Catch Platform and Gantry Installation SWMS

For scaffolders and builders who install catch platforms and gantries to protect people below. It follows the job from the engineer’s design and the protection line through heavy lifts, fixing the supports, fitting the overhead platform and sheeting, to certification and dismantling.

Falls of more than 2 metres mean item 0 is ticked. Tick other items that apply, such as overhead lines (item 10), a road in use (item 13) or moving powered mobile plant (item 14). Scaffold erection in general, crane operation and dogging have their own SWMS; the gantry design stays with the engineer.

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 Catch Platform and Gantry 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:

• Wrong protection for the height and angle of the work
• Gantry or platform built to the wrong load
• Heavy components dropped during installation
• Crane lifts over people and the public
• Falls at the edge while fixing supports
• Sheeting and screens sailing in wind
• Footing settling or tilting
• Vehicle strike on the gantry
• Overloading with stored material
• Overhead power lines
• Manual handling of beams and sheets
• Collapse during dismantling

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 scaffolding class that matches the structure for anyone erecting, altering or dismantling it where a person or object could fall more than 4 m: basic for modular or prefabricated scaffold, intermediate for tube and coupler covered ways and gantries (Schedule 3 item 2(2)(g)) and scaffolding associated with perimeter safety screens (item 2(2)(e))
• Basic rigging licence for rigging work associated with perimeter safety screens (item 5(2)(f)) where it applies
• Trainees work under the supervision of a licence holder while training (s 82(1))
• Engineer to design the gantry for the overhead platform load (WHS Regulation s 315K)
• Competent person to inspect the structure and confirm in writing that construction is complete
• 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
• Training in fall arrest harness use and the rescue plan for everyone who works at height
• General construction induction training card (white card) and site induction

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 54 and 55 (falling objects), ss 315B to 315M (falling object control measures, including s 315J installing, extending or reducing a catch platform, s 315K gantries and s 315L loads over adjoining areas)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): s 225 (scaffolds), ss 306I, 306P and 306Q (fall arrest harness systems and scaffolding), s 306D (falls in other construction work), Schedule 3 items 1 to 3 and 5, and Schedule 19
• 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
• Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2024 (where a mobile crane lifts components)
• 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)

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.