
      • Upon arrival, thoroughly assess the worksite to identify potential hazards (slippery surfaces, overhead obstacles, wind conditions, etc.)

      • Make necessary adjustments to the work plan based on these conditions.

      • If working on EWPs or scaffolding, for this task, ensure there are separate, dedicated EWP/Scaffolding SWMS and that all workers/employees have relevant training and licensing.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisorto ensure control measures followed
      • Workersto ensure control measures followed
    • Hazard

      Contact with electricity

      Before controls3 High
      Controls
      • Ensure no overhead obstructions (such as electric lines).

      • Do not work within No Go Zones of electric lines unless power is isolated and evidence of ongoing isolation is obtained from the electrical supplier.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisorto ensure control measures followed
      • Workersto ensure control measures followed
    • Hazard

      Changing environmental or work conditions

      Before controls3 High
      Controls
      • Working outdoors. Ensure:

        • Suitable protective clothing

        • Sun brim on hat

        • Safety glasses - UV-Rated

        • Use 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin areas

        • Access to shade during breaks

        • Check weather conditions – do not work in extreme weather.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisorto ensure control measures followed
      • Workersto ensure control measures followed

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

9 more job steps, from Training and Capabilities to Completion of Work and Departure

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

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What it covers

10 job steps

  1. Arrival on-site & assess on-site conditionsCheck the site conditions before beginning any task.
  2. Training and CapabilitiesEnsure all workers are adequately trained and proficient with the equipment.
  3. Anchor point set upPlan, install and certify the fall arrest anchor points
  4. Fall arrest System –SetupSet up the fall arrest system and check fall clearance
  5. Harness InspectionReview the harness for any potential issues before use.
  6. Donning the harnessFit the harness to the manufacturer's instructions
  7. Harness useUse the harness safely and keep tools secured
  8. Emergency response- FallRespond to a fall and await rescue
  9. Incident ManagementReport incidents and learn from them
  10. Completion of Work and DepartureInspect, maintain and store the harness

Hazards it covers

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