This Trolley Collection SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers collecting, moving and returning shopping trolleys in car parks, by hand or with a powered trolley mover. It sets out 24 activities, from the daily pre-start briefing and car park inspection to end of shift shutdown 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
Supermarkets and retail stores
Trolley collection contractors
Shopping centre managers and car park operators
Hardware, department and discount stores
Labour hire businesses supplying trolley collectors
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Lots of retailers and contractors use one as the written risk assessment for a task like trolley collection, 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
Worker authorisation and supervision, including new, young and labour hire workers
Car park and route checks for potholes, kerbs, drain grates and failed lighting
Trolley inspection and tagging out defective trolleys
Working in live car park traffic and crossing vehicle lanes and service roads
Separating nested trolleys and emptying rubbish, sharps and chemicals
Building and pushing trolley trains, including runaway trains on ramps and gradients
Powered trolley mover pre-start checks, operation and battery charging
Wet, windy, cold and hot weather, including UV exposure
Retrieving stray trolleys from roadsides, garden beds, drains and waterways
Returning trolleys to the store entrance and trolley bay
Customer aggression, working alone and at night, and fatigue
Housekeeping, end of shift shutdown and emergency response to vehicle strikes, needlesticks or heat illness
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 24 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 maintenance checks for trolleys and the powered mover
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 4602.1 for high visibility garments and AS/NZS 2890.1 for off-street car parking
Training in sharps response, customer de-escalation and lone worker check-ins
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 trolley collection?
No. Trolley collection isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage the risks, including workers being struck by vehicles in the car park and runaway trolley trains, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover powered trolley movers?
Yes. It covers the pre-start inspection, operating a pedestrian-operated or remote-controlled mover, keeping a remote unit in line of sight, charging the battery, and securing the mover at the end of the shift. Operators must be separately trained and authorised.
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.
