This Ride-On Mower SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers operating a ride-on mower for lawn, park and grounds maintenance. It covers 10 activities, from pre-operation checks to rollover on slopes, blade blockages 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
Lawn mowing and grounds maintenance businesses
Councils, golf courses and sporting clubs
Farms, rural properties and acreage maintenance contractors
Schools, caravan parks and property managers with grounds workers
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of grounds and mowing 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
Pre-start information and checks for faulty equipment
Hitting vehicles or people while mowing
Entanglement in moving parts from hair and loose clothing
Thrown objects and impact injuries to bystanders
Sunburn, dehydration and noise
Refuelling, including fumes, skin contact and ignition risk
Wet ground and storms affecting safe operation
Securing the mower after use to stop roll away and unauthorised use
Rollover on slopes, wet grass and near dams, drains and embankments
Blade contact while clearing blockages or inspecting the deck
Emergency response, including mowing alone and machine fires in dry grass
Response to injuries, incidents and damaged equipment
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 10 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
Operator requirements, including training on the specific machine, competency assessment and authorisation
Plant, materials and maintenance checks, with daily pre-start inspections
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 operating a ride-on mower?
A SWMS is only legally required when the mowing is part of high risk construction work, for example on a construction site where other powered mobile plant is moving or next to a road in use. Routine mowing and grounds maintenance usually isn't construction work, so a SWMS isn't mandatory. You still have to manage risks like rollover and thrown objects, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Councils and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Do ride-on mower operators need a licence?
No. There's no licence for a ride-on mower. The SWMS sets out that operators are trained on the specific machine, have read the operator's manual, are assessed as competent and are authorised by the employer.
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.