Laser Level and Construction Laser SWMS

For builders, carpenters, fit-out crews and set-out hands who use laser levels and laser measuring devices on site. It follows the work from choosing a laser of a permitted class through set-up, ladders and measuring to pack-up, with the Queensland rule on laser classes and training in construction work.

Using a laser level is construction work when it forms part of building, fitting out or altering a structure, but it is not high risk construction work by itself, so no item is pre-ticked. Tick falls of more than 2 metres (WHS Regulation s 291) if the laser is positioned from height, and powered mobile plant if plant moves in the area. Where the work is not construction work the document works as a written safe work procedure.

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

What Is Covered In Our Laser Level and Construction Laser SWMS?

After the standard pre-start checks, the job steps run from “Choose the laser and check its class” to “Switch off, pack away and store the laser”. The hazards and controls include:

• Using a Class 3B or Class 4 laser on site
• Beam entering the eye during set-out
• Reflections from glass, polished metal and water
• Beam at eye height across walkways
• Tripods and brackets falling or tripping people
• Falls from ladders while positioning the laser
• Plant operators dazzled by the beam
• Untrained workers operating lasers
• Other trades unaware of the laser area
• Suspected beam hits and damaged lasers
• Manual handling of tripods and cases

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

• Workers who operate the laser are trained in its proper operation (WHS Regulation s 223(5)) and have read the maker’s instructions
• General construction induction training card (white card) for work on a construction site
• Site induction
• Competency to work safely from the ladder, stand or platform used to position the laser

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks 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
• Radiation Safety Act 1999 (Qld)
• Radiation Safety Regulation 2021 (Qld): s 97 (particular lasers)
• AS 2397:2015 Safe use of lasers in the building and construction industry (named in WHS Regulation s 223(6))
• AS/NZS IEC 60825.1-2014 Safety of laser products, Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements (the laser standard named in the Radiation Safety Regulation 2021)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (12 A4 landscape pages). Type your business, client and job details once and they fill in on every page, with a space for your logo
• 8 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 boots; high-visibility clothing; hard hat on a construction site; safety glasses suited to the work (these do not replace keeping the beam away from eyes)
• Emergency arrangements for: suspected beam hit to the eye and serious eye injury
• 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.