Roofing and Cladding Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

People often ask, “Can I have a Safe Work Method Statement for Roofing?” “A document that covers everything?”  The answer is not really. 

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) needs to document step by step how you are going to do a particular job. Not all jobs are the same!

For starters how are you going to access the roof? Are you going to access the roof via a ladder or via a Scaffold? Maybe you are going to access the roof via a fixed roof access ladder or from a scissor lift?

The steps in accessing a roof via a ladder are very different from the steps to access a roof via a scissor lift. Not only are the steps different, but the potential hazards and the hazard control measures are very different as well.

Installing commercial roofing safely involves meticulous adherence to safety standards and proper equipment usage.

Danger Zone: Unveiling the Hazards Lurking in Roofing Work

Do not face away from the ladder when going up or down, or when working from it.
Most people who are seriously injured or killed, fall from a height of four metres or less.
Using a scissor lift is classified as Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant which is high-risk construction work.

Roofing work involves high-risk tasks related to constructing, repairing, and maintaining roofs.

Falls:

• Unprotected Edges: Roof edges without guardrails or fall protection.
• Fragile Surfaces: Skylights, holes, or vents that can give way under weight.
• Weather Conditions: Wind, rain, or slippery surfaces.
• Trip Hazards: Roof components, protrusions, or uneven surfaces.
• Steep Pitched Roofs: Risk of overbalancing or losing grip.

Electrical Hazards:

• Working near live electrical wires or installations.
• Using electric leads and power tools

Asbestos Exposure:

• Older roofs may contain asbestos.
• Disturbing asbestos during repair or demolition.

Extreme Temperatures:

• Roof work exposes workers to heat and sunlight.
• Heat stress, sunburn, and dehydration.

Manual Tasks and Heavy Lifting:

• Carrying roofing materials and equipment can result in muscle strain – musculoskeletal disorders.
• Back injury
• Repetitive strain Injury (RSI)

Hazardous Substances:

• Roofing materials (such as paint, adhesives, or coatings) may contain harmful chemicals.
• PVC glue and solvents are hazardous substance.

Under the WHS act you must prepare a SWMS for High-Risk Construction Work. 

There are 18 high risk construction work activities defined in the WHS Regulations.

When undertaking Roofing work common high-risk activities include:

  • Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
  • Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
  • Likely to involve disturbing asbestos

A SWMS provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to perform a task safely.

It ensures that everyone involved understands the necessary steps, reducing the likelihood of accidents due to confusion or misunderstanding.
 
The JSEAsy Safety Management Software builds your site-specific SWMS for your roofing job by adding templates of the steps you are going to take, in the order in which you are going to take them.
 

Watch a detailed demonstration video on how to create a new site-specific SWMS using existing templates.

Making SWMS has never been easier, just pick your job steps and the JSEAsy safety management software does all the hard work for you.

When erecting a mobile scaffold on a roof, the scaffold must be secure at he bottom and erected plumb.
This is an extract of an example Full SWMS Report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

JSEA/ SWMS Example

Below is an example of templates you may insert into your site-specific SWMS for a typical commercial roofing project.

  1. Site Orientation/ Induction
  2. Claim Work Area
  3. Acceptance of delivery to site for materials via Crane Truck
  4. Safety Check and Use of Scissor Lift
  5. Safety Check and Use of Boom Lift
  6. Install Temporary Edge Protection
  7. Erection and use of mobile scaffold
  8. Install Box Gutter with saddles straps and gutter board
  9. Installation of Rainwater Head
  10. Installing External/ Internal Downpipes
  11. Installation of UPVC Pipe
  12. Installation of Safety Mesh to roof area – From EWP
  13. Access Roof via scaffold stair access
  14. Crane Set Up
  15. Loading Roof Sheets and/or materials with Crane
  16. Installation of insulation to roof
  17. Installing Roof Sheets – To Flat Roof Area
  18. Form and Flash Roof Penetrations
  19. Installation of Flashings
  20. Cleaning up work area
JSEAsy Award winning Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Automating the process

When you insert a template using the JSEAsy EHS Software, it automatically brings with it:

  1. The main process step
  2. The sub process steps associated in undertaking the task
    1. The potential hazards associated with undertaking the task (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    2. The Risk Rating for undertaking the task (You can also change this if you want to)
    3. The Hazard Control measure (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    4. The revised risk rating after applying the control (You can also change this if you want to)
    5. Any required PPE (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    6. Any applicable licences or qualifications required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    7. Any preoperational inspections required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    8. Any applicable legislation or codes of practice (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)

Creating Site-Specific SWMS Reports with JSEAsy Safety Management Software

Creating a site-specific SWMS is easy using JSEAsy . Once created, you can print/ save a pdf of either a full or simplified SWMS report. 

Download an example of a full SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

Download an example of a simplified SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

The JSEAsy software comes preloaded with hundreds of templates (job steps) to build your site-specific SWMS with.

Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) and Plant and Equipment Risk Assessments (PERA) are also included in all versions.

The JSEAsy Premium EHS Software is your total WHS management system.

The JSEAsy safety management software is available for download and install on a PC, or hosted in the cloud

Installing cladding and soffits often combines multiple high-risk construction activities. You must prepare a SWMS before undertaking these works.
Do not stand on the top rung of a step ladder when doing gutter mitres.

JSEAsy Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Process: Click the Links below to learn more about JSEAsy Safety Management Software and the process.

View an Infographic about How JSEAsy Software works.

See the different versions of the JSEAsy software.

When you buy or Rent JSEAsy you have access to all of the latest version SWMS templates, for all trades and industries.

Download the JSEAsy latest version SWMS template register.

This is a register sorted by industry type and industry specific of all of the SWMS templates included in the latest version of the JSEAsy Safety Management Software.

Save time and Money!

Hundreds of templates included – 1 low price – Exceptional value!

When you buy or rent the JSEAsy Safety Management Software, not only to get all of the templates specifically for roofing work but you also get all of the templates for all of the other industries and trades as well. Roofers don’t just screw on roofs!

You will also benefit from many of the Ceiling, Carpentry, and other building trades templates.

Order Now!
There are over 1000 SWMS templated included in the JSEAsy Safety Management Software for a multitude of industries.

A list of all the templates included in all versions of the JSEAsy EHS software is shown below.

  • You can search by scrolling through the list of all templates.
  • You can apply filters to the list by selecting an Industry Type
  • You can further refine the list by selecting and industry type and an industry specific.
  • You can do key word searches for templates.  If you can’t find what you are looking for try:
    • Shortening the search term. For example, searching for “deliv” would show deliver and deliveries, but if you searched for deliveries, it would exclude deliver.
    • Look for a synonyms/ alternate word for what you are looking for. E.g. tube or pipe

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