Fixed Scaffold SWMS

For painters, carpenters, bricklayers, renderers, electricians and other trades who work from a scaffold that a scaffolder has already erected. It covers checking the handover tag and inspection before use, duty and load limits, access, edge protection, falling objects, power lines and weather. Erecting, altering and dismantling the scaffold is covered by the separate Scaffolding SWMS.

A SWMS is required under WHS Regulation s 299 when a person could fall more than 2 metres (s 291), so that is the item ticked; below that height this document works as a written safe work procedure, and you can tick energised electrical installations if overhead lines are near the scaffold and powered mobile plant if plant moves around it.

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 Fixed Scaffold SWMS?

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

• Falls from platforms, stairs and ladders
• Using a scaffold that has not been handed over or inspected
• Overloaded platforms and too many working levels
• Missing guardrails, toe boards and gaps in planks
• Falling tools and materials striking people below
• Unauthorised alterations to ties, braces and guardrails
• Contact with overhead power lines
• Electric shock from leads on the metal frame
• Wind, rain and lightning on exposed platforms
• Heat illness and sun exposure
• Strains from carrying materials up stairs and ladders
• Damaged or struck scaffold and unauthorised access

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

• General construction induction training card (white card)
• Site induction, including the site’s scaffold rules
• Handover briefing on this scaffold: duty rating, working levels, access points and the rule against altering it
• No high risk work licence is needed to work from a scaffold; the scaffolding licence is for erecting, altering or dismantling a scaffold from which a person or object could fall more than 4 m
• Scaffolders who erect, alter or dismantle the scaffold hold the licence for its class (basic, intermediate or advanced), or train under the direct supervision of a licence holder
• Competent person to inspect the scaffold and its supporting structure and give written confirmation it is complete (a scaffold from which a person or thing could fall more than 4 m, and any suspended, cantilevered, spur or hung scaffold)
• Licence for the class of any crane, forklift truck, hoist or vehicle loading crane lifting materials, and the dogging or a higher rigging class for anyone who slings loads or directs the operator
• Emergency and rescue procedure training for anyone who may help a person on the scaffold

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• 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
• Hazardous Manual Tasks 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
• Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination Code of Practice 2021
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones
• 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 (cited in the Scaffolding Code)
• AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding (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.