Static Line and Horizontal Lifeline Installation SWMS

Suits height safety installers, riggers and builders who install static lines and horizontal lifelines on roofs, steel frames and other structures. It follows the work from the engineer’s design and component checks to fixing the anchors and posts, tensioning, clearance checks, testing, user training and handover. Roof anchor points and anchor testing 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 energised electrical installations or services near the line, or disturbance of asbestos where posts or anchors are fixed to old sheeting.

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 Static Line and Horizontal Lifeline 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 the structure while installing
• Anchorage pulling out under load
• Insufficient fall clearance below the line
• Swing falls and edge contact
• Tensioned line or fitting whipping or failing
• Mismatched or damaged components
• Suspension trauma after a fall arrest
• Dust from drilling concrete and masonry
• Hot work from cutting or welding posts
• Falling tools and components
• Manual handling of posts and brackets
• System put into use before approval

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
• Engineer (suitably qualified) to design the static line system, or to verify the maker’s configuration, the end anchorages and the supporting structure
• Competent person to install the system and to inspect and approve each anchorage point before first use (WHS Regulation ss 306G and 306I)
• Schedule 3 item 5(2)(d) lists rigging work involving safety nets and static lines in the basic rigging class; a basic rigging licence (or a higher class) is needed only where the work is rigging work as defined in Schedule 19, that is using mechanical load-shifting equipment and gear to move, place or secure a load, or setting up or dismantling cranes or hoists
• Boom-type elevating work platform of 11 m boom length or more: high risk work licence (Schedule 3 item 21)
• Training for every user in the safe and correct use of the system and in the rescue plan (WHS Regulation ss 306G(2), 306I(9) and 80)
• Trained rescuers and a first aider on site

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
• Steel Construction Advisory Standard 2004 (rigger’s post and static line verification, section 3.7.1)
• Safe Design of Structures Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in construction and manufacturing of construction elements Code of Practice 2022
• Welding Processes Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work 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 electric lines, exclusion zones in schedule 2
• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines
• AS/NZS 1891.2 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Horizontal lifeline and rail systems (named in the Steel Construction Advisory Standard 2004)

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.