Pedestrian-operated forklift SWMS, drafted for your job
A walk-behind forklift puts the operator beside the tiller, load and fixed objects where a small movement can trap them. Describe the forklift, loads and travel routes: the draft follows that handling task, and your crew checks the controls before moving pallets.
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
Pedestrian-operated forklift
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Check forklift and travel route | Failed controls and blocked escape | High | Test stop functions and clear the walking route |
| 2 | Assess and collect pallet | Unstable load and fork contact | High | Check pallet condition and keep feet clear |
| 3 | Travel with load low | Pedestrians and dock edges | High | Follow separated routes and stop at blind corners |
| 4 | Stack or place pallet | Falling load and racking contact | High | Confirm capacity and clear people before lifting |
| 5 | Park and charge machine | Unattended forks and battery faults | Medium | Lower forks and connect the correct charger in the designated area |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your pedestrian-operated forklift 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 powered mobile plant is moving
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 pedestrian-operated forklift 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
Operator trapped between the walkie forklift tiller and racking
Extreme- Keep an escape path and avoid travel positions that trap the operator
- Check the reversing safety button and stop controls before use
- 2
Feet caught beneath pedestrian forklift wheels and forks
High- Keep feet outside the truck footprint and fork travel path
- Stop travel before repositioning near the load
- 3
Workers struck by a walkie forklift at blind warehouse corners
High- Separate pallet travel routes from pedestrian access with barriers
- Stop at blind corners and use a spotter where sightlines remain blocked
- 4
Pallets falling from a walk-behind stacker during placement
High- Check pallet condition and load stability before lifting
- Match the load and lift height to the machine's capacity information
- 5
Pedestrian forklift rolling from an open loading dock edge
Extreme- Keep dock edges protected and exclude unsuitable ramps from the route
- Inspect travel surfaces and keep loads low while travelling
- 6
Battery fumes or electrical faults at the walkie charging point
High- Use the designated ventilated charging area with the correct charger
- Inspect charging leads and isolate damaged equipment before connection
How the job usually runs
- 1Check forklift and travel routeFailed controls and blocked escape → Test stop functions and clear the walking route
- 2Assess and collect palletUnstable load and fork contact → Check pallet condition and keep feet clear
- 3Travel with load lowPedestrians and dock edges → Follow separated routes and stop at blind corners
- 4Stack or place palletFalling load and racking contact → Confirm capacity and clear people before lifting
- 5Park and charge machineUnattended forks and battery faults → Lower forks and connect the correct charger in the designated area
PPE for this job
- Safety boots
- High-visibility clothing
- Work gloves
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
Pedestrian-operated forklift 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 electric pallet jacks and walkie stackers?
Yes. Identify whether the machine only moves pallets or also stacks them. The draft covers the tiller position, pedestrian routes and battery charging, with elevated load controls for stackers.
Can it include a forklift traffic management plan for tight aisles?
The draft covers route separation, blind corners and keeping an escape path beside the tiller. Describe the aisle layout and pedestrian access so the crew can check those arrangements against the actual site.
How much does a pedestrian-operated forklift 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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