Roof work SWMS, drafted for your job
Existing roofs can hide brittle sheets, loose fixings and unguarded openings beneath an apparently sound walking surface. Describe the inspection or repair and the building: your SWMS is drafted around the roof access and work area, and you check it on site 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
Roof work
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where someone could fall from height
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Assess roof and work area | Fragile sheets and suspect materials | High | Identify roof construction and arrange assessment of uncertain materials |
| 2 | Prepare access and edge protection | Falls at roof entry points | Extreme | Install protected access and confirm rescue arrangements |
| 3 | Inspect the roof surface | Hidden rooflights and weak sheets | Extreme | Use supported routes and keep off nontrafficable surfaces |
| 4 | Carry out planned roof repairs | Falling tools and changing weather | High | Separate the area below and stop when conditions deteriorate |
| 5 | Lower equipment and close access | Loose debris at roof edges | High | Contain repair waste and leave openings and access secured |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your roof work 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
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 roof work 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
Falls from unprotected roof edges during leak investigations
Extreme- Use guarded access and edge protection around the planned roof work area
- Where fall equipment is needed confirm suitable anchors and a workable rescue method
- 2
Falls through brittle sheets or concealed rooflights during roof inspections
Extreme- Inspect roof construction from a protected position and identify nontrafficable areas
- Use supported walkways or another access method that avoids loading fragile surfaces
- 3
Falls transferring from access equipment onto the existing roof
High- Provide a secured access point with a protected transfer onto the roof
- Keep tools off the access route and check the landing before use
- 4
Loss of footing on wet roofing during maintenance work
High- Postpone roof access when rain wind or surface conditions prevent secure footing
- Reassess the roof surface after weather changes before returning
- 5
Loose repair tools and roof debris falling onto people below
High- Isolate the area beneath roof repairs and secure loose materials
- Use tool retention where suitable and lower debris in contained loads
- 6
Asbestos dust from disturbing suspect existing roof sheeting
High- Identify roof materials before drilling cutting or disturbing existing sheets
- Stop at suspect material and arrange assessment and specialist handling
How the job usually runs
- 1Assess roof and work areaFragile sheets and suspect materials → Identify roof construction and arrange assessment of uncertain materials
- 2Prepare access and edge protectionFalls at roof entry points → Install protected access and confirm rescue arrangements
- 3Inspect the roof surfaceHidden rooflights and weak sheets → Use supported routes and keep off nontrafficable surfaces
- 4Carry out planned roof repairsFalling tools and changing weather → Separate the area below and stop when conditions deteriorate
- 5Lower equipment and close accessLoose debris at roof edges → Contain repair waste and leave openings and access secured
PPE for this job
- Non-slip safety footwear
- Safety helmet with chin strap
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- Sun protective clothing
- Fall protection equipment selected for the access system
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
Roof work 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 finding a leak on an existing roof?
Yes. Describe the roof material, access and areas to inspect. The draft covers checking fragile surfaces, protecting roof edges and keeping people clear beneath the inspection and repair area.
What if the roof sheets might contain asbestos?
Stop before disturbing the sheets and arrange assessment. The draft includes identifying suspect roof materials and changing the work method to specialist handling where the proposed repairs would disturb them.
How much does a roof work 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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