Working at heights SWMS and WHS templates

Safety documents for working at heights in Queensland

Construction work with a risk of a person falling more than 2 m is high risk construction work (section 291(a) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)), so a SWMS is required before it starts (section 299). If the SWMS states that the only controls will be administrative controls or PPE, it must describe all the control measures considered, including by addressing the general fall protection requirements in section 79(3) (section 299(4)).

• If a fall risk cannot be eliminated, use a fall prevention device where reasonably practicable, otherwise a work positioning system, otherwise a fall arrest system (s 79).
• With a fall arrest system, establish and test emergency and rescue procedures and train relevant workers (s 80).
• Each anchorage point of a fall arrest harness system used as a control must be designed by an engineer, or inspected and approved by a competent person before it is first used (s 306I).
• Ladders (other than trestle ladders) used for construction work need a load rating of at least 120 kg and must be manufactured for industrial use (s 306M).
• Using a boom-type EWP with a boom of 11 m or more needs a high risk work licence (s 81, Schedule 3).

Templates to start with

• Working at Heights SWMS: the core document for fall risks
• Elevated Work Platform SWMS: scissor lifts and EWPs
• Scaffolding SWMS: working from scaffold
• Work at Heights Policy & Procedure Template: your company rules for heights
• Boom Lift SWMS: boom-type lifts
• Working in Ceiling Space SWMS: roof voids and ceilings

Related guides: scissor lift and EWP licences and fall protection and prevention.

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