Carpentry SWMS for Carpenter Contractors

When you need this document

A builder or principal contractor is asking for a site-specific SWMS before you can get on the job, or your work falls under a high risk construction work category and the law requires one before work starts.

What it covers for carpenter work

Typical hazards addressed: falls during frame and truss erection, structural collapse during alterations, power tool injuries (saws, nail guns), manual handling of frames and sheet material, silica dust when cutting fibre cement. Citations from the Carpenter focus list:

• §reg 78 and reg 79: manage the risk of ANY fall liable to cause injury during frame, roof and formwork carpentry; a fall of more than 2 m is additionally high risk construction work under reg 291
• §reg 36: hierarchy of controls for temporary structural support and edge protection
• §reg 291: high risk construction work includes structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse. The regulation says alterations or repairs: never describe erecting new framing as an alteration or repair. If the contractor selected this category for new work, record it as the contractor's selection and control the temporary bracing
• §AS 3610: formwork for concrete
• §AS/NZS 4576: scaffolding guidelines when working from scaffolds
• §AS/NZS 1892: portable ladders
• §reg 44 to reg 47: PPE duties
• §reg 447: the asbestos duties for demolition and refurbishment (reg 448 to reg 457) apply to the demolition or refurbishment of a structure or plant constructed or installed before 31 December 2003. Demolition or refurbishment does not include minor or routine maintenance work, or other minor work. Where these duties apply they are law, never good practice
• §reg 448 to reg 450: before demolition or refurbishment starts, the person with management or control of the workplace must ensure the asbestos register is reviewed (and revised if it is inadequate for the proposed work) and that the business carrying out the work is given a copy, and the business carrying out the demolition or refurbishment must obtain a copy of the asbestos register from the person with management or control of the workplace before it starts the work
• §reg 451: where there is no asbestos register for the structure or plant, the business that is to carry out the demolition or refurbishment must not carry it out until the structure or plant has been inspected to determine whether asbestos or ACM is fixed to or installed in it, and must ensure that the determination is undertaken by a competent person. It must assume that asbestos or ACM is fixed to or installed in the structure or plant if the competent person is, on reasonable grounds, uncertain, or if part of the structure or plant is inaccessible and likely to be disturbed. If asbestos or ACM is determined or assumed to be present, it must inform the occupier and the owner of the premises (residential premises) or, in any other case, the person with management or control of the workplace
• §reg 456 and reg 457: all asbestos that is likely to be disturbed by the refurbishment must be identified and, so far as is reasonably practicable, removed before the refurbishment is commenced. For residential premises this is the duty of the business carrying out the refurbishment (reg 457); for any other workplace it is the duty of the person with management or control of the workplace, or of the structure or plant (reg 456)

What's inside

• ✓ Title block: PCBU, principal contractor, site address, prepared and review dates
• ✓ High risk construction work categories identified for your activity
• ✓ Step-by-step work method with hazards, risk ratings, and controls
• ✓ Controls in hierarchy order: eliminate, substitute, isolate, engineer, administer, PPE
• ✓ Plant, equipment, permits, licences, and training requirements
• ✓ Emergency procedures and review triggers
• ✓ Your state’s legislation cited (WHS Regulation, or OHS Regulations in Victoria)
• ✓ Worker consultation and sign-off block