Steel Decking Installation SWMS

Suits steel erectors and decking contractors who lay and fix steel decking and formwork sheets on structural frames. It follows the work in order, from frame sign-off, fall protection and lifting bundles to laying in wind, cutting, fixing, openings and handover. Structural steel erection is covered by a separate SWMS.

Work with a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres, and work in an area where powered mobile plant moves, are high risk construction work (WHS Regulation s 291(a) and (o)), so those items are ticked. Tick the others the job involves, such as energised electrical services near the frame, a road in use below, or hot work in a flammable area.

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 Steel Decking Installation 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 open edges and frame beams
• Falls through openings in the deck
• Frame instability under deck bundles
• Dropped bundles during crane lifts
• Sheets lifted by wind
• Falling objects striking people below
• Cuts from sharp sheet edges
• Sparks and fume from cutting and stud welding
• Contact with overhead power lines
• Manual handling of long sheets
• Powder-actuated tool misfire
• Loads placed on unfixed deck

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
• Is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant

Licences, Training and Competency

• General construction induction training card (white card) for construction work
• Crane operator holding the high risk work licence for the class of crane used (WHS Regulation Schedule 3) when a crane lifts the bundles
• Dogging licence (Schedule 3 item 4) for anyone who slings a bundle or directs the crane operator when the load is out of the operator’s view
• Basic rigging licence (or a higher class) (Schedule 3 item 5(2)) is needed only where the work is rigging work as defined in Schedule 19, that is using mechanical load-shifting equipment and gear to move, place or secure a load, or setting up or dismantling cranes or hoists; item 5(2) lists structural steel erection and safety nets and static lines, and laying and fixing deck sheets is not listed
• Forklift truck licence (Schedule 3) for anyone driving a forklift to unload bundles
• Operator licence for the class of boom-type elevating work platform of 11 m or more (Schedule 3) where one is used; otherwise operators trained and assessed on the EWP model
• Powder-actuated fastening tool operators trained by the supplier or a competent trainer
• Competent person (an engineer or experienced steel erector) to confirm frame stability, deck bearing, sequence and edge protection before decking starts
• Site induction and the principal contractor’s permit to work at height where one is used

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Steel Construction Advisory Standard 2004
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2021
• Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2024
• Tower Crane Code of Practice 2017
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Welding Processes Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2021
• Safe Design of Structures Code of Practice 2021
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones (schedule 2)

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.