This Bricklaying SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for laying bricks and blocks, including mixing mortar, cutting with a brick saw and working from scaffolding. It covers 19 activities, from positioning mixers and setting up work platforms to site clean-up 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
Bricklaying and blocklaying contractors
Builders and building contractors
Labourers working on masonry crews
Retaining wall and landscape construction contractors
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
What this SWMS covers
Briefing workers on site hazards and checking licences and training
Positioning mixers, equipment and materials, with manual handling controls
Setting up scaffolding or work platforms to prevent falls and collapse
Mixing mortar and cement, including electric mixer safety
Brick saw pre-start checks, water hook-up and cutting
Respirable crystalline silica from cutting, mixing and handling bricks and mortar
Laying bricks, including strains, crushed fingers and dropped bricks
Alkaline burns and dermatitis from wet concrete, mortar and cement
Mortar and slurry waste, saw area clean-up and site clean-up
Changes in weather, including wall collapse, lightning and heat
Working around other trades, EWPs and deliveries
Emergency response to falls, collapse, electric shock or fire
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 19 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 the cement mixer, brick saw, portable RCD and H class vacuum
Maintenance checks for mixers, saws and electrical equipment, plus qualifications and training
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 bricklaying?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example laying bricks where someone could fall more than 2 metres, or in an area with moving powered mobile plant. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Builders, head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover wet cement burns?
Yes. It covers alkaline chemical burns and serious eye injury from wet concrete, mortar, cement, grout and render, including the fact that these burns often don't hurt at the time of contact.
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.
