This Cash Handling and Armed Robbery Response SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers handling, counting, storing and banking cash, and what workers do before, during and after a hold-up. It sets out the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for 31 activities, from the pre-start briefing and cash risk assessment to closing up, leaving after dark and emergency response. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Retail shops, supermarkets and convenience stores
Service stations and takeaway food outlets
Pubs, clubs and hospitality venues
Newsagents, bottle shops and post office agencies
Wholesale businesses that collect cash on delivery runs
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of retailers and venues 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
Cash risk assessment, holding limits and reducing the cash kept on site
Premises layout, duress alarms, CCTV and checking security equipment works
Back-of-house access, deliveries and first-in checks when opening
Recognising suspicious behaviour and handling cash at the point of sale
Register clearing, back-office counting, cash discrepancies and handling coin
Soiled cash, sharps and bodily fluids
Banking runs, driving with cash, cash-in-transit handovers and cash on delivery
Customer aggression, threats, extortion and scam demands
Armed hold-up response, immediate actions afterwards and post-incident support
Working alone, after-hours alarm call-outs, closing up and leaving after dark
Emergency response to an armed hold-up, assault or duress activation
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 31 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
Equipment list, materials, and maintenance checks for duress alarms, CCTV, safes and lighting
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 2201.1 for intruder alarms and AS 3745 for emergency planning
Training notes covering hold-up survival, de-escalation, counterfeit detection and annual hold-up drills
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 cash handling?
No. Cash handling isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage the risks, including armed robbery and customer aggression, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it include what to do during a hold-up?
Yes. It covers not resisting, chasing or arguing with an armed offender, the immediate actions after the offender leaves, preserving evidence, and post-incident support for workers. It also sets annual hold-up and lockdown drills.
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.