Safety Net Installation and Removal SWMS

Suits riggers, scaffolders and builders who install safety nets under work at height. It follows the work from planning the net and checking the structure to protecting people below, fall protection for the riggers, anchors, rigging, tensioning, inspection, in-service checks and removal. Scaffolds and catch platforms are covered by separate SWMS.

Work with a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres is high risk construction work (WHS Regulation s 291(a)), so that item is ticked. Tick the others the job involves, such as work near energised electrical installations or services, or disturbance of asbestos where anchors are fixed to old structures.

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 Safety Net Installation and Removal 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 the edge while rigging the net
• Falls from EWPs, scaffolds and ladders
• Anchors pulling out under load
• Net sagging and a fall hitting the surface below
• Gaps between the net and the structure
• Suspension trauma and rescue from a net
• Falling tools and net hardware
• Dust from drilling concrete and masonry
• Manual handling of heavy, bulky nets
• Hot work damaging the net
• Debris building up in the net
• Net used before it is inspected

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) for construction work, and site induction
• Rigging and scaffolding licensing: Schedule 3 lists safety nets under basic scaffolding (item 1(e)) and basic rigging (item 5(2)(d)). The Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2021 says safety nets used with basic rigging or scaffolding work are to be erected and serviced by holders of a basic rigging or basic scaffolding licence, or trainees supervised by a holder; a licence is needed where the work is rigging work or scaffolding work as defined in Schedule 19
• Engineer or competent person to design the net for its use and confirm the structure and each anchor point (WHS Regulation s 306J(1)(a))
• Competent person to inspect and approve the net before first use and after relocation or repair
• Elevating work platform operator training; a high risk work licence applies only to boom-type platforms of 11 m boom length or more (Schedule 3 item 21)
• Training for all riggers in the rescue plan, including rescue of a person from a net or harness (WHS Regulation s 80)
• First aid equipment and facilities, and trained first aiders as the work and site need (WHS Regulation s 42)

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): ss 306A to 306Q (falls in construction work, including s 306J safety nets) and ss 54 and 55 (falling objects)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): ss 56 and 57 (noise), s 445 (asbestos training) and ss 529A to 529CD (crystalline silica)
• 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 Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2021
• Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in construction and manufacturing of construction elements Code of Practice 2022
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace 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
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld): s 55 (electrical work to be done by licensed electrical workers)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): s 10 and sch 2 (overhead power line exclusion zones)

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.