SWMS guide · updated November 2026

SWMS for telecommunications technicians

Work on a telecommunication tower is its own high risk construction work category, and most tower work also carries a serious fall risk.

Common telecommunications tasks that need a SWMS

• Tower climbing and antenna work
• Cabling at height
• Pit and conduit work
• Work near power infrastructure

High risk construction work categories that usually apply

• Work on a telecommunication tower
• Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
• Work on or near energised electrical installations or services

Key hazards and example controls

Hazard	Risk	Example controls
Climbing and working on towers	Fall from height, fatigue	Only trained and competent climbers. Fall-arrest with twin lanyards, 100% tie-off. Rescue plan and rescue kit on site. Weather and wind limits set before climbing.
RF energy from live antennas	Radiofrequency exposure	Arrange shutdown/power reduction with the carrier. Personal RF monitors. Observe RF exclusion zones and signage.
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.

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.
• Working in heat and sun — Schedule heavy work for cooler times. Water, shade and rest breaks. Sun protection (hat, long sleeves, sunscreen).

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 telecommunications technicians need a SWMS?

Whenever the job involves high risk construction work — for telecommunications that commonly means telecommunication towers, working at heights, electrical work near live parts. 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.