Ride-on mower SWMS, drafted for your job
A ride-on mower can roll on uneven banks or throw hidden stones into nearby paths. Reaching beneath the deck before blades stop puts hands beside cutting edges and stored movement. Describe the job and site so the draft reflects your work, then check the SWMS 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
Ride-on mower
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Walk turf and select mowing route | Hidden debris and unstable banks | High | Remove projectiles and exclude unsuitable terrain |
| 2 | Inspect mower and close public access | Failed guards and nearby pedestrians | High | Check interlocks and separate the mowing area |
| 3 | Mow along the planned route | Rollover and thrown debris | High | Follow machine terrain guidance; direct discharge away from people |
| 4 | Isolate mower and clear blockages | Moving blades and raised deck | High | Stop blades, isolate starting and support raised parts |
| 5 | Refuel and park mower | Hot engine and uncontrolled movement | High | Cool before refuelling; secure on firm level ground |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your ride-on mower 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 ride-on mower 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
Ride-on mower rolling at banks and drain edges
High- Use another mowing method where terrain is unsuitable for the mower
- Follow the machine terrain guidance and keep clear of unsupported edges
- 2
Stones thrown from the mower discharge onto footpaths
High- Walk the mowing area and remove stones, wire and loose debris
- Keep discharge guards fitted and separate bystanders from the mowing zone
- 3
Hands reaching moving blades beneath a blocked mower deck
High- Stop the engine, isolate the start system and wait for blades to stop
- Use tools to clear debris and support raised parts before reaching beneath
- 4
Ride-on mower reversing into pedestrians behind shrubs
High- Separate mowing from pedestrian access with barriers or a closure
- Check behind before reversing and stop when people enter the area
- 5
Fuel igniting on a hot ride-on mower engine
Medium- Refuel away from ignition sources after the engine has cooled
- Use suitable containers and clean spills before restarting
- 6
Operator thrown from a ride-on mower during a turn
High- Inspect steering, tyres and safety interlocks before mowing
- Use the operator restraint with the rollover system as directed for the machine
How the job usually runs
- 1Walk turf and select mowing routeHidden debris and unstable banks → Remove projectiles and exclude unsuitable terrain
- 2Inspect mower and close public accessFailed guards and nearby pedestrians → Check interlocks and separate the mowing area
- 3Mow along the planned routeRollover and thrown debris → Follow machine terrain guidance; direct discharge away from people
- 4Isolate mower and clear blockagesMoving blades and raised deck → Stop blades, isolate starting and support raised parts
- 5Refuel and park mowerHot engine and uncontrolled movement → Cool before refuelling; secure on firm level ground
PPE for this job
- Hearing protection
- Safety glasses
- Safety boots
- High-visibility clothing
- Sun-protective clothing
- Handling gloves for isolated maintenance
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
Ride-on mower 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 mowing beside public footpaths?
Yes. Describe the paths and how access will be separated. The draft covers clearing debris, controlling discharge direction and stopping the mower when pedestrians enter the work area.
What if a bank feels too steep for the mower?
Use another mowing method for unsuitable terrain. The draft includes checking the machine guidance, inspecting banks and drain edges, and choosing a route before the mower starts.
How much does a ride-on mower 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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