This Racking Inspection and Stock Retrieval SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for inspecting pallet, cantilever and drive-in racking and retrieving stock from it in a warehouse. It covers 22 activities, from work planning and racking records to reporting, securing the area 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
Warehouse and distribution centre operators
Racking inspectors and racking maintenance contractors
Logistics and third-party storage businesses
Wholesale and retail businesses with racked storage
Cold store and temperature-controlled warehouse operators
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Many warehouses 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
Work planning, racking records, pre-start briefing and fitness for work
Warehouse traffic, and separating the inspection from operating forklifts and reach trucks
Machine pre-starts, PPE and mounting and dismounting safely
Inspecting uprights, braces, baseplates, beams, connectors and safety pins
Cantilever and drive-in racking inspection, including lane collapse
Damage classification and immediate action on damaged bays
Working at height on order pickers and platforms to inspect upper levels
Retrieving stock by hand, load stability, capacity and configuration
Repairs and reconfiguration carried out without the manufacturer's approval
Aisle condition, dock faces, cold stores and working alone after hours
Reporting, damage tags, securing the area and emergency response to collapse or falls
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 22 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 4084.2 for racking operation and maintenance and AS 2359.2 for powered industrial trucks
Licence notes for LF, LO and WP licences, and training in the site's damage classification system
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 racking inspection?
Not usually. Inspecting racking and retrieving stock in an operating warehouse isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. If the job extends to repairing or reconfiguring racking where someone could fall more than 2 metres, it may become high risk construction work. Either way you still have to manage the risks, and clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for a SWMS.
Does it cover racking damage classification?
Yes. It covers classifying racking damage and the immediate action needed, so damaged racking is not left loaded and in service. Workers are trained in the classification system used on site and the action required at each level.
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.
