This Rubbish Removal SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers emptying bins and moving waste to the disposal area as part of cleaning work. It covers 6 activities, from transferring office bins to the cleaner's trolley to handling sharps and contaminated waste, 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
Commercial and office cleaning businesses
Building, facilities and property maintenance crews
Strata and shopping centre cleaning contractors
Event and venue cleaning crews
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of cleaning 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
Hazard information for workers on new or introduced hazards
Reaching into bins and repetitive strain when emptying office bins
Sharp objects hidden in plastic liners
Overloaded bins and back strain when moving the trolley
Crush and impact injuries on the way to the waste disposal area
Needlestick and sharps injuries, with a rigid sharps container
Exposure to blood and body substances and cuts from broken glass
Trip hazards, falling skip lids and property damage at task completion
Response to injuries, incidents and damaged equipment
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 6 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, equipment and materials, including trolleys, bin liners and a rigid sharps container
Maintenance checks and the induction and task training workers need
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 rubbish removal?
A SWMS is only legally required if the work is high risk construction work, for example clearing waste on a construction site where powered mobile plant is moving. Emptying bins in offices and buildings isn't construction work, so a SWMS isn't mandatory. You still have to manage risks like sharps and manual handling, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover needlesticks and sharps?
Yes. It covers needlestick and sharps injuries while handling bags, bins or waste, exposure to blood or other body substances, and cuts from broken glass.
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.
