Shop Fitting

Yes, SWMS are mandatory for shop fitting work regardless of when work occurs. After-hours work in shopping centres actually creates additional hazards requiring specific controls including reduced lighting conditions, limited access to emergency services, coordination with security personnel, and potential fatigue from night shift work. Shopping centre management typically requires SWMS submission and approval before granting site access. Your SWMS should address building-specific requirements such as loading dock procedures, waste management, noise restrictions, and emergency evacuation routes. Many centres require attendance at site induction sessions and compliance with centre-specific safety rules in addition to your SWMS. Working outside standard hours does not reduce your obligations under WHS legislation—if anything, it heightens the need for thorough planning and documentation.

Australian WHS regulations require task-specific SWMS for high-risk construction work. A comprehensive shop fit-out involves multiple distinct activities—partitioning, ceiling installation, cabinetry, glazing, signage work—each with different hazards and controls. While you could theoretically create one extensive document covering all activities, this approach creates practical problems. Workers need clear, relevant information for their specific tasks without wading through irrelevant sections. WorkSafe inspectors expect SWMS to be sufficiently detailed for the actual work being performed. Best practice is to prepare separate SWMS for major work types such as partitioning installation, suspended ceiling work, and cabinetry installation. This ensures each document provides focused, practical guidance. You can use a master project plan that references multiple task-specific SWMS, providing overall coordination while maintaining necessary detail.

Working near public areas requires physical barriers that completely prevent public entry to work zones. Temporary fencing or solid hoarding is necessary—danger tape and witches hats are insufficient. Barriers must extend from floor to ceiling or at least 2 metres high to prevent climbing. Entry points require signage in plain English explaining the area is a construction zone with entry prohibited to unauthorised persons. If work produces overhead hazards, barriers must extend sufficiently to prevent objects falling into public areas—consider horizontal protection such as scaffold decking overhead. Coordinate with centre management regarding barrier placement that maintains required fire egress widths and accessibility paths. High-visibility clothing must be worn by all workers to distinguish them from public. Noise and dust controls are essential to minimise disruption. After-hours work should be scheduled for high-noise activities. Your SWMS must detail barrier specifications, signage requirements, and protocols for managing public interaction if anyone attempts to enter the work zone.

Workers must hold a Construction Induction Card (White Card) before commencing any construction work. Trade qualifications such as Certificate III in Shopfitting, Carpentry, or Cabinet Making demonstrate competency for the work. Workers operating elevated work platforms require high-risk work licences specific to the equipment type—WP for boom-type EWPs and WP for scissor lifts. Forklift operation requires appropriate licencing. Workers entering confined spaces must complete confined space entry training. If your work involves asbestos (likely when working in older retail premises), workers need asbestos awareness training as a minimum, with licenced asbestos removalists required for removal work. First aid officers should be present on larger projects. Employers must verify qualifications and licences before assigning work, maintain training records, and provide task-specific training on SWMS requirements. Workers must also complete any building or shopping centre specific induction requirements.

Multi-trade coordination is critical in shop fitting work where electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and shop fitters work concurrently in limited spaces. Establish daily coordination meetings, even brief toolbox talks, to discuss work sequences, identify potential conflicts, and agree on shared space use. Document these meetings with attendance records. Develop a visual schedule showing when and where each trade will work to prevent incompatible activities occurring simultaneously—for example, ceiling electricians should not work directly above shop fitters using power tools. Establish clear communication protocols, particularly important when work areas are separated by partitions. Agree on shared facilities including power distribution, rubbish disposal, and access routes. Nominate a site coordinator responsible for overall safety coordination. When work by one trade creates hazards for others—such as overhead work creating falling object risks—physical barriers and exclusion zones must be established. Your SWMS should address coordination protocols and include contact details for other trade supervisors.