Hazardous chemical handling SWMS, drafted for your job
Decanting, mixing and using site chemicals can bring incompatible products together or release vapours into nearby work areas. Tell us the products and how they are used: your SWMS is drafted around storage, handling and cleanup, 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
Hazardous chemical handling
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Identify products and work methods | Unknown chemicals and incompatible mixtures | High | Check product safety information and choose lower hazard alternatives |
| 2 | Prepare chemical store and work area | Leaks vapours and ignition sources | High | Separate incompatible products provide containment and control ignition sources |
| 3 | Transfer and mix products | Splashes and chemical reactions | High | Use controlled dispensing and the product mixing method |
| 4 | Apply chemicals to the job | Vapour and skin exposure | High | Ventilate isolate nearby trades and use product selected protection |
| 5 | Collect waste and close storage | Mixed residues and leaking containers | High | Separate waste seal containers and clean with suitable spill equipment |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your hazardous chemical handling 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 hazardous chemical handling 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
Violent reactions mixing incompatible site chemicals in shared containers
High- Separate incompatible products using their safety information and use dedicated containers and tools
- Mix only the specified products in the stated sequence and stop at unexpected heat or fumes
- 2
Acid or solvent splashes while decanting site chemical containers
High- Use closed transfer or controlled dispensing with stable containers and a catch tray
- Keep faces out of the pour path and wear product selected splash protection
- 3
Solvent vapours collecting around indoor adhesive or cleaning work
High- Choose a lower hazard product and provide ventilation that removes vapours from the work area
- Keep others outside the application area and select respiratory protection from the product assessment
- 4
Flammable chemical vapours reaching heaters sparks or charging equipment
Extreme- Separate flammable chemical handling and storage from ignition sources
- Keep containers closed and stop work if ventilation or ignition controls fail
- 5
Chemical leaks from damaged drums stacked in the site store
High- Use compatible contained storage with stable shelving and separate incompatible products
- Inspect containers before moving them and isolate damaged or leaking packages
- 6
Wrong chemical used from an unlabelled decant bottle
High- Keep products in identified compatible containers and avoid drink containers
- Set aside unidentified chemicals for assessment rather than guessing their contents
- 7
Exposure collecting mixed chemical residues after site work
High- Separate waste streams in compatible closed containers and use suitable spill collection equipment
- Follow product information for cleanup and arrange specialist help for unknown or uncontrolled spills
How the job usually runs
- 1Identify products and work methodsUnknown chemicals and incompatible mixtures → Check product safety information and choose lower hazard alternatives
- 2Prepare chemical store and work areaLeaks vapours and ignition sources → Separate incompatible products provide containment and control ignition sources
- 3Transfer and mix productsSplashes and chemical reactions → Use controlled dispensing and the product mixing method
- 4Apply chemicals to the jobVapour and skin exposure → Ventilate isolate nearby trades and use product selected protection
- 5Collect waste and close storageMixed residues and leaking containers → Separate waste seal containers and clean with suitable spill equipment
PPE for this job
- Chemical-resistant gloves selected for the products
- Splash goggles
- Face shield for splash tasks
- Chemical protective clothing
- Enclosed chemical-resistant footwear
- Respiratory protection selected for the chemicals
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
Hazardous chemical handling 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 decanting cleaning chemicals into smaller containers?
Yes. Describe each product and transfer method. The draft covers identified compatible containers, controlled dispensing, splash protection and keeping incompatible products and waste apart.
What if we do not know what is in a chemical drum?
Leave the drum in place, isolate the area and arrange identification before use or cleanup. The draft covers keeping unknown products undisturbed and getting specialist help when a spill or container cannot be handled with the planned controls.
How much does a hazardous chemical handling 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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