This Cleaning of Vehicles SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers washing, vacuuming and detailing vehicles, including pressure washers, chemicals and vehicle hoists. It sets out 13 activities, from pre-operating safety checks to ladder use 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
Car wash and detailing businesses
Fleet, transport and bus depots
Car dealerships and hire car yards
Mobile car detailers and valet services
Council and plant hire workshops
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of 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
Pre-operating checks: chemicals, fumes, spills and explosion risk
Pressure washer and hose use, including trips and chemical exposure
Handling cleaning chemicals and detergents, spills and skin irritation
Refuelling or maintaining the pressure washer, with fire and fuel spill controls
Vacuuming: dust, manual handling, electrocution and trips over cords
Portable electrical equipment and leads in wet conditions
Driving vehicles into the wash or hoist area around pedestrians
Aligning, raising and lowering vehicles on the hoist, including topple and crush risks
Using the hoist, including items dropping onto people below and reaching injuries
Working alone or after hours, including aggression and no phone coverage
Ladder use, falls and falling objects
Emergency response to chemical spills, fire or injury
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, maintenance checks and the training each worker needs
Daily pre-start checks for cleaning equipment, leads and vehicle hoists, with tag-out of faults
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 vehicles?
Only if the work is high risk construction work, for example washing plant on a construction site where powered mobile plant is moving, or next to a road in use. Cleaning vehicles at a car wash, depot or workshop isn't, so a SWMS isn't mandatory. You still have to manage risks like vehicle hoists and pedestrians in shared traffic areas, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients and fleet operators often ask for one.
Does it cover vehicle hoists?
Yes. It covers aligning the vehicle over the hoist, hoisting and lowering, and working with the hoist, including vehicles toppling, people caught in moving equipment and items dropping onto people below.
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.
