General & Non-High-Risk Activities SWMS

Product Description

General & Non-High-Risk Activities SWMS is a professionally developed Safe Work Method Statement for Australian construction businesses undertaking routine site activities that support construction projects but do not involve high-risk construction work. Supplied in editable Microsoft Word format, this document helps contractors establish consistent safety procedures for everyday site operations while providing a practical framework that can be customised to suit individual projects and workplaces.

Every construction project involves a range of routine activities that still require effective planning, hazard identification and documented safe work practices. Site access, material deliveries, manual handling, housekeeping, interaction with other trades and general workplace movement all present hazards that need to be managed to protect workers, visitors and the public. This SWMS assists businesses in documenting these activities and implementing practical control measures that support safe and efficient site operations.

Suitable for residential, commercial, civil and maintenance projects, the document provides a logical work sequence covering general construction activities from mobilisation through to site completion, making it an ideal supporting SWMS within broader project safety documentation.

Typical Applications

Suitable for projects involving:

• General construction site activities.
• Routine plumbing and maintenance works.
• Site establishment.
• Material deliveries and storage.
• Manual handling tasks.
• Site access and mobilisation.
• Working around other trades.
• Public interface management.
• General housekeeping and demobilisation.

Work Activities Covered

Depending on the selected work method, the SWMS may include:

• Pre-start planning and hazard identification.
• Travel to and between worksites.
• Site inductions.
• Pre-start meetings and toolbox talks.
• Site inspections and environmental assessments.
• Assessing safe access options.
• Establishing work areas and signage.
• Delivery, unloading and storage of materials.
• Manual handling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Carrying tools and equipment.
• Managing slips, trips and falls.
• Working in public areas.
• Interaction with other trades.
• Worker training and competency requirements.
• Site housekeeping and completion of work.

Hazards Addressed

This SWMS addresses hazards commonly associated with routine construction activities, including:

• Vehicle movements and travel.
• Manual handling injuries.
• Sprains and strains.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Crush and impact hazards.
• Environmental hazards.
• Heat, cold and outdoor weather conditions.
• Wildlife and hazardous site conditions.
• Pedestrian interaction.
• Public safety risks.
• Poor housekeeping.
• Inadequate worker training or supervision.

Control Measures Included

The document supports businesses by documenting practical control measures such as:

• Completing pre-start planning and site inductions.
• Confirming worker competency and training.
• Assessing site conditions before work begins.
• Establishing exclusion zones and signage where required.
• Applying safe manual handling techniques and using mechanical lifting aids where appropriate.
• Planning deliveries and safe material storage.
• Maintaining clear access routes and adequate lighting.
• Managing pedestrian and public interfaces.
• Coordinating work with other contractors and trades.
• Maintaining good housekeeping throughout the project and securing the work area upon completion.

Plant & Equipment

Depending on the selected work method, plant and equipment may include:

• Mechanical lifting devices.
• Excavator.
• Bobcat.
• Oxy-acetylene equipment.
• Hand tools.
• Battery tools.
• Ladders.

Personal Protective Equipment

The documented activity references PPE including:

• Hard hat.
• High-visibility clothing.
• Safety boots.
• Safety glasses.
• Gloves.
• Hearing protection.
• Sun protection.

Document Features

• Editable Microsoft Word format.
• Suitable for Australian construction workplaces.
• Logical work sequence from mobilisation through completion.
• Hazard identification and practical risk controls.
• Worker responsibilities and competency requirements.
• Easy to customise for individual projects and site conditions.
• Suitable for integration into broader WHS management systems.

Who This SWMS Is For

Suitable for:

• Construction contractors.
• Plumbing contractors.
• Maintenance contractors.
• Civil contractors.
• Principal contractors.
• Businesses undertaking routine construction and site support activities.

Australian WHS Requirements

Although these activities may not be classified as high-risk construction work, they still require effective planning and risk management. This SWMS should be reviewed and customised before work commences to reflect the site conditions, work methods, plant, personnel and project-specific hazards applicable to the work being undertaken.

Why Choose Tradies Compliance?

Tradies Compliance develops practical, professionally written SWMS templates that are easy to customise and suitable for Australian construction businesses. Delivered in editable Microsoft Word format, our documents help streamline project preparation while supporting consistent WHS management across routine construction activities and everyday site operations.