Page 1 of 9

BUILDING INSPECTION SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS) PART 1

SWMS SCOPE: This SWMS covers general hazards associated with the inspections of buildings e.g. Property, insurance or other visual assessments. Included in this
SWMS is the use of ladders, manual handling, falling objects, electrical hazards and asbestos.
Business Name: ABN: SWMS Approved by: Date:
Business Address: Signature:
Business Contact: Phone #: Person/s responsible for ensuring compliance with SWMS:
Person/s responsible for reviewing the SWMS:
All Persons involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences. INSPECTORS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Daily Tool Box Talks will be undertaken to identify, control and communicate additional site hazards. Ÿ Fit condition for work i.e. no signs of fatigue,
alcohol or drugs
Work must cease immediately if incident or near miss occurs. SWMS must be amended in consultation with relevant persons. Ÿ Attend all site inductions / briefings
Ÿ Comply with all site requirements e.g. PPE,
Amendments must be approved by ______________ and communicated to all affected inspectors before work resumes. TMP etc.
Ÿ Only carry out work related to contract
SWMS must be made available for inspection or review as required by OHS legislation.
Ÿ Inspect completed work
Record of SWMS must be kept as required by OHS legislation (until job is complete or for 2 years if involved in a notifiable incident). Ÿ Report safety, environmental and quality
matters to the Supervisor.

PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR DETAILS Principal Contractor (PC): Date SWMS provided to PC:
Project Name: Project Address:
Project Manager (PM): PM ignature: CONTACT PH. #:
LIKELIHOOD INSIGNIFICANT MINOR MODERATE AJOR CATASTROPHIC HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS MOST
SCORE ACTION EFFECTIVE
ALMOST 3 3 4 4 4
CERTAIN HIGH HIGH ACUTE ACUTE ACUTE
LIKELY 2 3 3 4 4 4A DO NOT
MODERATE HIGH HIGH ACUTE ACUTE ACUTE PROCEED.
SAMPLE
POSSIBLE 1 2 3 4 4 3H Review before
LOW MODERATE HIGH ACUTE ACUTE HIGH commencing
work.
UNLIKELY 1 1 2 3 4 2M Maintain control
LOW LOW MODERATE HIGH ACUTE MODERATE measures.
LEAST
RARE 1 1 2 3 3 1L Record and
LOW LOW MODERATE HIGH HIGH LOW monitor. EFFECTIVE
DOCUMENT #: VERSION #: 1 AUTHORISED BY: REVIEW #: ISSUE DATE: REVISION DATE:

© SafetyCulture All Rights Reserved

 Page 2 of 9

BUILDING INSPECTION SWMS PART 2

THIS WORK ACTIVITY INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING “HIGH RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK” PLANNING & PREPARATION
☐ Demolition ☐ Tilt up or pre-cast concrete ☐ In or near water or other liquid that involves risk of drowning Liaise with Principal Contractor to establish that
on-site systems and procedures are in place:
☐ Asbestos ☐ Artificial extremes of temperature ☐ In an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere § Health and Safety Rules
§ Induction for all inspectors
þ Pressurised gas distribution mains or piping chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines energised electrical installations / services § Supervisory arrangements
§ Communication
☐ Structures or buildings involving structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse
§ Injury reporting
☐ Involves a risk of a person falling more than 2m, including work on telecommunications towers § Emergency management
§ Hazard reporting
☐ Working at depths greater than 1.5 Metres, including tunnels or mines ☐ Confined Spaces ☐ Mobile Plant § PPE
§ Exclusion zones
☐ Work carried out adjacent to a road, railway or shipping lane, traffic corridor ☐ Using explosives ☐ Diving work § Risk assessments, SWMS and JSA’s
FOOT HEARING HIGH HEAD YE FACE HAND PROTECTIVE BREATHING SUN FALL Rings, watches,
PROTECTION PROTECTION VISIBILITY PROTECTION PROTECTION PROTECTION ROTECTION C OTHING PROTECTION PROTECTION ARREST jewellery that may
become entangled
in plants must not
be worn. Long and
loose hair must be
tied back.
☐
þ ☐ þ þ þ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
AS 1319-1994 SAFETY SIGNS FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT REPRODUCED WITH PER ISSION FROM SAI GLOBAL UNDER LICENCE 1210-C062. STANDARDS MAY BE PURCHASED AT HTTP://WWW.SAIGLOBAL.COM

JOB STEP POTENTIAL IR CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK RR RESPONSIBLE

HAZARD/S PERSON
INHERENT RISK-R TING (IR) RESIDUAL RISK-RATING (RR)
1. Planning & Personal injury, 3H Ÿ Consultation in relation to hazards and risks. Ensure: 2M Inspector
preparation property damage o Consult with the person you are carrying out the work for on the potential hazards and
&/or environmental risks associated with the task
incident. o If represented by an elected Health and Safety Representative (HSR), they must be
included in any consultation
o Any other persons on site who are affected by the same matter are consulted and co-
operative arrangements are made
o SAMPLEDocumentconsultationandactionitems

Ÿ Information must be provided to client to advise them of the following:

o Work will not proceed if prohibited items are observed (e.g. firearms, illegal
drugs/paraphernalia etc.)
o Cash and any valuables must be removed from easily visible / accessible areas
o Animals must be secured / removed.

DOCUMENT #: VERSION #: 1 AUTHORISED BY: REVIEW #: ISSUE DATE: REVISION DATE:

© SafetyCulture All Rights Reserved
 Page 4 of 9

JOB STEP POTENTIAL IR CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK RR RESPONSIBLE

HAZARD/S PERSON
INHERENT RISK-RATING (IR) RESIDUAL RISK-RATING (RR)
Ÿ Metal or wire bound ladders must never be used close to energised power lines; non-
metallic ladders must be used instead.
Hazardous manual 3H Ÿ Assess suitable travel pathway to enter/exit the building 2M
tasks - Ÿ Ensure sufficient lighting
musculoskeletal Ÿ Area, including travel path, is cleared.
disorder (MSD)
Adverse 3H Ÿ Appropriate protective Ÿ Cold: 2M
environmental clothing o Encourage inspectors to have adequate warm drinks
conditions Ÿ Wear hand protection o Access to warm shelter during breaks
Ÿ Wear non-slip footwear Ÿ Heat:
(slippery surfaces) o Sun brim on hard hat
Ÿ Adequate breaks o Safety glasses - UV Rated
Ÿ Check weather conditions o Use 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin areas
o Adequate drinking water.
3. Inspection Slips, trips & falls 3H Ÿ Ensure footwear is suitable. Snug-fitting shoes/boots with flat, nonslip soles, no loose 2M Inspector
soles, long laces, soles that are oily, or caked with mud etc.
Ÿ Follow designated walkways
Ÿ Do not climb or jump over loose material
Ÿ Do not walk near top edge of drop-offs; maintain safe distance from edge
Ÿ Use caution walking over spoil to avoid slips and trips
Ÿ Adhere to warnings signs for slippery surfaces etc.
Ÿ Be aware of slip, trip and fall hazards such as:
o urfaces that are:
§ Fragile or brittle § Wet, polished or glazed
§ urface changes § Work surface slopes e.g. exceeding 7 degrees
o Where levels change from one height to another
o Structures - the stability of temporary or permanent structures
o Crowded or cluttered areas
o Access and egress to/from areas
o Holes and openings
o Hand grip - places where handgrip may be lost
o Weather conditions - rain, wind, fog, dew.

DOCUMENT #: VERSION #: 1 AUTHORISED BY: REVIEW #: ISSUE DATE: REVISION DATE:

© SafetyCulture All Rights Reserved
 Page 7 of 9

JOB STEP POTENTIAL IR CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK RR RESPONSIBLE

HAZARD/S PERSON
INHERENT RISK-RATING (IR) RESIDUAL RISK-RATING (RR)
Contact with 3H ŸDetermine presence of asbestos/ACM: 2M
asbestos o Obtain as much information as possible on the location, type and condition of ACM
o If available, obtain a copy of the asbestos register for the site
o If the premises are older, try to determine if roof had ever been asbestos in the past
(roof space may still contain hazardous fibres)
o Do not disturb asbestos.
Hazardous manual 3H ŸCarrying and setting ladders or other items: 2M
tasks - MSD o Bend your knees; keep your back straight
o Keep the load close to the body
o Carry the ladder with the centre balanced and resting on your shoulder with your arm
through the ladder
o Be sure you can see past the ladder
o When putting down a load, take care and reverse the lifting procedures.
Aggression and/or 3H ŸWhen entering premises, take note of exit routes. Ensure safe means to exit is maintained 2M
violence ŸRemain respectful of client’s property and requests
ŸIf feeling at risk of violence:
o Leave premises immediately if possible
o Drive away from premises (do not continue to drive if distressed)
o When safe, notify supervisor.
Note: If unable to leave, call emergency numbers (not supervisor), enable duress alarm
(if applicable).
4. On Slips, trips, falls 3H ŸClean up tools and any waste ensuring the site is left in clean and tidy condition. 2M Inspector
completion
Working alone 3H ŸWhen leaving, notify supervisor from your vehicle, not from within client’s premises. 2M
REVIEW NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
NAME:
INITIAL:
DATE:

DOCUMENT #: VERSION #: 1 AUTHORISED BY: REVIEW #: ISSUE DATE: REVISION DATE:

© SafetyCulture All Rights Reserved
 Page 9 of 9

BUILDING INSPECTION SWMS PART 4

This SWMS has been developed in consultation and cooperation with employee/inspectors and relevant Employer/Persons Conducting Business or Undertaking (PCBU). I have read
the above SWMS and I understand its contents. I confirm that I have the skills and training, including relevant certification to conduct the task as described. I agree to comply with safety
requirements within this SWMS including risk control measures, safe work instructions and PPE described.
OVERALL RISK RATING AFTER CONTROLS o 1 LOW þ 2 MODERATE o 3 HIGH o 4 ACUTE
INSPECTORS’ NAME JOB ROLE / POSITION LICENCES, COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS (add as applicable) DATE SIGNATURE
TYPE / DESCRIPTION CLASS NUMBER
Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

Construction Card

DOCUMENT #: VERSION #: 1 AUTHORISED BY: REVIEW #: ISSUE DATE: REVISION DATE:

© SafetyCulture All Rights Reserved