Roofing removal SWMS, drafted for your job
Removing roof coverings changes the footing beneath the crew as work progresses, exposing weak framing and openings above occupied rooms or access routes. Tell us the roof and site: your SWMS is drafted around the removal sequence, and you check it on site 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
Roofing removal
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where someone could fall from height
- Work that may disturb asbestos
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Assess roof materials and structure | Suspect asbestos and deteriorated framing | Extreme | Identify materials and assess structure before access |
| 2 | Install access and exclusion areas | Roof edges and people below | High | Set supported access edge protection and controlled landing areas |
| 3 | Strip coverings in sequence | Changing openings and windblown sheets | Extreme | Maintain opening protection and lower loose materials as work progresses |
| 4 | Remove battens if included | Sharp nails and exposed electrical cables | High | Confirm isolation and support retained roof structure |
| 5 | Lower sort and clear materials | Falling loads and sharp waste | High | Control lowering and segregate suspect material for specialist handling |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your roofing removal 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
- Work that may disturb asbestos
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 roofing removal 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 through roof openings left as sheets or tiles are removed
Extreme- Use supported work platforms and opening protection suited to the removal sequence
- Update barriers as the exposed roof area changes
- 2
Roof framing failure under workers and stacked stripped materials
Extreme- Have deteriorated framing assessed before the crew accesses it
- Keep removed materials off the roof and maintain temporary support where specified
- 3
Asbestos fibres released from unidentified old roofing and backing
High- Identify suspect roofing materials before cutting lifting or breaking them
- Stop and use an asbestos removalist where asbestos is present or suspected
- 4
Removed roof sheets striking people during lowering and stacking
High- Use a controlled lowering system and close the ground landing area
- Secure each load and keep people outside its path
- 5
Cuts from torn roof sheets and exposed batten nails
High- Handle sheets with suitable lifting aids and contain sharp edges
- Remove or bend exposed nails and wear cut-resistant handling protection
- 6
Wind catching loose roofing sheets during removal
High- Stop sheet handling when wind prevents controlled movement
- Restrain loose sheets and lower removed sections without leaving them unsecured
- 7
Electric shock from cables exposed beneath stripped roofing
Extreme- Identify roof services and arrange isolation before removing nearby materials
- Protect retained cables and stop if unexpected wiring is exposed
How the job usually runs
- 1Assess roof materials and structureSuspect asbestos and deteriorated framing → Identify materials and assess structure before access
- 2Install access and exclusion areasRoof edges and people below → Set supported access edge protection and controlled landing areas
- 3Strip coverings in sequenceChanging openings and windblown sheets → Maintain opening protection and lower loose materials as work progresses
- 4Remove battens if includedSharp nails and exposed electrical cables → Confirm isolation and support retained roof structure
- 5Lower sort and clear materialsFalling loads and sharp waste → Control lowering and segregate suspect material for specialist handling
PPE for this job
- Safety boots
- Safety helmet
- Cut-resistant gloves
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Respiratory protection selected for assessed roof dust
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
Roofing removal 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 removing tiles as well as metal roof sheets?
Yes. Describe the roof covering, condition and access. The draft covers material handling, changing openings and a removal sequence suited to the roof rather than assuming each covering comes off the same way.
What if old roofing turns out to contain asbestos?
Stop disturbing it and arrange an asbestos removalist. The draft includes material identification before stripping and keeping the area isolated if suspect sheets or backing are found during work.
How much does a roofing removal 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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