Safe Work Method Statement
High Risk Activity:
Project:
Demolition and Dismantling
Company Name:
ABN No:
Company Address:
Company Contact and Phone No:
Supervisor:
Personnel Consulted in Development:
Personnel Responsible for Monitoring this Activity:
Competencies/Qualifications/Training Requirements:
Licenced Electrician, Competent in the use of this SWMS
Plant/Equipment Required for this Activity
Legislation/Standards
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
Electricity Safety Act
Electrical Safety (Installations) Regulation
Insulated Tools
Isolation, Lock Out Tag Out Kit
Test Meter
Materials Used: Nil
Safety Data Sheets Required: Nil
Permits/Licences: Demolition Permit (As Requested)
PPE/Emergency Equipment Required: Safety Helmet, Safety Footwear, Eye Protection,
Hearing Protection, Gloves.
Approved By:
Signature
Review No.
Name & Initials
Date
1
Name
2
SWMS Demolition and Dismantling 15 July 2013 Version: 1
3
4
Date of Approval
5
6
7
8
9
Page 1 of 6
Safe Work Method Statement
PROCEDURE
(break the job down into steps)
Planning
Pre Start
Isolate, Lock Out and
Tag Out Circuits
POTENTIAL SAFETY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
(what can go wrong)
INHERENT
RISK SCORE
L
C
R
4
5
20
L
C
R
3
5
15
Electric Contact.
Untrained Employees;
Incorrect Tools &
Equipment;
Unauthorised Entry;
Electrical Contact
L
C
R
3
5
15
SWMS Demolition and Dismantling 15 July 2013 Version: 1
MANAGEMENT METHOD
(controls to be in place in order to manage potential hazards)
In conjunction with client confirm which electrical circuits are to be
removed and if any electrical circuits need to remain and not be
isolated;
- Check plans to determine circuit configuration;
- Carry out a physical inspection of circuits to be removed. Test as
required to confirm accuracy of plans. Physical inspection to confirm
that circuitry is covered by an RCD and that the RCD is in working
order.
- Report any anomalies to client;
- Resolve ALL discrepancies between the plans and actual, prior to
work commencing.
- Prior to work commencing the Site Supervisor shall hold a daily prestart meeting that ensures;

The “Permit to Work” has been authorised by the client;

All current plans and details of circuitry are available;

All workers and sub-contractors are aware of all activities and
requirements;

Tools to be used are fully insulated and testing equipment is
within test date;

Isolation, Lock Out and Tag Out Kits are readily available;

Ensure that client and other trades have been informed of the
day’s activities;

Establish temporary lighting as required;
 Barricading and signage has been established as required.
Treat ALL cabling as live unless confirmed otherwise- Always test
prior to touching (THIS IS MANDATORY). The circuitry labelling MAY
BE WRONG, do not take the chance.
- Tools used for the testing of live circuits shall be tested on known live
sources immediately prior to issue.
- The electrical equipment must be isolated from supply by either
opening switches, switching off circuit breakers (and rack out if
RESIDUAL
RISK
SCORE
L
C
R
1
5
5
L
C
R
2
4
8
L
C
R
1
5
5
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
(to ensure implementation
of controls)
Project Manager
Site Supervisor
Site Supervisor
Page 2 of 6
Safe Work Method Statement
PROCEDURE
(break the job down into steps)
POTENTIAL SAFETY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
(what can go wrong)
INHERENT
RISK SCORE
MANAGEMENT METHOD
(controls to be in place in order to manage potential hazards)
RESIDUAL
RISK
SCORE
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
(to ensure implementation
of controls)
possible), or removing fuses. Following isolation, the circuit isolating
device shall be secured in the open position and locked out.
Alternatively isolation may consist of disconnection and removal of the
cabling from the control device. Where this system of isolation is
adopted all active plus neutral and earth conductors forming the circuit
must be removed.
- The isolating device must then have a lock and tag attached.
- Test using proven equipment which has been tested immediately
prior. Volt sticks or similar are not an acceptable testing device to
confirm that power is OFF, these can only be used to confirm power is
ON.
- Where practical warning tags shall be placed at all points of the
switching, isolation or disconnection. No device shall be operated
whilst a lock or tag is attached.
- Tags shall contain the following information, clearly visible.
a) The reason for the tag being attached
b) The date the tag is attached
c) The name, company and contact phone no. of the person attaching
the tag.
- The lock and tag shall only be removed by the person who attached
them originally, or in their absence the Site Supervisor, or Project
Manager after familiarising themselves with the reason for their
presence.
- In some situations multiple locks and tags may be required. One or
more may belong to other contractors and / or other trades. In these
situations all tags and locks must be signed off and removed prior to
energisation.
SWMS Demolition and Dismantling 15 July 2013 Version: 1
Page 3 of 6
Safe Work Method Statement
PROCEDURE
(break the job down into steps)
Removal of redundant
cables
Completion of Work
Clean Work Area
POTENTIAL SAFETY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
(what can go wrong)
Electrical Contact
INHERENT
RISK SCORE
L
C
R
3
5
15
L
C
R
3
5
15
Electrical Contact
Slips, Trips, Falls
Manual Handling
Lacerations
L
C
R
3
4
12
SWMS Demolition and Dismantling 15 July 2013 Version: 1
MANAGEMENT METHOD
(controls to be in place in order to manage potential hazards)
- Trace individual cables back to source, confirm cable is dead and cut
to remove.
- Remove redundant cables;
- Cables to remain energised to be visually checked for damage,
bundled together and marked with danger tape. (Every two metres).
After the work has been completed, or if the person who placed the
safety lock and danger tag has to leave, the person must:
1. Ensure that there are no hazards remaining due to the
work performed.
2. Remove the safety lock and danger tag.
3. Check for any other safety locks or tags remaining at the
isolating control.
4. If there are no safety locks or danger tags remaining,
check that there is no danger involved by starting or reenergising of the equipment. If the equipment is not fit for
service, attach an “Out of Service” tag.
5. A person shall not remove a lockout device or tag other
than:
a) The person who installed it;
b) In an emergency or where the person who installed
the device is definitely not available, the Site
Supervisor or Project Manager, who has first ensured
that no one will not be endangered by the removal.
Remove all redundant cabling, tools and equipment, barricading and
signage.
Use mechanical lifting aids or team lifting.
Wear gloves at all times
RESIDUAL
RISK
SCORE
L
C
R
1
5
5
L
C
R
1
5
5
L
C
R
2
2
4
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
(to ensure implementation
of controls)
Site Supervisor
Site Supervisor
Page 4 of 6
Safe Work Method Statement
LIKELIHOOD
CONSEQUENCES
Insignificant
[1]
Minor
[2]
Moderate
[3]
Major
[4]
Catastrophic
[5]
Almost Certain [5]
Moderate (5)
High (10)
High (15)
Catastrophic (20)
Catastrophic (25)
Likely [4]
Moderate (4)
Moderate (8)
High (12)
Catastrophic (16)
Catastrophic (20)
Possible [3]
Low (3)
Moderate (6)
Moderate (9)
High (12)
High (15)
Unlikely [2]
Low (2)
Moderate (4)
Moderate (6)
Moderate (8)
High (10)
Rare [1]
Low (1)
Low (2)
Low (3)
Moderate (4)
Moderate (5)
If the residual
risk
=
Catastrophic (16+)
then
Work unable to proceed seek other methods (Significant)
=
High (10 – 15)
then
Permission from high level management for work to proceed (Significant)
=
Moderate (4 – 9)
then
Permission from worker in charge for work to proceed (Insignificant)
=
Low (1 – 3)
then
Work able to proceed (Insignificant)
1. Eliminate
2. Substitute
3. Isolate
4. Redesign
5. Administrative
6. PPE Last Resort
Eliminate the hazard
Substitute with a less hazardous
material, process or equipment
Isolate the hazard
Redesign equipment or work
process
Introduce administrative controls
Use appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment
C = Consequence
L = Likelihood
5 = Catastrophic = Fatality, permanent disability, long term widespread impacts, huge financial loss.
5 = Almost Certain = It is almost certain that the risk will occur in most circumstances.
4 = Major = Permanent disability or extensive injuries, medium to long term widespread impact, major financial loss.
4 = Likely = The risk is likely to occur in most circumstances.
3 = Moderate = Lost time injury, reversible medium term local impact, high financial loss.
3 = Possible = There is uncertainty that the risk could occur.
2 = Minor = Medical treatment, reversible short – medium term impact to local area, medium financial loss.
2 = Unlikely = The risk could occur at some time but there is confidence that it will not.
1 = Insignificant = First aid, limited impact to minimal area, low financial loss. .
1 = Rare = The impact/risk may occur only in exceptional circumstances.
SWMS Demolition and Dismantling 15 July 2013 Version: 1
Page 5 of 6
Safe Work Method Statement
We the undersigned, confirm that we have been consulted in the development of this SWMS. If a failure is identified within the SWMS work will stop, the SWMS
amended and changes communicated to the workforce. We also clearly understand that the controls must be applied as documented, otherwise work is to
cease immediately. We also confirm that we are qualified to carry out the works identified above; a copy of our required qualifications has been provided and
where applicable all insurances and work cover policies to undertake this activity are current.
Name
SWMS Demolition and Dismantling 15 July 2013 Version: 1
Signature
Date
Page 6 of 6