Working Under Vehicles (Jacks and Axle Stands) SWMS

For mechanics, tyre fitters, workshop owners and home-based servicing businesses who work under vehicles supported by trolley jacks and axle stands. It follows the job from choosing level ground and preparing the vehicle to jack and stand placement, working underneath and lowering the vehicle.

Vehicle servicing is not construction work, so a SWMS is not legally required for it (WHS Regulation s 299). Used as a written safe work procedure and task risk assessment, it sets out how jack, stand and vehicle hazards are controlled; no high risk construction work items are pre-ticked. If the work is part of high risk construction work, tick the items that apply, for example energised electrical installations or services, or disturbance of asbestos.

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 Working Under Vehicles (Jacks and Axle Stands) SWMS?

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

• Jack failure or slipping under load
• Vehicle rolling or falling off axle stands
• Unstable ground and weak support points
• Working under a vehicle held only by a jack
• Loosening tight fasteners and shifting the vehicle
• Heavy wheels and transmissions
• Fuel, oil and fire
• Asbestos in older brake and clutch linings
• Hybrid and electric vehicle high-voltage systems
• Hot exhausts and sharp edges
• Wheel nuts left loose
• Trapped person and emergency response

High Risk Construction Work

No high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are pre-ticked, because this work is not high risk construction work by itself. Tick the items that apply to your job, such as a fall risk of more than 2 metres or work where powered mobile plant is moving.

Licences, Training and Competency

• Trade training or documented experience in vehicle servicing and verified competence in using jacks and axle stands
• Training in the manufacturer’s high-voltage shutdown procedure for hybrid and electric vehicles, or an electrically qualified person for that work
• Awareness of asbestos in old friction linings and gaskets
• Site induction, including workshop rules
• Trained 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 Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace 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

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.