This Edge Bander Operation SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for running automatic and manual edge banders in joinery and cabinet workshops. It covers 36 activities, from commissioning and the daily pre-start to clearing jams, glue pot cleaning, shutdown 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
Cabinet makers and kitchen manufacturers
Joinery and shopfitting workshops
Furniture and office fit-out manufacturers
Panel processing and CNC cutting businesses
Edge bander operators and machinists
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of joinery workshops use one as the written risk assessment for a machine 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
Commissioning, plant risk assessment and authorised operators
Panel deliveries, forklifts and manual handling of sheets and trolleys
Guard, interlock and emergency stop checks, and exclusion zones
Dust extraction start-up, cutter inspection and machine set-up
Hot melt adhesive burns and fume from overheated glue and PVC tape
Entanglement at the feed chain, rollers and buffing wheels
Hands drawn into the feed rollers, and contact with trim and pre-mill cutters
Safe restart after an emergency stop, and clearing jams with the machine isolated
Glue pot cleaning, electrical safety and compressed air
Formaldehyde from MDF and particleboard, and silica from compact laminate or fibre cement
Noise, heat, repetitive work, fire and dust deflagration in the extraction system
Emergency response to entanglement, hot melt burns, lacerations or fire
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 36 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, materials and start-of-shift checks for guards, interlocks and the glue pot
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4024 for machinery safety and AS/NZS 4745 for combustible dust
Machine-specific training, isolation and lock-out, and respirator fit testing
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 edge bander operation?
No. Running an edge bander in a workshop isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage the risks, including entanglement and hot melt burns, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover combustible dust in the extraction system?
Yes. It covers fires started by frictional heat or the glue pot and drawn into the extraction system, dust deflagration inside ducting, bins and on overhead surfaces, and servicing the extraction system, with reference to AS/NZS 4745.
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.
