This Working in Occupied Premises SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers maintenance, fit-out, cleaning and fire services work carried out in buildings while people are still using them. It sets out 37 activities, from consulting the occupier and checking the asbestos register to handover 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
Facilities and property maintenance contractors
Shopfitters and fit-out contractors working in trading tenancies
Commercial cleaners
Fire protection technicians
Electricians, plumbers and other trades working in offices, shops and schools
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of maintenance and service 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
Consulting the occupier and building manager, and reviewing the asbestos register
Fire system isolation approval, fire watch and reinstatement
Site access, keys, security and screening for care and education premises
Separating occupants from the work zone and keeping emergency exits clear
Locating and isolating concealed services before penetrating walls, floors and ceilings
Ceiling spaces, risers, plant rooms and cool rooms
Moving materials through occupied areas and setting up access equipment
Working alone and after hours, and fatigue
Floor cleaning, chemicals, waste, sharps and body fluids
Fire alarm testing, sprinkler work and hot work in an occupied building
Strip out, cutting and drilling, glazing, overhead work and containing dust and fume
Housekeeping, securing the area, handover, occupant aggression and emergency evacuation
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 37 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 tools, cleaning machines and access equipment
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 1851 for fire system servicing and AS 3745 for emergency planning
Licence and screening needs, including trade licences, working with children checks and de-escalation training
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 working in occupied premises?
Only if the work is high risk construction work, for example a fit-out likely to disturb asbestos, work near energised electrical installations, or work with a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks to workers and occupants, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Building managers and clients often ask for one.
Does it cover fire system isolations?
Yes. It covers getting approval before isolating fire detection, sprinkler or alarm systems, testing alarms without triggering an uncontrolled evacuation, fire watch while systems are isolated, and reinstating them before you leave.
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.