FREE SWMS GENERATOR
SWMS generator built for Australian tradies
Build a site-specific Safe Work Method Statement in minutes. Hazards, controls, and WHS wording drafted for you, structured the way an inspector expects.
A SWMS is one of those jobs that eats an hour of your evening for a document nobody reads until an inspector asks for it. Tradie Assistant drafts the whole thing from a plain description of the work, so you can review, tweak, and get back on the tools.
The paperwork that stops you starting
Where a SWMS usually goes wrong
Generic templates miss the job
A copy-paste SWMS lists hazards that have nothing to do with the task in front of you, and skips the ones that do.
Filling it in by hand takes an hour
Writing out hazards, risk ratings, and controls for every activity is slow, and it always lands after knock-off.
You are not sure it is right
Different states word things differently, and getting the high-risk categories wrong is the bit that bites.
How the SWMS Generator works
Describe the work
Tell it the trade, the task, and the site in plain words. No jargon required.
Get a drafted SWMS
It returns activities, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures structured the way an inspector expects.
Review and send
Check it against the actual job, then copy or share it. Pro users export a clean Word or PDF to sign on site.
An example of what the SWMS Generator produces
A preview of the kind of document you get back. Yours is built from the job you describe, so the detail will differ.
Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
PCBU / Company
Latham Electrical Pty Ltd
ABN: 54 122 887 301
Dan Latham
0412 887 340
High-Risk Construction Work Categories
Scope of High-Risk Work
Isolate and replace the existing main switchboard in an occupied residential dwelling. Includes removal of the legacy ceramic fuse board, installation of a new enclosure with RCBOs, re-termination of existing sub-circuits, and testing prior to re-energising. Ladder access required to the meter box and roof space for cable runs.
Training / Licences Required
- Electrical licence (Grade A / REC) current and verified
- Construction Induction Card (White Card)
- Low voltage rescue and CPR, refreshed within 12 months
- Working at heights training for ladder and roof-space access
PPE Requirements
| PPE Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Safety glasses | AS/NZS 1337.1 |
| Insulated gloves (Class 0) | AS/NZS 2225 |
| Arc-rated long sleeve clothing | AS/NZS 4602.1 |
| Safety footwear | AS/NZS 2210.3 |
| Hard hat | AS/NZS 1801 |
Job Steps, Hazards & Control Measures
| # | Job Step | Hazards | Risk | Control Measures | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isolate supply at the main switch and prove de-energised | Contact with live conductors; Arc flash; Unexpected re-energisation | E | Isolate at the main switch and apply personal danger tag and lock; Test for dead with an approved voltage tester, prove tester before and after; Treat all conductors as live until proven otherwise; Notify occupants before isolation and confirm no life-support equipment on site | Licensed electrician |
| 2 | Remove existing ceramic fuse board and enclosure | Residual stored energy; Sharp edges; Possible asbestos backing board | H | Visually inspect backing board, stop work if asbestos is suspected and engage a licensed removalist; Discharge and verify de-energisation before removal; Cut-resistant gloves when handling the enclosure | Licensed electrician |
| 3 | Access roof space and meter box via ladder | Fall from height greater than 2 metres; Ladder instability; Ceiling penetration | H | Industrial-rated ladder secured at top and bottom, three points of contact maintained; Exclusion zone below the ladder, spotter present during access; Walk only on ceiling joists or use crawl boards | Licensed electrician |
| 4 | Install new enclosure and terminate sub-circuits to RCBOs | Incorrect termination; Manual handling; Hand tool injury | M | Terminate to AS/NZS 3000 requirements and torque to manufacturer specification; Two-person lift for the enclosure, or mechanical aid; Label all circuits before energising | Licensed electrician |
| 5 | Test, verify and re-energise | Energising a faulty installation; Shock to occupants | H | Complete insulation resistance, polarity, earth continuity and RCD trip tests; Confirm all persons clear of the switchboard before energising; Issue Certificate of Electrical Safety on completion | Licensed electrician |
Additional Controls
- Occupants briefed on outage duration and kept clear of the work area
- Work area barricaded with signage for the duration of the outage
- No work on energised equipment. If live work appears unavoidable, stop and escalate
- Housekeeping maintained, offcuts and packaging removed progressively
Emergency Procedures
- In the event of electric shock, do not touch the person. Isolate the supply at the main switch first
- Call 000 and request ambulance. Commence CPR if trained and safe to do so
- Notify the principal contractor and site supervisor immediately
- Do not disturb the scene. Preserve it for investigation and notify the regulator if the incident is notifiable
Risk Matrix
| Likelihood / Consequence | Insignificant | Minor | Moderate | Major | Catastrophic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almost Certain | M | H | H | E | E |
| Likely | M | M | H | H | E |
| Possible | L | M | M | H | E |
| Unlikely | L | L | M | M | H |
| Rare | L | L | L | M | H |
SWMS Review Triggers
- Any change to the scope of work or site conditions
- A near miss, incident or injury occurs
- New plant, equipment or personnel introduced to the task
- Control measures are found to be ineffective
Applicable Legislation & Codes
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules
- AS/NZS 4836 Safe working on low voltage electrical installations
- Safe Work Australia Code of Practice: Construction Work
Consultation
This SWMS was developed in consultation with:
| Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| _________________________ | _________________________ | _____________ |
Worker Sign-Off
By signing below, I confirm I have been briefed on and understand this SWMS and will comply with its requirements.
| Name (print) | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|
| _________________________ | _________________________ | _____________ |
| _________________________ | _________________________ | _____________ |
| _________________________ | _________________________ | _____________ |
| _________________________ | _________________________ | _____________ |
Example output from the SWMS Generator. You get your document in the tool, ready to read, copy and send. Word and PDF export is a Pro feature.
What the SWMS Generator does
Site-specific, not boilerplate
Hazards and controls are drafted for the task you describe, not a generic checklist.
High-risk work covered
Structured around the high-risk construction work categories so nothing obvious slips through.
Word and PDF export (Pro)
Export a formatted document you can sign on site. Free users get the full SWMS in the tool to copy and send.
Works from your phone
Draft a SWMS from the ute before you start, not back at the office that night.
Reuse across jobs
Start from a previous SWMS and adjust it for the next site instead of starting cold.
Australian WHS wording
Drafted with Australian WHS language and state context in mind, ready for you to confirm.
SWMS Generator questions
Is the SWMS generator free?
Is the SWMS generator free?
Yes. The SWMS Generator is on the free plan. Describe your job and you get the full SWMS generated in the tool, ready to read, copy and send. No credit card needed. Exporting it as a Word or PDF document is a Pro feature.
Is the SWMS compliant with Australian WHS regulations?
Is the SWMS compliant with Australian WHS regulations?
It is drafted with Australian WHS requirements and high-risk construction work categories in mind. It is a strong starting point, but you are responsible for reviewing it against your actual site and having a competent person confirm it before use.
Which states does it cover?
Which states does it cover?
It is built around the harmonised WHS framework used across most of Australia, with state context taken into account. Always confirm the wording against your state or territory regulator.
Do I even need a SWMS for this job?
Do I even need a SWMS for this job?
A SWMS is required before high-risk construction work starts. If your task falls under one of the high-risk categories, you need one. If you are unsure, the tool helps you think it through, but the call is yours.
Can I edit the document after it is generated?
Can I edit the document after it is generated?
Yes. Every SWMS should be checked against the actual job before use. You can copy the output and edit it anywhere, and Pro users can export an editable Word document.
How is this different from a free template?
How is this different from a free template?
A blank template still leaves you writing every hazard and control yourself. This drafts them for the specific work you describe, so you are editing rather than starting from nothing.
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Try the SWMS Generator free
Create your account, describe your job, and download your document in minutes. No credit card to start.