Scaffold Shade Cloth and Wrap Installation SWMS

For scaffolders, builders and finishing trades who fit shade cloth, wrap or containment sheeting to a completed scaffold. It follows the work in order, from checking the extra wind load with the scaffold designer to fixing, weather stops and handback, and uses Queensland falls and falling object rules. Erecting the scaffold itself is outside this document.

The fall of more than 2 metres item is ticked for you, because fitting cloth or wrap puts a worker at risk of falling from the scaffold (WHS Regulation s 291), so a SWMS is required before the work starts (s 299). Add the energised electrical installations item if the scaffold is near power lines, and any other item that applies to your job.

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 Scaffold Shade Cloth and Wrap 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:

• Scaffold overload and collapse from wind on cloth or wrap
• Falls over the guardrails while reaching outside
• Falls from corners, the top lift and access gaps
• Dropped tools, ties and offcuts striking people below
• Wind catching cloth and pulling workers off balance
• Contact with overhead power lines
• Manual handling of heavy rolls of cloth
• Knife cuts and fixing injuries
• Slips on wet or cluttered platforms
• Heat and sun exposure on platforms

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
• Scaffolding high risk work licence of the class for the scaffold (Schedule 3 items 1-3) for anyone who does scaffolding work on it, meaning erecting, altering or dismantling a scaffold from which a person or object could fall more than 4 m (WHS Regulation Schedule 19), for example adding, moving or removing ties, bracing, guardrails or other components
• Fitting cloth or wrap that does not touch the scaffold structure is not named in Schedule 3. Where the cloth is perimeter containment screening, Schedule 3 names scaffolding associated with perimeter safety screens (intermediate scaffolding, item 2(2)(e)) and rigging work associated with them (basic rigging, item 5(2)(f)), so the scaffold designer or supplier states in writing who may fix it and whether a licensed scaffolder or rigger must do the fixing
• Competent person to give written confirmation that the scaffold is complete and to inspect it before use and at least every 30 days (scaffolds from which a person or thing could fall more than 4 m)
• Engineer or the scaffold designer or supplier to confirm the scaffold, its ties and its foundations can carry the extra wind load of the cloth or wrap
• Workers trained in the fixing method, the wind limit and the emergency procedure for this job
• Licence for the class of any crane, hoist or forklift truck used to lift the rolls, and dogging licence for anyone who slings or directs a lift

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
• 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
• WHS Regulation: s 225 (scaffold inspection), s 291 (high risk construction work), s 306E (edge protection), ss 315B-315M (falling objects), s 315I (perimeter containment screening), Schedule 3 items 1-3, 2(2)(e) and 5(2)(f) and Schedule 19 (scaffolding work)
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead electric line exclusion zones (ss 10-13 and schedule 2)
• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines (distances come from the 2026 Regulation)

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.