Scaffold Temporary Roof Installation SWMS

For scaffolding and building contractors who put a temporary weather roof over a scaffold. It follows the job from the engineer’s design and the extra scaffold loading through lifting the roof frame, sheeting and tie-down to certification, storm checks and removal.

Falls of more than 2 metres mean item 0 is ticked. Tick other items that apply, such as overhead lines (item 10) or a road in use (item 13). Scaffold erection, crane operation and dogging have their own SWMS; the roof frame design stays with the engineer.

Learn More: What Is A Safe Work Method Statement?
Have you ever been asked to provide a SWMS on a project in Queensland? Read our guide to what a Safe Work Method Statement is and when you need one.

What Is Covered In Our Scaffold Temporary Roof Installation SWMS?

The job steps run in the order the work is done, from pre-start checks to finishing up. The hazards and controls include:

• Scaffold unable to carry the roof and wind load
• Roof frame falling or swinging during lifts
• Crane lifts over people and the scaffold
• Falls while fixing beams and purlins
• Falls through gaps while sheeting
• Wind uplift and sheets blowing off
• Missing or removed ties and tie-downs
• Overhead power lines
• Cut hands from sheets and flashings
• Storm and cyclone preparation
• Dropped tools on people below
• Collapse during dismantling

High Risk Construction Work

These high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are already ticked because they are part of this work. Tick any others that apply to your job:

• Involves a risk of a person falling more than 2m

Licences, Training and Competency

• High risk work licence for the scaffolding class that matches the scaffold for anyone erecting, altering or dismantling it where a person or object could fall more than 4 m: basic for modular or prefabricated scaffold, intermediate for tube and coupler and scaffolding with perimeter safety screens, advanced for hung and suspended scaffold (Schedule 3 items 1 to 3)
• Trainees work under the supervision of a licence holder while training (s 82(1))
• Engineer experienced in structural design to design the roof frame, the tie-downs and the scaffold loading, as Table 1 of the approved Scaffolding Code of Practice 2021 sets out for long-span beams, trusses and crane-lifted frames
• Competent person to inspect the scaffold and roof and confirm in writing that construction is complete (s 225)
• Dogging licence (or a rigging licence that includes dogging) for anyone slinging a load, or directing a crane operator when the load is out of the operator’s view; those lifts have their own SWMS
• Training in fall arrest harness use and the rescue plan for everyone who works at height
• General construction induction training card (white card) and site induction

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): s 225 (scaffolds), ss 306D, 306I, 306P and 306Q (falls and scaffolding), s 80 (rescue), ss 54 and 55 (falling objects), Schedule 3 items 1 to 3 and Schedule 19
• Scaffolding Code of Practice 2021
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2024 (where a mobile crane lifts components)
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones, ss 10 to 13 and Schedule 2
• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines (distances come from the 2026 Regulation)
• AS/NZS 1576.1 Scaffolding: General requirements and AS/NZS 1170.2 Structural design actions: Wind actions (both cited in the Scaffolding Code)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (14 pages), laid out on A4 landscape pages
• Business, client, job and document details typed once and filled in on every page, plus a space for your logo
• The high risk construction work checklist, worded as WHS Regulation s 291, and the construction project question (s 292)
• A worker and health and safety representative consultation record
• Qualifications, plant, PPE, hazardous chemicals, safety equipment, permits, references and emergency arrangements filled in for this work
• A 5 x 5 risk matrix, and job steps with initial and residual risk scores and the people responsible
• Implementing, monitoring and review requirements, an additional controls log, revision history and a worker sign-on sheet

Review and adjust it for your site, your plant and the way your crew does the job, and talk it through with your workers before work starts. If you have any trouble downloading this SWMS, you can contact us at any time. Please make sure you read our Disclaimer before downloading this SWMS.