Safe work method statement for Class 1, 2 & 10 building projects B Grade Bricklayers Pty Ltd

This SWMS is a site-specific statement that must be prepared before any high-risk construction work is commenced.
Person responsible
for ensuring
compliance with
this SWMS:

Leading hand

Date:

High-risk job:
(Note: Shaded sections 3, 4 and
5 relate to high risk construction
work).

Bricklaying where there is a risk from:

Location:

What are the tasks involved?

Powered mobile plant

Falling more than 2 metres

Energised electrical installations

Structural collapse
What are the hazards and risks?

How will hazards and risks be controlled?

(describe the control measures and how they will be used)

Think about the worksite and each stage of the project, including preparation and clean-up.
1.

Work preparation

Slip and trip hazards in the work site.

Equipment poorly maintained or positioned.

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Clean up work area before start.

Mixers to be well maintained and serviceable. Check that:

Guards are fitted around pulley belts;

Electric mixers and saws have good leads, current test tags,
use an RCD and are off the ground.

Petrol driven mixers and saws are tuned and only operate
outside.

Manual handling injuries.

Throwing or stacking bricks or blocks, shovelling
mortar, above shoulder height.

Use the davit arm and winch when unloading mixers from utes.
Supply cement only in 20 kg bags.
Use a brick elevator when raising materials.

UV rays

UV protection clothing, sun glasses, broad brimmed hats and

30+ sunscreen to be worn.

Cement dermatitis

Apply barrier cream to hands before commencing work.

Handling lime, cutting or grinding masonry.

Goggles to be worn.
Respirators or dust masks to be worn.
Hearing protection to be worn when cutting or grinding.

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Safe work method statement (continued)

2.

3.

4.

Delivery of bricks

Working at ground level

Working above ground

Pallets of bricks blocking exits or footpaths.

Plan space and location requirements before bricks arrive.

Keep pallets inside site boundaries. People must not be forced
off footpaths or on to roadways.

Moving bricks over long distances.

Have bricks delivered as close as feasible to work areas.

Being struck by powered mobile plant

Set up barricaded zone for bricklaying work, or

Use a dedicated trained traffic controller when working in a
mobile plant operational zone.

Falling into excavations

No work within 2 m of an open trench or shaft unless barricades

are in place to prevent falls.

Falling from height

For fall heights <2 m, use fully decked heavy duty frame trestle
scaffolds, with bay lengths of 1.8 m or less.
For fall-heights >2 m, use heavy duty modular scaffolds with
brick-guards, handed over by the licenced scaffolder as
complete1.
To prevent collapse, do not load platforms with more than 100
bricks per bay (or 400 kg of blocks).
No modular scaffold alterations, except by licensed scaffolder.
Platforms only to be accessed by stair of ladder towers.

Electric shock from overhead powerlines

Do not use scaffolds closer than 4.6 m to powerlines unless the

scaffolding contractor has fitted ply hoarding sheets to the
outside of the scaffold and to the full height of the working lift.

5.

Constructing brick walls

Structural collapse before completion & curing

Brace walls in accordance with Company Instruction Sheet #3.

6.

Work completion

Cement dermatitis

Remove dirt, lime, cement and work dust with hand cleaner and
apply barrier cream.

Injuries to public on unattended worksite

Ensure site is secure upon departure.

Although this sample statement chooses to rely on licenced scaffolders for erection of scaffolds over 2 metres, this is not a mandatory requirement for scaffolds of less than 4 metres height.

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Safe work method statement (continued)

Steps for filling out
1. Discuss with relevant employees, contractors and HSRs what work will be high-risk, the tasks, and associated hazards, risks and controls.
2. In the What are the tasks involved? column, list the work tasks in sequence to how they will be carried out.
3. In the What are the hazards and risks? column, list the hazards and risks for each work task.
4. In the How will the hazards and risks be controlled? column, select the hazard or risk and then work through the control levels 1 4 from top to bottom. Choose a control
measure (and how it is to be used) that is as close to level 1 as is reasonably practicable.
Control levels
1. Eliminate any risk to health or safety associated with construction work.
2. Reduce the risk to health or safety by any one or any combination of the following:

Substituting a new activity, procedure, plant, process or substance

Isolating persons from the hazard, such as barricading, fencing or guardrailing, or

Using engineering controls, such as mechanical or electrical devices.

3. Use administrative controls, such as changing the way the work is done.
4. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment.
5. Brief each team member on this SWMS before commencing work. Ensure team knows that work is to immediately stop if the SWMS is not being followed.
6. Observe work being carried out. If controls are not adequate, stop the work, review the SWMS, adjust as required and re-brief the team.
7. Retain this SWMS for the duration of the high-risk construction work.

WorkSafe Victoria is a trading name of the Victorian WorkCover Authority.

The information presented in this sample Safe Work Method Statement is intended to illustrate one of many ways in which the identified hazards and risks could be documented and controlled.
It should not be viewed as a definitive guide to the law, and should be read in conjunction with the Working safely in the housing construction industry guide.
This sample is protected by copyright. WorkSafe encourages the free transfer and printing of this sample if such activities support the purposes and intent for which the publication was developed.

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May 2008