Safe Work Method Statement Disclaimer: Use of Master Builders Generic Safe Work Method Statements The Master Builders Association of Victoria expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person in respect of anything, and of consequence of anything done or omitted to be done by any or such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially on this generic safe work method statement. Rules for the use of Master Builders generic SWMS 1. This generic SWMS is provided as a sample. It is not to be used by a builder or subcontractor for the purpose of managing safety on their projects. It can be used as a template to enable builders and subcontractors to produce their own SWMS. Master Builders have carbon copy pads available for sale to enable builders/subcontractors to produce their own SWMS. 2. Employers intending to use this SWMS as a template for their own SWMS must ensure they consult with their employees, including their Health and Safety Representatives, prior to its introduction. 3. Builders and subcontractors must ensure that their SWMS is relevant to the project at hand. Generic SWMS should not be used unless precautions have been taken to ensure that the document adequately addresses the hazards and risks relevant to each particular project. 4. Builders and subcontractors intending to use this sample SWMS as a template for their own generic SWMS, without making any changes to the detail, must ensure that they adhere to and implement all of the relevant risk controls. 5. The range of generic SWMS provided by Master Builders are not sufficiently broad enough to cover all hazards or risks encountered by builders and subcontractors. It does not cover the full list of requirements for which SWMS are specifically required under the OHS Construction Regulations. It is important that the builder or subcontractor undertake their own hazard identification and risk control process relevant for each particular task. It is highly recommended that persons who are responsible for preparing and reviewing SWMS undertake training so as to understand the process of identifying and controlling risks in the workplace. Remember : Each Safe Work Method Statement should be site specific. Include all workers in the development of the Safe Work Method Statement. All workers should sign off to verify that they understand all the requirements of this Safe Work Method Statement.
General comments on cutting hardwood or MDF Under Victorian OHS regulations wood dust is now classified as a hazardous substance. With respect to MDF the hardwood dust component of MDF (approx. 20%) is a class 1 carcinogen and needs to be treated with caution. The formaldehyde in the bonding glue of MDF is also listed as a class 1 carcinogen, although the quantities present will be extremely low. Reported health effects associated with exposure to dust from wood products include: skin disorders such as allergic dermatitis. Certain timbers are known to produce adverse health effects and sensitisation asthma and impairment of lung function irritation of the nose, rhinitis (runny nose), violent sneezing, blocked nose and nose bleeds throat irritation, and sore and watering eyes. Nasal cancers have also been reported in people who have worked in very dusty wood-working environments with little or no dust control in place. The nature of wood-working is such that total elimination of wood dust from the work environment is not usually practicable. However it is possible to control the dust that is created and prevent exposure to workers in the vicinity. The Safe Work Method Statement for the various processes for cutting MDF and hardwoods should identify the hazards and discuss control measures. The workers should be inducted into the SWMS (i.e. trained as to the nature of the hazards and how they are controlled). Also note that the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for MDF lists precautions to be taken when generating dust from these products. Thus the disposal of dust from extraction equipment and cleaning of filters needs to be addressed as also maintaining the cutting and extraction equipment in good working condition should be addressed.
NOTE : Work must be performed in accordance with this SWMS. This SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection until the high risk construction work to which this SWMS relates is completed. If the SWMS is revised, all versions should be kept. If a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the high risk construction work in this SWMS, the SWMS must be kept for at least 2 years from the date of the notifiable incident. (PCBU Name, ABN, Office Address and Phone) Principal Contractor (PC) (Name, ABN, Office Address) Works Manager: Contact phone: Date SWMS provided to PC: Work activity: Cutting hardwood or MDF Workplace location: High risk construction work involves: Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant Work on or near energised electrical installations or services Temporary load-bearing support for structural alterations or repairs Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines Work in areas with artificial extremes of temperature Tilt-up or precast concrete elements Use of explosives Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping Likely to involve disturbing asbestos Work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians Work in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning Work in or near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5 m or a tunnel Work in or near a confined space Diving work Demolition of load-bearing structure Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere Work on a telecommunication tower Have workers been consulted about the SWMS? Note: Consultation with Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) should be undertaken where there is a HSR at a workplace YES NO Person/s responsible for ensuring compliance with SWMS: Date SWMS received: What measures are in place to ensure compliance with the SWMS? Person responsible for reviewing SWMS control measures: Date SWMS received by reviewer: How will the SWMS control measures be reviewed? Review date: Reviewer s signature:
What are the tasks involved? List the work tasks in a logical order. Handling MDF sheets Cutting hardwood or MDF Cutting hardwood or MDF What are the hazards and risks? Identify the hazards and risks that may cause harm to workers or the public. Back injury from poor manual handling of MDF sheets. What are the control measures? Describe what will be done to control the risk. What will you do to make the activity as safe as possible? Team lifting when required. Training in manual handling and use of mechanical aids. Training in the use of PPE equipment such as safety glasses or respirators. Get materials factory-cut to the correct sizes. For long term cutting set up a dedicated cutting room with attention paid to dust extraction systems. Have a warning DO NOT ENTER sign posted at the cutting room door and induct workers not to enter that room without a permit and then only with the correct PPE i.e. respirator, eye and hearing protection. Use a process or method of work that reduces the generation of dust to a minimum e.g. using a plane instead of a sander to shape the wood. Local exhaust ventilation should be provided at areas of cutting to remove airborne dust. General dilution ventilation should be provided as necessary to keep airborne dust below the applicable exposure limits and guidelines. The requirement for ventilation systems should be evaluated by a professional industrial hygienist, while the design of specific ventilation systems should be conducted by a professional engineer. Maintain plant and equipment in good condition; e.g. inspect dust extraction systems regularly to ensure they are working efficiently and check for holes and leakages in duct work. The need for ventilation systems should be evaluated by a professional industrial hygienist, while the design of specific ventilation systems should be conducted by a professional engineer. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Long sleeved shirts and trousers are recommended to prevent skin irritation. Wash work clothes regularly and separately from other clothes. Wear comfortable work gloves (AS2161 or NZS5812) to avoid hand cuts when handling panels.
Cutting hardwood or MDF Burns from ignition of dust. Avoid breathing dust. Wear a class P1 or P2 replaceable filter or disposable half face-piece respirator when machining products. Respirators should comply with AS/NZS 1716 and be selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715. For eye protection wear industrial safety glasses or non fogging goggles (AS/NZS 1336) when machining products. Avoid a build-up of dust and keep storage and work areas well ventilated. Avoid sparks and sources of ignition in all electrical equipment. Hand power tools should be fitted with dust bags and used in wellventilated areas. Training in hazardous substances should be carried out with all employees. Ensure fire suppression equipment is available in the cutting area. Ensure a first aider is present on site. Name of Worker/s Worker signature/s Date SWMS received by workers PLEASE NOTE: It may be necessary to use more than one page to complete an adequate safe work method statement (SWMS).