SWMS guide · updated November 2026

SWMS for hvac & refrigeration

Air-con and refrigeration techs routinely work on refrigerant lines, at height on rooftops and near energised equipment — and cold rooms add artificial extremes of temperature.

Common hvac / refrigeration tasks that need a SWMS

• Split system and ducted installs
• Refrigerant line work
• Rooftop plant and condensers
• Cold room installation and servicing

High risk construction work categories that usually apply

• Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
• Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
• Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
• Work in an area with artificial extremes of temperature

Key hazards and example controls

Hazard	Risk	Example controls
Release from chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines	Burns, toxic exposure, fire	Identify and isolate lines with the owner. Lock-out/tag-out. Check SDS for each substance. Appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, RPE). Spill kit on site.
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.
Contact with live electrical parts	Electric shock, arc flash, burns, death	De-energise, isolate, lock-out/tag-out and test before touching. Live work only where permitted and by licensed electricians with a safety observer. Insulated tools and arc-rated PPE. RCD protection on all portable equipment.
Overhead power lines near plant or ladders	Electrocution	Maintain approach distances set by the network operator / regulator. Spotter for plant near lines. Use non-conductive ladders.
Working in cold rooms or very hot environments	Heat stress, hypothermia, cold burns	Limit exposure time with work/rest cycles. Access to water and shade/warmth. Appropriate clothing. Buddy system and monitoring for symptoms.

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.
• Slips, trips and falls on the same level — Housekeeping: keep walkways clear, manage leads and hoses, clean up spills. Adequate lighting.

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 hvac & refrigeration need a SWMS?

Whenever the job involves high risk construction work — for hvac / refrigeration that commonly means chemical, fuel & refrigerant lines, working at heights, electrical work near live parts, extreme temperatures. 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.