Safe work Method Statement

For Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) approved companies or builders who require a high level of Safe Work Method
Statements the attached SWMS is a guide only. As some FSC approved companies may require the use of their own SWMS
temple which is structured at a higher level to what is provided on this SWMS.
Use of Master Builders Generic Safe Work Method Statements
Disclaimer:

Rules for the use of Master Builders generic SWMS

1. This generic SWMS is provided as a sample only. 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.
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. And the correct risk rating and residual risk rating are inserted.
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 and residual risk rating.
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.

Safe Work Method Statement

Contractor Company Name:

Company Address:

ABN:

Company Contact:

Work Activity: : Concrete Pumping with Concrete Placing

Project:

Boom

SWMS No ____ Page 1 of

Date:

Project Address:

SWMS developed by:

SWMS Reviewed by:

Plant required for the task:

Hazardous substances:
Specific training required:
State of knowledge
documentation (safety
legislation; codes of practice;
standards, etc):

Specific PPE:
OHS Act 2004 OHS Regulations 2007
Code of Practice for Manual Handling
AS/NZS3012:2010 Electrical Installations on Construction &
Demo Sites
AS/NZS 1892.5 -2000 Portable Ladders Selection use

Emergency planning:

All personal protective equipment and clothing will comply with

relevant Australian standards
As per Principal Contractors emergency requirements. This
task does not require specific emergency planning.

Person in control of inducting workers into this SWMS:

Engineering Details / Certificates / WorkSafe Approvals:

Training

Construction Induction (CI)

Site specific induction training
SWMS induction to the site
MSDS induction to the site

Certificates

Approvals

Permits

Consequence

Likelihood / Probability

Almost certain

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Rare

Catastrophe

Extreme

Extreme

High

High

Medium

Major

Extreme

High

High

Medium

Low

Moderate

High

High

Medium

Medium

Low

Significant

High

Medium

Medium

Low

Low

Negligible

Medium

Low

Low

Low

Low

Consequence

Risk Matrix
The higher the consequence and the more the likelihood/probability of it occurring, the greater the urgency
required to attend to the removal or minimisation of that hazard.
The first control strategy to be applied is to eliminate risks by :
1.

Eliminating the use of the hazardous activity, plant, tool or substance if practicable. If this is not practicable, risk
should be reduced as far as practicable by one or a combination of:

2.

Substitution by less hazardous activity, plant, tool or substance

3.

Isolation of the activity, plant, tool or substance to prevent or reduce exposure to the hazard

4.

Engineering controls. eg exhaust ventilation for dusts or vapours.

5.

When these measures have been applied to the highest extent practicable, any remaining risk should be reduced by

Likelihood

Catastrophe

Almost certain

Severe health effects leading to multiple fatalities.

Cessation of activities

The event will occur on a regular basis

Major

Likely

Death/permanent disability. Major damage requiring

corrective action

Not unusual. Has occurred

several times before

Moderate

Possible

Medical treatment for moderate injury.

Moderate disruption

Unusual but possible. Might

occur once in your contract

Negligible

Rare

No treatment. Low level, short term injury. Negligible

disruption.

Heard of something like the

event occurring elsewhere

Significant

Unlikely

First aid treatment, minor injury. Minor disruption of

operations.

The event does occur somewhere from

time to time

an administrative control. This means adoption of procedures or instructions that minimise exposure to the hazard.
Where an administrative control is used it should be documented in a SWMS.
6.

When risk has been reduced as far as practicable by one or a combination of these measures, any remaining risk may be controlled using PPE. Note that where a National Construction Standard
mandated high risk work activity occurs a specific SWMS must be developed and followed.

Item

Procedure Tasks

Hazards and Risks

List the tasks required to perform the activity

in the sequence they are carried out.

What can harm you - Hazards?

What can happen - Risks?

General Site Planning

Inadequate training

Incidents as a result of poor

planning

Exposure to UV

Unsuitable pump location

(vehicle instability,
electrocution, injury to
members of the public)

Risk
Rating

Risk control measures

List the control measures required to eliminate or
reduce the risk of injury and detail how the control
measures will be put in place. (Use the Hierarchy of
Control as far as reasonably practicable) Refer to the
Project Risk register as required.

Each worker must have site induction,

Construction Induction card, and High
Risk Work Licence as appropriate to
role.
Plan the concrete pour and schedule
deliveries to avoid the need for two
trucks to discharge concrete
simultaneously.
Pumping contractor to provide all
required transport authority permits
together with current vehicle
registration, detailed maintenance and
inspection records, current maintenance
logbook(s). Ensure enough workers are
available for the task.
All personnel to be supplied with
personal protective equipment adequate
for providing UV protection.

Shirts with collar (long sleeve or

sleeves to elbow).

Trousers or knee length shorts.

Sunglasses UV rated.

Hard hats with brim extension.

Sunscreen minimum 30+.

Select the most suitable location for the
pump set-up. Considerations should
include an accessible and reasonably
level area within the operating capacity
of the equipment with a firm base able
to support the fully loaded working
pump and any delivery trucks, clearance
from obstructions and excavations,
outside of the NO-GO-ZONE
restrictions of operating near overhead

Residual
Risk
Rating
(When
required)

Who is responsible?
Write the name of the
person responsible
(supervisor or above) to
implement the control
measures identified.

Prepare work area

Boom set up

Other trades working in

vicinity being struck by plant
or falling objects

powerlines, the pumps operational

safety zone, and if the pump unit or
delivery area is set up in the street:

observe all local by-laws

observe any Vic Roads

requirements for traffic
management

ensure the general public is

provided with safe and segregated
access away from the pumping
operation.

Ensure barricading and signage is

available on site, to be erected around
the concrete truck and pump zone.
Isolate the concrete truck and pump
zone with fencing or other barriers.
Display visible signs prohibiting
unauthorised access to the truck and
pump zone. Organise the direction of
truck movement to minimise
restrictions on the drivers' vision. Use
a safety observer to control truck
movement. Clearly identify designated
concrete truck delivery and turning
areas.

Collapse of work area

Builder to ensure the area for pump

setup is firm and level and checked for
load capacity. Builder to advise of any
areas that have been excavated and
backfilled.

Live electrical lines in

working area

Identify all electrical lines in work area

above and below ground. Confirm
electrical current is disconnected
before commencing work.

Truck tipping over

Ensure there is an adequate supply of

packing for stabiliser base plates.
Ensure the boom placement system is
level or at no greater angle than
specified by the manufacturer.
Outriggers must be fully extended,

lowered and locked in position

BEFORE the boom is erected.
(Note: If the outriggers are not capable of
being fully extended, the safe
operating radius is reduced. The
radius should be recorded.)
Delivery Pipeline Set Up

Personnel being struck by

equipment failure (Pipes
bursting, joints failing, pipes
moving)

The pipeline should be installed in

accordance with AS2550.15 Cranes Safe Use - Concrete Pumps. Inspect
all metal pipes and pipeline
components to ensure that they are
compatible and comply with the pump
manufacturers specifications for
minimum pressure rating and
maximum diameter.

Check all individual components for

wear and possible damage.
Ensure that the pipeline can withstand
the rated maximum concrete pressure
of all pumps during normal operations.
(Example If a pump breaks down.)
Check that unnecessary bends have
been avoided. Ensure each section of
pipeline is adequately supported.
Ensure each section is secured to the
building avoiding extra load on the
pipe clamps.
Ensure each vertical bend is fixed to
stop movement of the bend.
Ensure that cranes, hoist towers,
scaffolding or formwork have not been
used to secure the pipeline unless
designed for this purpose.

Prestart daily checks

Injury through equipment

failure

Concrete delivery

Injury through vehicle strike

Pumping

Personnel being struck by

hoses or concrete.

Complete Mobile Plant Pre Site Start

check Concrete Boom Pump
Inspect pumping equipment to ensure
it is in a mechanically sound condition.
Each piece of equipment must have
permanently fitted legible identification
as well as safety signs and stickers
that are legible.
Ensure the safety grille on the
receiving hopper is in place and in
good condition.
Pipe clamps to be inspected by a
competent person for signs of wear or
fatigue. Immediately replace and
clamps if deformed or damaged.
Check to ensure that all locking pins
for quick release pipe clamps (if used)
are in place.
Inspect end-hoses for excessive wear
or damage.
Ensure safety chains, slings or other
retaining devices are fitted.
Ensure concrete trucks have
operational reversing beepers.
Concrete trucks to stop immediately if
safety observer/traffic controller is
unsighted and to remain well clear of
the hopper until signalled to reverse by
the observer.
Safety observers must NOT position
themselves between the hopper and
reversing trucks. If observer is
unavailable only one truck will be
unloaded at a time.
Ensure that no people, other than
those workers directly involved in the
concrete pumping operation, are in the
operational safety zone (including
concrete delivery drivers).
Ensure no one stands on the hopper
grille or beneath a raised boom.

Truck tipping over.

Electrocution.

Ensure the end hose is fitted with a

suitable stop or end cap if it is being
manoeuvred over people.
Ensure the hopper grill is in the closed
position.
Check that the pump flow rates match
discharge rates of concrete delivery
trucks.
Pump and boom operator must be in
constant communication with the hose
hand and must follow the directions
given by the hose-hand.
All workers to be familiar with the
equipments emergency shut-down
procedures.
Ensure frequently inspect the outrigger
pads integrity and look for possible
loss of stability.
The concrete placing boom should not
be:
raised or left extended when winds
exceed the maximum safe wind
speed for operation, specified by
the manufacturer
raised or left extended during an
electrical or thunderstorm
used as a crane
used to pump concrete with the
rams in tension, unless designed
for this purpose
raised, lowered or moved when
there is insufficient light to do so
safely.
In addition, any truck-mounted placing
boom should:
have the earth safety chain
deployed before operation
not be raised from the travel
position if under powerlines, unless
complying with the No Go Zone
rules

End of shift Clean work

equipment

Personal injury:

Struck by hose

Struck by cleaning
device

Struck by residual
concrete being expelled
under pressure

Caught by entanglement

Cleaning out of residual concrete from

concrete pumping equipment should
only be carried out by trained workers
in accordance with the manufacturers
procedures or the detailed written
instructions developed by a competent
person. When concrete pumping
equipment is being cleaned out,
ensure another person is in the
immediate vicinity to provide help in an
emergency.

Cleaning the pipeline:

Where possible water cleaning
should be used in preference to
compressed air.
Pipeline to be secured or removed
to prevent whipping.
A safety cage to be fitted to catch
the cleaning device.
All workers to be kept clear.
Pipeline to be depressurised before
any dismantling is attempted.

Cleaning the pump:

mechanically lock moving parts in
position
shut down the equipment
disengage the hydraulic pumps
exhaust accumulated hydraulic or
air pressure and allow time for the
pressure to be fully released from
all systems
ensure the pump is not under
pressure before it is dismantled
do not allow any part of the
workers body to be placed into the
pump while cleaning.

Cleaning the hopper:

No part of a persons body to be
placed in the hopper.

 No person to stand on the hopper.

Hopper to be shut down and air
pressure released before cleaning
commences.

Vehicle damage
Traffic accident

Ensure boom is folded in the travel

position before raising the outriggers.
Ensure all loose components are
correctly stowed or restrained.
Ensure all PTOs (power take offs) are
disengaged and the controls are in the
OFF position.
Visually inspect the vehicle to confirm
everything is secured.

I have read and understood and will follow the direction within the content of this SWMS.
I have been consulted in the content of this SWMS.
I agree to review of the SWMS and will follow its direction

Workers name

Review/Monitoring
Name:
Date:
Sign:

Qualifications (Licences, Tickets, etc)

Signature

Date