This Plant Pre-Hire Inspection and Test SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for inspecting, testing and preparing excavators, EWPs, telehandlers, generators and other hire plant before it goes out. It covers 28 activities, from reviewing the plant history and defects to dispatch, quarantine 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
Plant and equipment hire companies
Hire yard mechanics and workshop technicians
Fleet and plant maintenance workshops
Civil and earthmoving contractors that service their own plant
EWP and access equipment hire businesses
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of hire yards and 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
Job planning, plant history review, pre-start briefing and fitness for work
Yard traffic, exclusion zones and receiving plant back from hire
Pressure washing, isolation and release of hydraulic, electrical, spring and gravity energy
Working under raised attachments and raising plant on hoists, jacks and stands
Hydraulic pressure testing and injection injury from pinhole leaks
Fuel, LPG, battery charging, jump starting and tyre inflation hazards
Falls from machine decks, tracks and cab roofs, including falls under 2 metres
Guards, ROPS and FOPS checks, electrical inspection and test and tag
Function testing, test running, load testing lifting attachments and EWP inspection
Manual handling, workshop chemicals, hot work repairs, noise and vibration
Loading plant for dispatch, defect tagging and quarantine of faulty plant
Housekeeping, end of shift security and emergency response to crush, injection, shock or fire
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 28 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 2550.10 for EWPs and AS/NZS 3760 for test and tag
Licence notes for EWPs and telehandlers, plus training in hydraulic injection injury response
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 plant pre-hire inspection and testing?
Not usually. Inspecting and testing plant in a hire yard or workshop isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement there. You still have to manage the risks, such as stored energy and working under raised plant, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Hire customers, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover telehandler licence requirements?
It notes that a telehandler is not a forklift, so an LF licence does not cover it, and that the class required depends on the jurisdiction, rated capacity and attachment. It also notes a WP licence is needed for a boom-type EWP with a boom of 11 metres or more.
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.
