Propping and Temporary Shoring SWMS

Suits builders, shoring contractors and trades who install and manage props and temporary shoring while structures are altered or excavations are open. It follows the work in order, from the engineer’s design and site checks to installation, preloading, monitoring and staged removal. Back-propping under slabs, trench box work and basement excavation are covered by separate SWMS.

Structural alterations or repairs that need temporary support to prevent collapse are high risk construction work (WHS Regulation s 291(e)), so that item is ticked. Tick others the job involves: a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 metres, a fall of more than 2 metres, powered mobile plant, asbestos disturbance, or demolition of a load-bearing element (a demolition licence is then required).

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 Propping and Temporary Shoring SWMS?

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

• Collapse of supported structure
• Prop buckling or kick-out under load
• Premature or uncontrolled prop removal
• Trench and pit face collapse
• Falling into an open excavation
• Dropped props during lifting
• Crush injuries when setting props
• Falls when installing props at height
• Overloading floors and ground under props
• Hidden services and asbestos
• Silica dust from drilling concrete
• Manual handling of steel props

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 structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse

Licences, Training and Competency

• General construction induction training card (white card) for construction work
• Engineer (RPEQ or equivalent competent engineer) who designs the propping or shoring, states the sequence and gives written approval to alter or remove it
• Competent person who inspects props and shoring before each shift and after rain, impact or movement
• Dogging licence (Schedule 3) for anyone who slings a load or directs a crane operator when the load is out of the operator’s view; crane operator licence for the class of crane used
• Operators trained and assessed on the excavator, telehandler or EWP used
• Workers trained in the assembly and use of the prop or shoring system by the maker or a competent trainer
• Site induction

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Safe Design of Structures Code of Practice 2021
• Formwork Code of Practice 2016
• Excavation Work 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
• Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2024
• Demolition Work Code of Practice 2021
• Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in construction and manufacturing of construction elements Code of Practice 2022
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones (schedule 2)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (13 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.