SWMS: what it is and when you need one

Where the states' words differ

• Someone could fall more than 2 metres
  • NSW, Vic, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT: “involves a risk of a person falling more than 2m” (s291(a))
  • NT: “if it is not residential construction work – involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 m” (r291(1)(a))
• On a house job, someone could fall more than 3 metres
  • NT: “if it is residential construction work – involves a risk of a person falling more than 3 m” (r291(1)(ab))
• Work that disturbs, or may disturb, asbestos
  • NSW, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT, NT: “involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos” (s291(d))
  • Vic: “involving the removal or likely disturbance of asbestos” (r322(d))
• Demolition
  • NSW, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT, NT: “involves demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure” (s291(c))
  • Vic: “involving demolition” (r322(c))
• A trench or shaft deeper than 1.5 metres
  • NSW, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT, NT: “a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5m” (s291(g)(i))
  • Vic: “involving a trench or shaft if the excavated depth is more than 1·5 metres” (r322(g))
• Work in or near a confined space
  • NSW, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT, NT: “is carried out in or near a confined space” (s291(f))
  • Vic: “involving a confined space” (r322(f))
• On or next to a road, railway or other traffic route in use
  • NSW, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, NT: “is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians” (s291(n))
  • Vic: “on or adjacent to roadways or railways used by road or rail traffic” (r322(o))
  • ACT: “is carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway (including light rail), shipping lane or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians” (s291(1)(n))
• Structural alterations or repairs that need temporary support
  • NSW, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT, NT: “involves structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse” (s291(e))
  • Vic: “involving structural alterations that require temporary support to prevent collapse” (r322(e))
• In or near water or liquid with a risk of drowning
  • NSW, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT, NT: “is carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning” (s291(q))
  • Vic: “in, over or adjacent to water or other liquids where there is a risk of drowning” (r322(r))
• Cutting, grinding or drilling silica material with a power tool
  • ACT: “involves processing crystalline silica material using a power tool or another mechanical method” (s291(1)(s))