Safety documents for warehouses and logistics in Queensland
Picking, packing, loading and driving a forklift are not construction work, so a safe work method statement (SWMS) is only legally required for high risk construction work (ss 291 and 299 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)). Installing pallet racking can be construction work if it is fitting-out of a structure (s 289), and it is high risk if it involves a risk of falling more than 2 m or is carried out in an area where powered mobile plant moves about (s 291). For routine tasks, a written SWMS or safe work procedure is a practical way to control forklift and pedestrian risks.
Rules that come up in warehouses and transport
Forklifts: a forklift truck, other than an order-picking forklift truck, is a licensed class of high risk work (Schedule 3, item 24), an order-picking forklift truck has its own class (item 25), and you must see written evidence of the licence before directing or allowing the work (s 85).Mobile plant: manage the risks of powered mobile plant, including collisions with pedestrians (s 214), and use a warning device where plant could collide with pedestrians or other plant (s 215).Heavy vehicles: each party in the chain of responsibility for a heavy vehicle must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of its transport activities (s 26C of the Heavy Vehicle National Law).
Popular warehousing templates
Safe Operation of Forklift SWMSReach Truck SWMSPallet Racking Installation SWMSLoading Dock and Dock Leveller SWMSContainer Unpacking (Devanning) SWMSForklift and Pedestrian Safety Toolbox Talk
The Warehouse and Forklift SWMS Bundle covers the main warehouse tasks in one download. Read our guides to forklift injuries and high risk work licences. Every template is an editable Word or Excel file you can brand with your logo, and you download it straight after checkout. Once filled in for your job, the documents help you meet your duties. This is general information, not legal advice.