CNC Machining Centre SWMS

Suits machine shops, fabricators and manufacturers who run vertical or horizontal CNC machining centres. It follows the work in order, from reading the setup sheet and checking guards, interlocks and emergency stops to work holding, tool changes, proving the program, running the cycle, swarf, coolant, noise, maintenance and shut-down. Lathes, milling machines, CNC routers and press brakes need their own SWMS.

A CNC machining centre in a workshop is not high risk construction work, so WHS Regulation s 299 requires a SWMS only if the work is part of high risk construction work. Otherwise the document works as a written safe work procedure and task risk assessment, and no high risk construction work item is pre-ticked. If the work is part of construction work, tick the items that apply, such as work on or near energised electrical installations or services (s 291(k)) or in an area with powered mobile plant movement (s 291(o)).

New to SWMS? Read What Is A Safe Work Method Statement?

What Is Covered In Our CNC Machining Centre SWMS?

After the standard pre-start checks, the job steps run from “Plan the job and read the setup sheet, program and machine limits” to “Shut down, clean down and secure the machine”. The hazards and controls include:

• Missing or by-passed guards and door interlocks
• Entanglement and crush at the spindle and moving axes
• Tools and work pieces thrown from the machine
• Tool changer and pallet changer movement
• Cuts from cutters, burrs and sharp swarf
• Swarf jams and chip conveyor hazards
• Oil mist, fumes and fire from neat cutting oil
• Skin irritation from coolant and oils
• Hearing loss from machining noise
• Strains from heavy work pieces and fixtures
• Unexpected start-up during maintenance
• Stored energy in axes, air and hydraulic systems

High Risk Construction Work

None of the high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are pre-ticked, because this job is not high risk construction work by itself. Tick any that apply on your site.

Licences, Training and Competency

• Operator trained and assessed as competent on the particular machining centre, covering its control, guarding and interlocks, work holding, tool changer, probing, emergency stop and set-up mode (no high risk work licence class applies to a CNC machine)
• Setter or programmer trained in proving programs, setting offsets and using set-up mode; only these people hold the set-up key or change safety settings
• Instruction in the maker’s isolation and lock-out procedure for the machine
• Competent person to inspect, maintain and test the machine, its guards, interlocks and emergency stops (WHS Regulation s 213)
• Training in the hazardous chemicals used (coolant, cutting oil, rust preventives, degreasers: SDS read) and in the PPE chosen
• A licensed electrical worker for any work inside the electrical cabinet or on the power supply (Electrical Safety Act 2002 s 55); operators do not open electrical cabinets
• First aider on site, briefed on deep cuts, amputations, crush injuries, eye injuries and burns (WHS Regulation s 42)
• Workshop induction; general construction induction training card (white card) only if the work is construction work

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 205 to 213: plant (unauthorised alterations s 205, proper use s 206, plant not in use s 207, guarding s 208, operational controls s 210, emergency stops s 211, maintenance and inspection s 213)
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 222: industrial robots and other remotely or automatically energised plant (where a robot, pallet changer or bar feeder is fitted)
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 226: records for plant with a presence-sensing safeguarding system (where one is used)
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) ss 56 to 58: noise exposure standard, managing hearing loss and audiometric testing
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 60: managing risks of hazardous manual tasks
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 219: plant that lifts or suspends loads (hoist or jib crane for heavy work pieces)
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) ss 344, 346 and 351: safety data sheets, the hazardous chemicals register and managing hazardous chemical risks
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) ss 52 and 53: ignition sources and flammable or combustible material
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 42: first aid; ss 36 and 44: hierarchy of control measures and personal protective equipment
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 (guarding s 4.1, isolating energy sources s 4.5)
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace 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
• AS 4024 (series) Safety of machinery (as named in the Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021)
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld): s 55 (electrical work licence)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): ss 199 to 204 (safe work method statement for work on or near energised electrical equipment)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (15 A4 landscape pages). Type your business, client and job details once and they fill in on every page, with a space for your logo
• 11 job steps for this work, each with its hazards, controls, initial and residual risk scores and the person responsible
• PPE listed for this job: safety glasses with side shields, worn at the machine at all times; safety boots with toe protection; hearing protection suited to the noise level, used after other controls
• Emergency arrangements for: person caught in or struck by the machine, deep cut or amputation and fire in the machine (oil, swarf or coolant mist)
• Plus the parts every Work Safety QLD SWMS shares, from the s 291 checklist to the worker sign-on sheet (see the layout in our free SWMS template)

Adjust it for your site, plant and crew, and talk it through with your workers before work starts. Please make sure you read our Disclaimer before downloading this SWMS.

Checked against the Queensland laws and codes of practice listed above. Last reviewed November 2026.