This Cleaning of Fire Stairs, Ramps and Passage Ways SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers vacuuming, mopping and wiping down fire stairs, ramps and passageways. It sets out 13 activities, from preparation to rubbish disposal 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
Commercial and strata cleaning companies
Building and facilities managers
Shopping centre and car park cleaning crews
Office tower and apartment building cleaners
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of cleaning businesses 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
Informing workers about new or introduced hazards
Preparation, including triggering fire alarms and working isolated in stairwells
Vacuuming: repetitive tasks, dust, manual handling and electrocution
Cleaning handrails, handles and fixtures without slips or skin irritation
Mopping: chemical exposure, manual handling and slips on stairs and ramps
Skin, eye and inhalation exposure to chemicals during spraying
Electric shock from powered cleaning equipment in wet areas
Checking work and caring for equipment, including contamination and breathing difficulty
Disposing of rubbish, including strains and cuts from sharps
Spills and runoff onto floors, drains and public walkways
Finishing the task so fire alarms aren't left isolated
Emergency response to fire, chemical or injury 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 a backpack vacuum, wet floor signs and barricades for stairwell closures
Training needs, including induction, task training and manual handling
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 cleaning fire stairs, ramps and passageways?
Only if the work is high risk construction work, for example cleaning stairwells in a building under construction where someone could fall more than 2 metres. Routine cleaning of fire stairs, ramps and passageways isn't, so a SWMS isn't mandatory. You still have to manage risks like slips on stairs and fire alarm isolation, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients and building managers often ask for one.
Does it deal with fire alarms in stairwells?
Yes. It covers the risk of triggering a fire alarm during preparation and the risk of the fire alarm being left isolated at the end of the task, along with miscommunication.
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.
