Hung Scaffold SWMS

For scaffolding contractors who erect, alter and dismantle scaffolds that hang from a structure on tubes, chains or hangers, such as under bridges, balconies, roofs and plant. It follows the job in order, from the engineer’s design and structure checks through setting up the exclusion zone, inspecting chains and couplers, fitting suspension points, building from the top down, decking and edge protection, handover and inspections, to alteration and dismantling. Standard fixed scaffolds, cantilevered scaffolds and swing stages are covered by separate SWMS.

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 Hung 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:

• Structure unable to carry the hung scaffold
• Scaffold built outside its engineered design or load limits
• Falls while fitting suspension points and building from the top down
• Damaged or unrated chains, hangers and couplers
• Hanging tubes swinging or coming loose
• Falls from platform edges and through gaps
• Scaffold used before a written handover
• Unauthorised alterations to the scaffold
• Components and tools falling on people below
• Overloading beyond duty rating and working levels
• Overhead power lines, wind and lightning
• Collapse when dismantling out of sequence

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

• Advanced scaffolding high risk work licence (WHS Regulation Schedule 3 item 3(2)(b): hung scaffolds, including scaffolds hung from tubes, wire ropes or chains) for anyone erecting, altering or dismantling a hung scaffold from which a person or object could fall more than 4 m
• Advanced rigging licence (Schedule 3 item 7(e): rigging work involving suspended scaffolds and fabricated hung scaffolds) where erecting or dismantling a fabricated hung scaffold is rigging work as Schedule 19 defines it (using mechanical load-shifting equipment to move, place or secure a load, or setting up or dismantling hoists or cranes); confirm with WorkSafe Queensland which class a particular job needs
• Trainees work only under the supervision of a licence holder while training, and the licence and training evidence is sighted (ss 82(1) and 85)
• Work with a fall of 4 metres or less: trained, competent and supervised workers
• Engineer experienced in the structural design of scaffolds to design the scaffold and verify that the supporting structure can carry its loads, as Table 1 of the approved Scaffolding Code of Practice 2021 sets out for hung or drop scaffolds (a code approach, not a stand-alone legal duty)
• Competent person to inspect the scaffold and its supporting structure, and to confirm in writing that construction is complete before use (s 225(2) and (3))
• General construction induction training card (white card) and site induction
• Training in fall arrest harness use and rescue for everyone who works at height or may carry out a rescue
• High risk work licence for the class of any crane, forklift truck, hoist or vehicle loading crane used to move components, and dogging or rigging licences for anyone who slings loads or directs the operator; those lifts have their own SWMS

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
• 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
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones, Schedule 2 (uninsulated lines)
• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines (distances come from the 2026 Regulation)
• AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding (series), including AS/NZS 1576.1 General requirements, and AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding (cited in the Scaffolding Code)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (16 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.