FREE WHS TEMPLATE
Free SWMS Template (Word)
A blank Safe Work Method Statement in the same format as our ready-to-use SWMS. Set out the job steps, the hazards and how each risk will be controlled, with a high risk construction work checklist, risk matrix, worker sign-off and step-by-step instructions. Editable in Microsoft Word.
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WHEN YOU NEED ONE
When you'll be asked for a SWMS
Most businesses need a SWMS because someone asks for one before the work can go ahead. Legally, a SWMS is only required for high risk construction work. Outside that, it's one of the most widely used formats for planning a job and showing how you'll manage its risks, so clients, head contractors and tender forms ask for it whatever the work is.
Tenders and prequalification
A tender, council contract, Avetta or Cm3 submission asks for SWMS for the work you do.
Before you start on site
A principal contractor or head contractor wants your SWMS before you can start.
Client requests, any industry
Cleaning, gardening, maintenance, hospitality or transport work, where the client asks for a SWMS by name.
Planning a higher risk task
Any job with serious risks, where you want the steps and controls written down and the crew signed on.
High risk construction work
The one case where the law requires a SWMS. It must be prepared before the work starts. See the list below.
When the law requires a SWMS
The WHS Regulations list 18 types of high risk construction work. If any one of them applies to the job, a SWMS must be prepared before the work starts. The free template includes this checklist, so you can tick what applies.
1. Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
2. Work on a telecommunication tower
3. Demolition of a load-bearing element of a structure
4. Work likely to involve disturbing asbestos
5. Structural alterations or repairs that need temporary support to prevent collapse
6. Work in or near a confined space
7. Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or a tunnel
8. Use of explosives
9. Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping
10. Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
11. Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
12. Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
13. Tilt-up or precast concrete elements
14. Work on, in or next to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use
15. Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
16. Work in areas with artificial extremes of temperature
17. Work in or near water or other liquid with a risk of drowning
18. Diving work
Victoria: the OHS Regulations 2017 have their own list of high risk construction work (reg 322) and their own SWMS requirements (reg 327). Duty holders are employers and self-employed persons.
South Australia: since 1 July 2026, the fall trigger is more than 2 metres, in line with the other model WHS states. SA previously used more than 3 metres.
Not on the list? You may still need a SWMS because a client or contractor asks for it. Every business has to manage the risks of its work, and a SWMS is a clear way to show how you're doing it.
Testing, maintenance and repair work of a minor nature isn't construction work, so it doesn't trigger the SWMS duty on its own. Fall risk must still be managed at any height.
WHAT THE LAW EXPECTS
What a SWMS must include
The high risk construction work involved
The hazards and risks of that work
The control measures for those risks
How the controls will be put in place, monitored and reviewed
It must be written so the workers using it can understand it, and prepared with the workers who do the job (and your HSR if you have one). The work must then follow the SWMS. If it doesn't, stop the work as soon as it's safe to, and only restart when it complies.
Keep the SWMS until the work is finished. If a notifiable incident happens during that work, keep it for at least 2 years.
WHAT'S IN THE TEMPLATE
Everything a SWMS needs, ready to fill in
Business and job details
Project, site, principal contractor, prepared and reviewed by.
PPE, plant and licences
PPE checklist, plant and equipment, materials, SDS, licences and training.
High risk construction work checklist
All 18 categories, ready to tick.
Job steps table
Steps, hazards, risk before and after controls, plus site-specific hazards.
Risk matrix and hierarchy of controls
So every risk is rated the same way and controls are chosen in the right order.
Sign-off, consultation and instructions
Worker sign-on, consultation record and a one-page instruction sheet.
HOW TO USE IT
How to fill in a SWMS, step by step
1
Fill in the job details
Your business, the project, the client or principal contractor, and the site.
2
Record what the job needs
PPE, plant and equipment, materials, licences and training.
3
Tick the high risk work
Mark every high risk construction work category that applies.
4
Assess each step
List the job steps, the hazards in each, and rate the risk with the matrix.
5
Set the controls
Work down the hierarchy of controls, then re-rate the risk.
6
Consult, brief and sign off
Prepare it with the workers, explain it before work starts, and have everyone sign on.
7
Monitor and review
Check the controls are working and update the SWMS if the job, site or crew changes.
SWMS examples: one job step from three different trades
TRADE
Roofing
High risk construction work
JOB STEP
Fix roof sheets near the edge of a single-storey roof
HAZARD
Falling more than 2 metres from the roof edge
RISK BEFORE
Very High (15)
Possible (3) x Substantial (5)
CONTROLS
Perimeter edge protection installed and inspected before work starts. Access by scaffold stair, not a ladder. No one works outside the edge protection. Exclusion zone below the work area.
RISK AFTER
High (5)
Rare (1) x Substantial (5)
RESPONSIBLE
Site supervisor
TRADE
Commercial cleaning
Requested by the client
JOB STEP
Clean washrooms using chemical cleaning products
HAZARD
Chemical splashes to eyes and skin, and toxic fumes if products are mixed
RISK BEFORE
Very High (12)
Likely (4) x Moderate (3)
CONTROLS
Use pre-diluted products from a dispensing system. Never mix chemicals. SDS available on the cleaning trolley. Ventilate the room. Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection.
RISK AFTER
Low (4)
Unlikely (2) x Minor (2)
RESPONSIBLE
Cleaning team leader
TRADE
Gardening and grounds
Requested by the council
JOB STEP
Trim grass with a brushcutter next to a public footpath
HAZARD
Stones and debris thrown at passers-by or the operator, and noise
RISK BEFORE
Very High (12)
Likely (4) x Moderate (3)
CONTROLS
Clear stones and rubbish first. Set up an exclusion zone with signs. Stop cutting when anyone approaches. Debris guard fitted. Face shield, hearing protection and long clothing.
RISK AFTER
Low (4)
Unlikely (2) x Minor (2)
RESPONSIBLE
Crew leader
A Substantial consequence never rates below High on the matrix, so the roofing step stays High (5) even with good controls. Its score of 5 sits in the acceptable range, but it's a prompt to keep checking the controls. The cleaning and gardening jobs aren't high risk construction work, but a SWMS is a common way to document them when a client asks.
THE RISK MATRIX
How the 5 x 5 risk matrix works
Score how likely harm is (1 to 5, down the side) and how serious it could be (1 to 5, across the top). Multiply them, and the cell where they meet gives the risk level. Rate each step twice: before controls and after.
Negligible (1)
Minor (2)
Moderate (3)
Major (4)
Substantial (5)
Almost certain (5)
Low
5
Moderate
10
Very High
15
Extreme
20
Extreme
25
Likely (4)
Low
4
Moderate
8
Very High
12
Very High
16
Extreme
20
Possible (3)
Low
3
Moderate
6
High
9
Very High
12
Very High
15
Unlikely (2)
Low
2
Low
4
High
6
High
8
Very High
10
Rare (1)
Low
1
Low
2
Moderate
3
High
4
High
5
1 to 6: Acceptable Proceed with the controls in place and confirm they're working.
7 to 10: Acceptable with strict controls or short duration Review the controls and add further reasonably practicable controls before work proceeds.
11 to 25: Unacceptable The work doesn't start, or stops, until further controls reduce the risk.
CHOOSING CONTROLS
Use the hierarchy of controls
Start at the top and only move down when the control above isn't reasonably practicable. Most risks end up with a combination.
MOST EFFECTIVE
1. Eliminate
Remove the hazard altogether, so far as is reasonably practicable
▼
2. Minimise: one or a combination of these (same level)
Substitute
Swap for something safer
Isolate
Separate people from the hazard
Engineering
Change plant or processes
▼
3. Administrative controls
Procedures, training, signage and supervision for the risk that remains
▼
4. PPE
Personal protective equipment, last, for whatever risk is left
LEAST EFFECTIVE
BLANK OR PRE-FILLED?
Free blank SWMS or a pre-filled SWMS?
Both use the same layout. The difference is who writes the steps, hazards and controls.
Free blank SWMS
Pre-filled SWMS
Layout, checklists and matrix
✓
✓
Job steps, hazards and controls
You write them
Already written for the task
Risk ratings
You rate them
Rated before and after controls
Best for
Unusual tasks, or if you're confident writing your own
Getting on site sooner, and tasks you do often
Still to do either way
Check it against the job and site, add your details, consult your workers and sign it off
Get the free SWMS template
Editable Word document with the high risk construction work checklist, risk matrix and step-by-step instructions. Your download link is emailed straight away.
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Our pre-filled SWMS use this same layout, with the job steps, hazards, controls and risk ratings written for the task. Check them against your site, add your details and get started.
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