This Working Outdoors SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers the environmental hazards of working outside, from heat and sun to storms and wildlife. It covers 6 activities, from site arrival and inspection to accidents and incidents, 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
Landscapers, gardeners and grounds maintenance crews
Builders, civil crews and outdoor trades
Farm and agricultural businesses
Surveyors, inspectors and field technicians
Outdoor event and equipment hire crews
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of businesses with outdoor workers use one as the written risk assessment for the job, 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
Site arrival and inspection, including entry to unsafe areas
Falls into open trenches and holes
Being hit by on-site vehicles, plant and equipment
Heat stress, sunburn and dehydration
Rain, cold weather and slippery surfaces
Lightning strikes while at height, on scaffold or on open ground
Snakes, spiders and insects
Accidents and incidents, with injured workers or damaged plant
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
Equipment list, including shade, drinking water, sun protection and a first aid kit with pressure immobilisation bandages
Maintenance checks and the induction and training each worker needs
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 outdoors?
Only if the work is high risk construction work, for example where someone could fall more than 2 metres, work near a trench deeper than 1.5 metres, or work next to a road in use. Otherwise a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage risks like heat stress and lightning, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover lightning?
Yes. It covers lightning and electrical storms, including strikes while working at height, on a tower, on a scaffold or on open ground, and falls caused by a nearby strike.
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.
