This Skylight and Fragile Roof Work SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers inspecting, cleaning, removing and installing skylights and translucent sheeting on roofs with fragile surfaces. It covers 33 activities, from the fragile roof survey and fall protection planning to securing openings 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
Roofers and roof plumbers
Skylight and roof light installers
Building maintenance and facilities contractors
Gutter, roof and skylight cleaning businesses
Solar installers working on older roofs
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
What this SWMS covers
Fragile roof survey, marking and asbestos identification before work starts
Fall protection planning using the hierarchy of controls
Exclusion zones below the roof and inside the building
Overhead powerlines, solar arrays and roof-mounted services
Roof access by ladder, EWP, scaffold, roof ladders and crawl boards
Edge protection, safety mesh, nets, catch platforms and load-rated skylight covers
Fall arrest anchors, harnesses and clearance under low roofs
Removing old skylights and sheeting, and protecting the open penetration
Handling and fitting glass and polycarbonate units, cutting the opening and sealing
Roof space entry, biological hazards, heat and wind on the roof
Securing openings overnight and keeping protection in place until work finishes
Emergency response to a fall through the roof or harness suspension
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 33 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 and inspection intervals for harnesses, anchors, mesh and covers
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4389 for roof safety mesh and AS/NZS 1891.4 for height safety equipment
Training in recognising fragile roofing, asbestos awareness and suspended-worker rescue
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 skylight and fragile roof work?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example where someone could fall more than 2 metres through a skylight or fragile sheeting, where asbestos cement roofing may be disturbed, or near energised overhead powerlines. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients, head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover asbestos cement roofing?
It covers identifying asbestos before any existing roofing is disturbed, including cutting, drilling or walking on asbestos cement sheeting. Removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos needs a licensed Class A or Class B removalist, and any friable asbestos removal needs a Class A removalist.
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.
