Roof Ventilator (Whirlybird) Installation SWMS

For roofers, roof plumbers, insulation installers and builders who fit whirlybirds and other roof ventilators on existing roofs. It follows the job from the roof inspection and access set-up through cutting the opening, fixing the flashing and ventilator, sealing and testing, to clean-up and handover.

Installing a roof ventilator is construction work (WHS Regulation s 289(1)). Work with a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres is high risk construction work (s 291(a)), so the falls item is ticked and a SWMS is required by law (s 299). Tick the asbestos item if the sheeting may contain asbestos, and the energised electrical installations or services item if you work on or near live wiring. General roofing and metal roof sheeting installation each have their own SWMS.

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 Roof Ventilator (Whirlybird) 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:

• Falls from roof edges and ladders
• Falls through fragile roofs and ceilings
• Cuts from sheeting, swarf and cut-out discs
• Sparks and hot swarf near insulation
• Asbestos in older roof sheeting
• Contact with overhead power lines
• Cutting into hidden wiring
• Heat, dust and fatigue in the roof space
• Sealant fumes and slippery sealant
• Noise from cutting tools
• Tools and offcuts falling on people below
• Wind, sun and hot metal

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
• Site induction
• Installers trained in the ventilator system and its flashing kit (manufacturer’s installer training where available)
• Competent person to assess the roof and fragile areas, and to approve walkways and anchor points
• Training in the fall protection used and in the rescue plan
• Asbestos awareness training, and training under WHS Regulation s 445 for any worker who may be involved in asbestos-related work
• Boom-type elevating work platform licence where the boom length is 11 m or more (Schedule 3)
• Licensed electrical worker for wiring or connecting an electric or solar-powered ventilator (Electrical Safety Act 2002 s 55)
• First aid equipment, facilities and trained first aiders (or access to them) as the work needs (WHS Regulation s 42)

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice 2021
• How to Manage and Control Asbestos 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)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones in schedule 2, roof space work in a class 1, 2 or 10a building (ss 31 to 36) and construction electrical equipment
• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines (distances come from the 2026 Regulation)
• WorkSafe Queensland guidance: Managing the risk of falls while working on roofs in housing construction (guidance, not a 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.