This Hay Cutting, Baling and Stacking SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for the whole hay job, from mowing and raking to baling, wrapping, carting and building the stack. It covers 34 work activities, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each, including how to check hay moisture and monitor stacks for heating. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Farmers and graziers making their own hay or silage
Hay and fodder contractors
Dairy and beef operations baling and wrapping silage
Farm workers carting, stacking and feeding out bales
Use it to
Hand farm clients, agribusinesses and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct seasonal workers and run toolbox talks on the task
Show auditors, insurers and inspectors how you manage the risks
What this SWMS covers
Daily pre-start meeting, operator competency and young workers
Paddock inspection, new or hired implements and pre-start checks
Hitching implements and PTO shafts
Mowing and conditioning, including thrown objects and the cutter discs
Raking and tedding, slopes, banks and powerlines
Baling, clearing blockages, knotters and net wrap, and round bale ejection
Bale wrapping, and handling bales with loaders and telehandlers
Loading, restraining and carting bales by road
Building, working on and pulling down haystacks
Hay moisture, stack heating and spontaneous combustion
Machinery and paddock fire, dust and mould, noise, heat, snakes and working alone
Emergency response for entanglement, crush, stack collapse and fire
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 34 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials, maintenance checks and the training each worker needs
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 1636 for tractor roll-over protection and AS 2444 for extinguisher selection
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your property or 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 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 property and how your team works
Aligned to Australian WHS legislation, 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 hay making?
A SWMS is legally required only for high risk construction work, and most farm work isn't construction work. A SWMS is still a sound way to record how you manage the risks of a task, it does the same job as a JSA or safe work procedure, and farm clients, agribusinesses and contractor portals often ask contractors for one.
Does it cover haystack fires?
Yes. It covers checking moisture before baling, probing new stacks for heat, what to do at each temperature range, and when to call 000 and keep everyone off the stack.
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.
