This Reception and Front of House Operations SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for running a reception desk, greeting visitors, and handling calls, mail, deliveries and cash. It covers 32 activities, from the daily start-up briefing to securing the premises 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
Office and professional services businesses
Real estate, legal and accounting practices
Shared office, co-working and building management teams
Hotels, venues and other front desk operations
Receptionists and office administration workers
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of businesses 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
Arriving and leaving alone, and daily entry and reception area checks
Exit paths, fire doors, automatic doors and glazing
Workstation set-up, screen work and headset acoustic shock
Abusive or threatening calls, emails and online contact
Visitor sign-in, contractors and public safety in the reception area
Aggressive people at the counter, duress alarms and sexual harassment
Assisting unwell or distressed visitors, and handling cash and valuables
Deliveries, manual handling, mail, sharps and suspicious packages
Photocopiers, shredders, laminators, guillotines, leads and power boards
Refreshments, filing, compactus units and reaching high storage
Working alone, new or young workers, fatigue and the reception environment
Closing the premises, evacuation, warden duties and emergency response to assault or medical emergencies
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, materials, maintenance checks and the training each worker needs
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 3745 for emergency planning and AS/NZS 3760 for test and tag
Training in aggression de-escalation, duress activation and lockdown 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 reception work?
No. Reception work isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage the risks, including psychosocial hazards like aggression and harassment, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover sexual harassment at the front desk?
Yes. It has a dedicated activity for sexual harassment and unwanted conduct from visitors, clients and contractors, and it includes training in harassment reporting.
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.
