This Working in Private Residences SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers working in clients' homes, from planning the visit and travelling there to securing the work area around occupants. It covers 9 activities, from before the visit to after it and incident 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
Tradespeople doing repairs and installations in homes
Handyman and home maintenance businesses
Appliance, pest and pool service technicians
Cleaners and home service providers
Inspectors, assessors and quoting reps who visit homes
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of businesses that send workers into clients' homes use one as the written risk assessment, 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
Planning the visit so others know where you are
Travel to and from the home, getting lost and breakdowns
Arriving at the home, traffic, dogs and unsafe situations
After hours visits, being out of contact and threats to safety
Chemical exposure and environmental damage in the home
Reporting incidents and managing extended time on site
Asbestos in the home and preventing contamination of occupants
Protecting occupants, children and pets and securing the work area
Accidents and incidents, with injured workers or damaged equipment
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 9 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
Equipment list, plus getting Safety Data Sheets before any chemical comes into the home
Qualifications, including the relevant trade licence and asbestos awareness training for work on older homes
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 private homes?
Only if the work is high risk construction work, for example work likely to disturb asbestos, or work near energised electrical installations. Otherwise a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage risks like working alone and chemical exposure, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover working alone?
Yes. It covers letting others know your location before a visit, travel and breakdowns, after hours visits and being out of contact, and reporting incidents after the visit.
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.
