Does work with a risk of falling more than 2 metres need a SWMS?

Yes. It is one of the 18 high risk construction work categories, so a Safe Work Method Statement is legally required before the work starts, prepared in consultation with the workers doing it.

What must the SWMS cover?

The hazards of each step, the controls in hierarchy order (eliminate the fall: do the work at ground level where practicable; passive protection: edge protection, guard rails, and covers over penetrations), the plant and licences involved, emergency procedures, and your state legislation, all specific to the actual site.

Work with a Risk of Falling More Than 2 Metres

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Any construction work where a person could fall more than 2 metres is high risk construction work: roof work, scaffolds, elevating work platforms, ladders above 2 m, and work near unprotected edges or penetrations. A SWMS is required before the work starts.

Why this is high risk construction work

Falls from height are the leading cause of death in construction, and the risk exists on almost every site. Because it is so common and so lethal, it is the high risk category regulators scrutinise most.

Because it is one of the 18 high risk construction work categories, a SWMS is legally required before the work starts (your state's WHS Regulations, provision 299; s 299 in NSW), not a nice-to-have.

The controls a SWMS should set out

In hierarchy of controls order, highest first:

✓ Eliminate the fall: do the work at ground level where practicable
✓ Passive protection: edge protection, guard rails, and covers over penetrations
✓ Work platforms: scaffolds and EWPs before ladders
✓ Fall-arrest: harness and rated anchor only where higher controls are not practicable
✓ Protect people below with exclusion zones and toe boards

The SWMS for this work

This category has a dedicated guide and generator: Working at heights SWMS. It covers the specific hazards and controls above and produces a site-specific document in minutes.

Trades that do this work

These trades commonly need a SWMS for this category. Each has a trade-specific SWMS:

Roofer SWMS Carpenter SWMS Electrician SWMS Painter SWMS Scaffolder SWMS

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Other high risk construction work

on a Telecommunication Tower Demolition of a Load-Bearing Structure Likely to Disturb Asbestos Structural Alterations Requiring Temporary Support In or Near a Confined Space in a Trench or Shaft Deeper Than 1.5 m All 18 categories