This Boating and Working from Boat SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for towing, launching and operating a boat and carrying out work from it. It covers 13 activities, from preparing for boating operations and towing the vessel to retrieving the boat and emergency response, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Plumbers and maintenance contractors working on jetties, pontoons and waterfront assets
Marine construction and maintenance contractors
Environmental, survey and water sampling crews
Council and waterway management crews
Businesses that use a work boat to reach job sites
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of businesses that work on the water use one as the written risk assessment for a task, the same way others use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
Use it to
Show clients, insurers and auditors how you manage the risks
Apply for tenders, contracts and supplier panels
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and train them in the task
What this SWMS covers
Briefing workers on site hazards and checking licences and training
Preparing for boating operations, including the boat, PPE, fuel, licences and communication
Preparing the boat for launching
Towing the vessel to the launch site, including trailer detachment and load shift
Launching the boat, with drowning, vehicle impact and slip risks
Loading equipment and workers, including falls overboard and propeller contact
Boat operation, including collisions, submerged objects, capsize, hypothermia and sunburn
Working from the boat, including falls overboard, capsize and crush injuries
Landing and unloading the boat
Retrieving the boat onto the trailer, cleaning and restocking
Post-operation cleaning and waste management
Emergency response to capsize, collision, man overboard, fire or medical incidents
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 13 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, including life jackets, wet weather gear and a personal EPIRB for open waters
Qualifications, including a boating licence, a driver licence suitable for towing, and first aid
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for working from a boat?
Only if the job is high risk construction work, for example construction work in or near water where there's a risk of drowning. For other boating work a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover the plumbing work done from the boat?
It covers the boating side of the job, such as falls overboard, capsize and crush injuries while working from the boat. The plumbing tasks themselves are referred to a separate Plumbing and Drainage SWMS.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
