This Guillotine and Press Brake Operation SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers shearing and bending sheet and plate on hydraulic guillotines and press brakes. It covers 32 activities, from the daily pre-start and machine capacity check to end of shift 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
Sheet metal fabricators and engineering workshops
Steel fabrication and manufacturing businesses
Roofing and flashing manufacturers
Metal folding and cutting services
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of workshops and manufacturers 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
Job planning, machine capacity and bringing a new or second-hand machine into service
Machine area set-up, forklifts, cranes and pedestrians
Manual and mechanical handling of sheet and plate, and cut edges and burrs
Pre-operational checks and function testing guards and light curtains
Lockout tagout before setup, tool change or maintenance
Guillotine blade change, blade gap and back gauge setup
Shearing, including hold-down crush, blade contact and narrow strips
Foot pedal control and two operators on one machine
Press brake tooling changes, bending and rising workpieces
Closed tool and slow speed modes with a muted safeguard
Noise, hydraulic injection injury, ram fall and electrical hazards
Defeated safeguards, shutdown and emergency response to entrapment in the tool or blade
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 32 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 ram support props, timber blocking and lockout gear
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 4024.3001 for presses and AS/NZS 4024.1601 for guards
Written operator authorisation, and training in safeguard modes and releasing a person trapped in the tool
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 guillotine and press brake operation?
No. Operating a guillotine or press brake 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 amputation at the blade and crushing between the punch and die, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover muted light curtain modes?
Yes. It covers closed tool, pulse and slow speed modes with the light curtain or laser guard muted, and restricts muted modes, tool setting and blade changes to workers separately authorised by the Supervisor.
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.
