Swing Stage Rigging and Dismantling SWMS

For scaffolding and rigging contractors who install and remove swing stages on buildings. It follows the job from the design plan and supporting structure through fixing the needles, fitting counterweights, reeving ropes, testing and handover to 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). Operating the stage is covered by a separate SWMS; crane lifts and dogging are also 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 Swing Stage Rigging and Dismantling SWMS?

The job steps run in the order the work is done, from pre-start checks to finishing up. The hazards and controls include:

• Roof or parapet unable to carry the rig
• Needles, outriggers and parapet clamps not fixed as designed
• Too few or loose counterweights
• Falls at the roof edge during rigging
• Rope, hoist or trolley failure
• Wrong rope or shared rope attachment
• Cradle dropping or swinging
• Electric shock from the stage supply
• Dropped tools and ropes on people below
• Person stuck in the cradle or a harness
• Wind during set-up
• Manual handling of beams and weights

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

• Advanced scaffolding or advanced rigging high risk work licence for the person carrying out or directly supervising the erection, alteration or dismantling of a suspended scaffold (Schedule 3 items 3(2)(c) and 7(e); the scaffolding licence applies where a person or object could fall more than 4 m from the platform or structure, and s 225 applies to a suspended scaffold at any height; Scaffolding Code of Practice 2021 appendix 5)
• Trainees work under the supervision of a licence holder while training (s 82(1))
• Engineer to design the suspension system and to assess that the roof, parapet or slab can carry the loads, as the approved Scaffolding Code sets out for swing stages
• Competent person to inspect the installation and confirm in writing that construction is complete (s 225)
• Licensed electrical worker to install and test the power supply and board (Electrical Safety Act 2002 s 55)
• Training in the use of the stage and its emergency lowering procedure for the crew; operators are nominated in writing
• Fall arrest harness and rescue training for everyone who works at the roof edge
• General construction induction training card (white card) and site induction
• 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, 306P and 306Q (fall arrest and scaffolding), s 80 (rescue), Schedule 3 items 3 and 7 and Schedule 19 (suspended scaffold)
• Scaffolding Code of Practice 2021 (section 5.3 and appendix 5, suspended scaffolds)
• 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): s 55 (electrical work licence)
• 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 1576.4 Scaffolding: Suspended scaffolding (cited in the Scaffolding Code)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (15 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.