Powered and hand tools SWMS, drafted for your job
A saw, grinder or chisel can move into a worker when the workpiece shifts, while damaged leads, unsuitable accessories and uncontrolled dust add hazards around the cutting station. Tell us the job and the site: your SWMS is drafted around them, and you check it with the crew before work starts.
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
Powered and hand tools
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Select tools and plan the work | Wrong accessory or uncontrolled material hazards | High | Match the tool, accessory and dust controls to the task |
| 2 | Inspect and set up the workbench | Damaged leads and moving workpieces | High | Remove defects and clamp material on stable supports |
| 3 | Operate powered or hand tools | Cutting contact and flying fragments | High | Keep guards fitted and separate the working and bystander areas |
| 4 | Change accessories and clear jams | Unexpected start and stored air | High | Disconnect every energy supply before reaching into the tool |
| 5 | Clean and store equipment | Residual dust and exposed blades | Medium | Vacuum residues and protect cutting edges before storage |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your powered and hand tools 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
High-risk work on this job
This task is not usually high-risk construction work. If your job involves any category, tick it when you start and the SWMS covers it.
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 powered and hand tools 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
Electric shock from damaged power tool leads beside wet work areas
Extreme- Use suitable protected supplies and keep connections out of water and traffic
- Inspect cords and plugs and remove damaged tools from use
- 2
Cuts from saw blades or grinder discs while small workpieces shift
High- Clamp work on a stable bench and keep the tool’s guards fitted
- Choose an accessory suited to the tool and material and keep hands outside its path
- 3
Eye injuries from mushroomed chisels and chipped hammer heads
High- Inspect striking tools and remove damaged heads or loose handles from use
- Use suitable eye protection and keep others outside the striking area
- 4
Silica or wood dust released by portable cutting and sanding tools
High- Choose a lower dust method and use suitable on-tool extraction or wet controls
- Separate dusty work and use a fitted respirator selected for the material
- 5
Tool starting while blades, bits or grinder discs are changed
High- Disconnect electrical, battery or air supplies before changing accessories
- Release stored pressure and verify the tool cannot start before adjustment
- 6
Hand strain and vibration exposure during repeated drilling or grinding
Medium- Choose maintained low vibration tools and accessories suited to the task
- Alternate tasks and stop to reassess if numbness or discomfort develops
- 7
Grinding fragments and sparks striking workers beside the tool bench
High- Set screens and keep the grinding path away from people and combustibles
- Check discs for damage and wear suitable face and eye protection
How the job usually runs
- 1Select tools and plan the workWrong accessory or uncontrolled material hazards → Match the tool, accessory and dust controls to the task
- 2Inspect and set up the workbenchDamaged leads and moving workpieces → Remove defects and clamp material on stable supports
- 3Operate powered or hand toolsCutting contact and flying fragments → Keep guards fitted and separate the working and bystander areas
- 4Change accessories and clear jamsUnexpected start and stored air → Disconnect every energy supply before reaching into the tool
- 5Clean and store equipmentResidual dust and exposed blades → Vacuum residues and protect cutting edges before storage
PPE for this job
- Safety boots
- Safety glasses
- Face shield for grinding
- Hearing protection
- Task-selected particulate respirator
- Handling gloves for isolated sharp accessories
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
Powered and hand tools 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 one draft cover hand tools and battery-powered tools?
Yes. List the tools and the material being worked. The draft includes condition checks, stable workpiece support and tool-specific controls, with electrical, battery or air isolation before adjustments.
Can gloves be used for every powered tool task?
Choose protection for the particular tool and entanglement risk. The draft includes handling gloves for isolated sharp accessories, while keeping hands and loose items clear of rotating parts during operation.
How much does a powered and hand tools 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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