This Mortar Mixing and Handling SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for setting up a mixing station, batching cement, lime and sand, and moving mortar to the bricklayers. It covers 24 activities, from the crystalline silica risk assessment to cleaning the mixer, slurry disposal 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
Bricklayers and blocklayers on residential and commercial jobs
Labourers and trade assistants on masonry jobs
Stonemasons and renderers who mix their own mortar
Builders and landscapers building masonry and retaining walls
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
What this SWMS covers
Crystalline silica risk assessment before mortar work starts
Setting up the mixing station away from traffic, powerlines and drains
Unloading and storing cement, lime, sand and admixtures
Mixer inspection, guarding, electrical safety and refuelling fuel-powered mixers
Silica and cement dust when charging the mixer, and eye injury from lime
Manual handling of bags, the mixer and loaded barrows
Entanglement at the drum and safe jam clearing
Mix consistency, so weak or retempered mortar doesn't lead to wall failure
Cement burns and dermatitis from wet mortar, and admixture and acid handling
Raising mortar onto scaffold, heat, wind and working near other trades
Cleaning the mixer and keeping wash water and slurry out of stormwater
Emergency response to cement burns, entanglement, eye injury, electric shock or fire
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 24 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, maintenance checks and the training each worker needs
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 3012 for construction site electrical installations and AS/NZS 1715 for respiratory protection
Crystalline silica training and respirator fit testing before mortar work starts
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 mortar mixing?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example mixing on a site where powered mobile plant is moving, raising mortar onto scaffold where someone could fall more than 2 metres, or working next to a road in use. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Builders, head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover silica dust from mixing mortar?
Yes. It covers the crystalline silica risk assessment before work starts, dust controls when tipping dry cement and sand into the drum, respirator fit testing, and crystalline silica training for workers.
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.
