The Roofing (Metal) Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) outlines the main hazards and risks including the operation of plant, hazardous manual tasks, and risk of falls from heights in workplaces where installation of metal roofs on building or structures is being undertaken.
The SWMS provides details of the health and safety precautions (including personal protective equipment requirements) to be observed when carrying out installation of metal roofing materials.
A safe work method statement (SWMS) must be prepared for any and all high risk construction work to be undertaken prior to the work commencing. All high risk construction work must be carried out in accordance with this SWMS.
This SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection until the high risk construction work to which this SWMS relates is completed. If the SWMS is revised, all versions should be kept.
If a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the high risk construction work in this SWMS, the SWMS must be kept for at least 2 years from the date of the notifiable incident.
NOTE: This is a generic SWMS. A generic SWMS may be prepared and used for high risk construction work activities that are carried out on a regular basis; however, the generic SWMS must be reviewed by the person carrying out the work to take into account the hazards and risks for the specific workplace and amend the SWMS as necessary for the site where the work is to be carried out, and complete details such as names of workers who will carry out the work. All amendments to the SWMS must conform to regulatory requirements and be recorded on the SWMS. Workers and their health and safety representatives (if any) should be consulted before the generic SWMS is first made available to them and all workers instructed in the SWMS by site-specific inductions or toolbox talks. Details of consultation with workers and instruction in the SWMS must be recorded on the SWMS for that project or site. All workers are required to sign-off on the SWMS before the work is commenced.
