This Drop Saw Risk Assessment/JSA (Job Safety Analysis) is pre-filled and covers cutting timber, steel, aluminium and masonry with a drop saw or cut-off saw. It breaks the work into 10 activities, from the pre-operation inspection to 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
Carpenters, builders and framing crews
Metal fabricators and steel workers
Shopfitters and joiners
Landscapers and paving contractors cutting pavers and blocks
Fencing and pergola installers
It also works as a written task risk assessment for any business where workers use a drop saw, the same way you'd use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
A risk assessment, also called a JSA, JSEA or task risk assessment, records the hazards of a task and how you control them. If the task is part of high risk construction work, the law requires a SWMS for that work, so use our Drop Saw SWMS instead.
 
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 risk assessment covers
Pre-operation inspection of the saw, stand and leads
Lifting and positioning heavy timber and steel, and moving the saw and stands
Entanglement from long hair, loose clothing, rags and jewellery
Impact and cutting injuries from the exposed blade
Blade jams and breakage, including kickback and flying debris
Noise exposure from cutting
Electric shock and machine damage
Respirable silica dust and eye irritation when cutting masonry and pavers
End of day pack-up, covering electrical, manual handling, slip and cut risks
Emergency response to an electrical fault, fire or serious injury
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 10 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist
Plant list, including a 355 mm cut-off saw, stable saw stand and dry powder fire extinguisher
Materials such as timber, steel sections, pavers and abrasive wheels, plus daily pre-start checks and training
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Further controls action plan to track anything still to be done
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a risk assessment 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 workplace and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, an action plan, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
Comes with a step-by-step implementation guide
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, area and site details.
Check it suits your workplace 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 or a risk assessment for using a drop saw?
A SWMS is legally required when the cutting is part of high risk construction work, for example on a site where powered mobile plant is moving, or near energised electrical installations. Outside those situations it isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a risk assessment or JSA is a practical way to record how. Head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way. If the job is high risk construction work, use our Drop Saw SWMS instead.
Does it cover cutting pavers and masonry?
Yes. It covers respirable silica dust from cutting, and lists concrete pavers, blocks, bricks and tiles among the materials, with water for dust suppression.
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.