Stone conservation and restoration SWMS, drafted for your job
Removing failed mortar can release loose stones in an old wall, while dressing replacement stone creates silica dust beside fragile heritage fabric. Describe the job and site so your SWMS reflects the work, then review the draft with the crew before starting.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Stone conservation and restoration
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where someone could fall from height
- Structural alterations that need temporary support
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Inspect the stonework | Loose stones and suspect coatings | High | Assess stability and materials before disturbing joints |
| 2 | Set supports and access | Wall collapse and exposed platforms | High | Support weak masonry; provide guarded access |
| 3 | Remove failed joints | Falling fragments and mortar dust | High | Isolate below; use dust-controlled tooling |
| 4 | Fit stones and repoint | Heavy blocks and wet lime | High | Use lifting aids; keep fingers clear of bedding |
| 5 | Clean and remove access | Residue and unsupported repairs | Medium | Check repair stability before removing supports |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your stone conservation and restoration SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
Categories this task often involves
You tick the ones your job involves. Each ticked category gets its own steps and controls, in your state's wording.
- Work where someone could fall from height
- Structural alterations that need temporary support
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a stone conservation and restoration job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Loose face stones falling during mortar removal
High- Assess wall stability and fit designed temporary supports before removing failed joints
- Keep people outside the wall fall area while loose masonry is secured
- 2
Silica dust dressing replacement sandstone and raking joints
High- Order stone to size and use wet tooling or suitable on-tool extraction
- Isolate the dressing area and use fitted respiratory protection for remaining dust
- 3
Falls from access platforms along uneven stone facades
High- Provide a guarded scaffold or work platform suited to the facade
- Keep access decks clear of stone fragments and mortar tubs
- 4
Crush injuries lifting replacement blocks into heritage walls
High- Use a stone lifter with grips suited to the block and surface
- Land on prepared supports and align with tools rather than fingers
- 5
Lime mortar and cleaning chemicals splashing during repairs
Medium- Choose less hazardous treatments and follow the product handling directions
- Use splash containment, eye protection and gloves suited to the treatment
- 6
Hidden hazardous coatings disturbed on historic masonry
High- Check old coatings and repairs before abrasive cleaning or cutting
- Stop on suspect asbestos or lead and arrange specialist assessment before disturbance
How the job usually runs
- 1Inspect the stoneworkLoose stones and suspect coatings → Assess stability and materials before disturbing joints
- 2Set supports and accessWall collapse and exposed platforms → Support weak masonry; provide guarded access
- 3Remove failed jointsFalling fragments and mortar dust → Isolate below; use dust-controlled tooling
- 4Fit stones and repointHeavy blocks and wet lime → Use lifting aids; keep fingers clear of bedding
- 5Clean and remove accessResidue and unsupported repairs → Check repair stability before removing supports
PPE for this job
- Safety boots
- Safety helmet
- Safety glasses
- Chemical-resistant gloves for treatments
- Fitted particulate respirator
- Hearing protection for tooling
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Stone conservation and restoration SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
Does it cover repointing an old sandstone wall?
Yes. Describe the wall condition, mortar removal method and access. The draft covers checking loose stones, supporting unstable areas, controlling joint dust and handling lime mortar; review it against the actual masonry.
What if the old stonework moves during repairs?
Movement is a stop-work point. The draft covers clearing the fall area and having the wall assessed before work resumes. Describe any cracking or temporary supports when you start.
How much does a stone conservation and restoration SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
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