Cantilever and Spur Scaffold SWMS

For licensed scaffolders and builders who erect scaffolds supported from the structure by cantilever beams, needles or spurs. It follows the job from the engineer’s design and the supporting structure through fixing the beams, erecting and tying the scaffold, handover and dismantling.

Falls of more than 2 metres mean item 0 is ticked. Tick other items that apply, such as overhead lines (item 10) or a road in use (item 13). Standard fixed scaffolds and hung scaffolds have their own SWMS; crane lifts and dogging are separate work.

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 Cantilever and Spur 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:

• Supporting structure unable to carry the scaffold
• Beams, props and spurs not fixed or counterweighted as designed
• Falls at the slab edge while fixing beams or spurs
• Falls while erecting the first lift
• Overloading beyond the duty rating
• Missing or removed ties and bracing
• Wind load on screens and cloth
• Overhead power lines
• Dropped tube and tools
• Collapse during dismantling
• Manual handling of beams and props
• Scaffold inspection every 30 days

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

• High risk work licence for the intermediate scaffolding class (WHS Regulation Schedule 3 item 2(2)(b) and (c): cantilevered scaffolds and spur scaffolds) or the advanced class (item 3) for anyone erecting, altering or dismantling a scaffold from which a person or object could fall more than 4 m
• Trainees work under the supervision of a licence holder while training (s 82(1))
• Engineer experienced in the structural design of scaffolds to design the cantilever or spur system and its fixings and verify the supporting structure, as Table 1 of the approved Scaffolding Code of Practice 2021 sets out
• Competent person to certify the supporting structure, inspect the scaffold and confirm in writing that construction is complete (s 225)
• General construction induction training card (white card) and site induction
• Training in fall arrest harness use and the rescue plan for everyone who works at the edge
• Dogging licence (or a rigging licence that includes dogging) for anyone slinging a load, or directing a crane operator when the load is out of the operator’s view; 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)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): s 225 (scaffolds), ss 306I (fall arrest harness systems), ss 306P and 306Q (erecting and dismantling scaffolding), Schedule 3 items 2 and 3 and Schedule 19 (scaffolding work)
• 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
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones, ss 10 to 13 and Schedule 2
• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines (distances come from the 2026 Regulation)
• AS/NZS 1576.1 Scaffolding: General requirements (cited in the Scaffolding Code)

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.