Exhaust System Fitting and Muffler Replacement SWMS

Suits exhaust and muffler shops, mechanical workshops and mobile mechanics who remove, fabricate and fit exhaust systems and catalytic converters. It covers vehicle preparation, raising the vehicle, removing the old system, cutting and welding, suspected asbestos gaskets, fitting, running the engine and clean-up. Working under vehicles on jacks or hoists uses a separate SWMS.

Exhaust fitting in a workshop is not high risk construction work, so no item is pre-ticked and a SWMS is required by law only for high risk construction work (WHS Regulation s 299); this document works as a written safe work procedure or task risk assessment that you tailor to your workshop. If the work is part of construction work, tick the reg 291 items that apply.

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 Exhaust System Fitting and Muffler Replacement SWMS?

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

• Burns from hot exhaust parts
• Heavy catalytic converters and mufflers falling
• Vehicle falling or rolling
• Sparks igniting fuel lines and tank
• Welding fume and arc eye
• Suspected asbestos in old gaskets
• Carbon monoxide in the workshop
• Grinder and cut-off saw injuries
• Strains from heavy and awkward sections
• Noise from impact tools
• Cuts from rusted pipe
• Rust and debris in the eyes

High Risk Construction Work

No high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are pre-ticked, because this work is not high risk construction work by itself. Tick the items that apply to your job, such as a fall risk of more than 2 metres or work where powered mobile plant is moving.

Licences, Training and Competency

• Trade qualification or supervised training in automotive exhaust fitting
• Verification of competency for exhaust bending, cutting and welding equipment used
• Competency for any welding done, with training in welding fume and arc eye hazards
• Training on carbon monoxide, the exhaust extraction system and what to do if symptoms occur
• Training in the safe handling of the hazardous chemicals used (SDS read)
• Licensed driver for any vehicle moved or test driven
• Workshop induction and first aid arrangements for the workshop (WHS Regulation s 42)

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) ss 52, 53 and 355: ignition sources, flammable stock and fire and explosion
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) ss 208 and 213: guarding and maintenance and inspection of plant
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 49: exposure standards for substances not to be exceeded
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) ss 56 and 57: noise exposure standard and managing the risk of hearing loss
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) chapter 8: asbestos
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Welding Processes Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice 2021
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice 2021
• How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2021
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (13 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.