This EV and Hybrid High Voltage Battery Work SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for depowering, servicing and repairing high voltage systems and battery packs on electric and hybrid vehicles. It covers 26 activities, from authorisation and vehicle identification to reinitialising, road testing 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
Automotive workshops and dealerships servicing EVs and hybrids
Collision and smash repair shops
Fleet and bus maintenance workshops
Battery repair, recycling and remanufacturing businesses
Auto electricians and EV specialist technicians
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of workshops 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
Authorisation, vehicle identification and the manufacturer's procedure
High voltage work area barriers and keeping others out
Insulating glove, insulated tool and tester checks
Removing every energy source, including chargers, remote commands and proximity keys
Depowering, isolating and proving dead, and rules for live work
Handling the 12 volt battery and lifting the vehicle on the hoist
Hybrid engine auto-start and exposed orange high voltage cables
Removing, storing and despatching battery packs and modules
Arc flash inside packs, and coolant and refrigerant lines
Damaged, swollen or submerged batteries, thermal runaway and venting gas
Charging packs, reinitialising, road testing and never working alone
Emergency response to electric shock, arc flash or battery fire
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 26 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 maintenance checks for insulating gloves, insulated tools and testers
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS IEC 60903 for insulating gloves and AS 2550.9 for vehicle hoists
Competency for depowering and reinitialising, plus LV rescue for the second person
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 EV and hybrid battery work?
No. Workshop work on vehicle high voltage systems isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage the risks, including electrocution and battery fire, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Fleet clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover damaged or flood-affected batteries?
Yes. It covers thermal runaway, fire and toxic gas from damaged, swollen or previously submerged batteries, flammable gas building up in the workshop, and storing and disposing of damaged cells in labelled quarantine containers.
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.
