SWMS guide · updated November 2026

SWMS for carpenters & builders

Framing, trusses and structural alterations put carpenters into several high risk categories — falls over 2 m, temporary load-bearing support, and moving plant on busy sites.

Common carpentry tasks that need a SWMS

• Wall and roof framing
• Installing trusses and beams
• Structural alterations with temporary propping
• Decks, pergolas and stairs at height

High risk construction work categories that usually apply

• Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
• Temporary load-bearing support for structural alterations or repairs
• Work in an area at a workplace where there is any movement of powered mobile plant

Key hazards and example controls

Hazard	Risk	Example controls
Working at height on roofs, edges, scaffolds or ladders	Fall from height causing serious injury or death	Eliminate where possible by doing work at ground level (pre-fabricate). Install edge protection / guardrails before work starts. Use scaffold or EWP in preference to ladders. Where a fall-prevention device isn't practicable, use a fall-arrest system with anchor points certified and a rescue plan in place. Ladders only for short-duration light work, on firm level ground, secured, 3 points of contact.
Fragile roofing, skylights and penetrations	Falling through brittle surfaces	Identify and mark fragile surfaces. Install safety mesh or covers rated for the load. Exclusion zones under work area. Walkways/crawl boards on fragile roofs.
Falling objects from height	Workers or public struck by tools/materials	Toe boards and debris netting. Tool lanyards. Exclusion zone with barricades and signage below. Hard hats in the zone.
Inadequate propping or temporary support	Structural collapse, crush injury	Engineer-designed propping. Install and remove props in the specified sequence. Inspect props before each shift and after any impact. No loading beyond design.
Mobile plant moving near workers	Struck by or crushed by plant	Traffic management / exclusion zones separating people and plant. Spotters. Reversing alarms and beacons. Licensed operators. Pre-start checks. Hi-vis clothing.

Example controls are a starting point only — tailor them to your site, your plant and the way you'll actually do the job.

Other site hazards worth including

• Manual handling of materials and tools — Mechanical aids (trolleys, hoists). Team lifts for heavy items. Plan the job to minimise carrying. Store materials at working height.
• Hand and power tools — Guards in place. Tools inspected and tagged. Trained users only. Eye protection and gloves as appropriate.

What your SWMS has to cover

• Which high risk construction work the job involves.
• The hazards and the risks to health and safety from them.
• The control measures, and how they'll be implemented, monitored and reviewed — e.g. who installs and who checks the edge protection.
• It should be specific to the site and available to the workers and supervisors doing the job.
• If work isn't being done in line with the SWMS, it must stop (immediately or as soon as it's safe).
• Review and revise it whenever the control measures change.

Based on Safe Work Australia, SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Queensland guidance. Victoria applies its own OHS Regulations — check WorkSafe Victoria.

Common questions

Do carpenters & builders need a SWMS?

Whenever the job involves high risk construction work — for carpentry that commonly means working at heights, structural alterations & propping, mobile plant. Many principal contractors also require one before you start on site.

How long does it take to make one?

With SWMS Ready, around 10 minutes: tick the high risk work, tailor the pre-filled hazards and controls, add site and emergency details, then print with a sign-on sheet.

Can I reuse my SWMS on the next job?

Review it for every site. The hazards, controls, people and emergency arrangements need to match the actual job.