At NECA, we believe that success on worksites begins with a solid foundation. That’s why our SWMS template is designed to provide tailored solutions and reduce stress, ensuring that it meets your specific needs.

Why choose different packages?
The issue with SWMS implementation is the lack of unity among parties involved. While regulations provide consistency, some principal contractors impose their own strict standards, causing conflicts for sub-contractors. Our packages address this problem by offering options that cater to different requirements, ensuring a smoother process for everyone involved.

Streamlining the SWMS Process: Finding the Right Balance
Are you struggling to meet the requirements for SWMS documents? It’s not uncommon for these documents to be requested ahead of time and without actually seeing the worksite. This often results in generic documents that may not fully address all necessary safety measures.

To complicate matters further, different principal contractors and consultants have varying opinions on the level of detail needed in these documents. Some believe in providing ample information to cover a broad range of safety requirements, while others argue that simplicity is key and focus only on high-risk construction work, following the Safe Work Australia’s SWMS template.
Unfortunately, this divergence of views can lead to sub-contractors having their SWMS rejected based on the principal contractor’s personal preferences. Even if both versions are compliant, the principal contractor may insist on their own submission format. And if you have multiple principal contractors, you may need to be flexible and adapt to everyone’s expectations.

This situation calls for two different solutions: introducing style A (green) and style B (pink). Both style A and B SWMS have the same steps and safety controls it is just the format that is different. Style A offers the essentials, closely aligning with Safe Work Australia’s template. However, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive approach to workplace safety protocols, style B is the way to go. It includes additional elements and even a risk matrix, making it easier to satisfy the principal contractors’ checklists.

Tailored flexibility for varying preferences
Different principal contractors and consultants often also have different opinions on what should be included in a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). Some prefer to focus solely on high-risk construction work, like working at heights, while others want to include specific tasks, such as solar installation work. At NECA, we recognise this difference and have incorporated flexibility into our SWMS templates.

Primary SWMS documents are designed to cover high-risk construction activities, such as working at heights or electrical work. They provide specific information on the important stuff like what is going to result in a fatality. However, they may not address specific tasks or scenarios that could occur on the worksite in detail.

To address this, we also offer Supplementary SWMS documents. These provide more detailed information on specific tasks or scenarios. They break down the Primary SWMS into separate tasks, allowing users to access highly specific information for each task performed on the worksite. Furthermore, Supplementary SWMS documents may also cover non-high-risk construction work, such as general trade work. These documents prioritise task-based activities rather than solely focusing on risk management strategies.

With NECA SWMS templates, you can have the flexibility to choose between risk-based, task-based approaches or style A (green) and style B (pink), ensuring that your SWMS suits your specific needs.

Submit Your SWMS Pack Successfully with These Tips
Follow these simple tips to ensure a smooth and effective submission process:
1. Choose the right style (green or pink) for your SWMS pack.
2. Choose the right type of SWMS (Primary or Supplementary) for your pack.
3. Include only the necessary and relevant SWMS documents.
4. In addition to SWMS use the JSA/SWMS coversheet for more success with your submission
5. Fill out all fields in each document completely. (Note if you select style B, please ensure you fill out the blank tables).
6. Double-check and make any necessary amendments to align your SWMS content with the Scope of Works
7. Combine all documents into a single PDF file, with the cover sheet on top.
8. Send the complete pack via email to your client.

How to Induct Workers into the SWMS and Sign Off on the SWMS using the Sign Off Sheet
It is the responsibility of the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to ensure that workers have received induction and consultation of the Generic SWMS before undertaking any construction work, and a site induction before commencing work on a specific site. This is a critical step in ensuring that workers understand their responsibilities and the procedures they need to follow to maintain safety.

To induct workers into the SWMS, you must provide them with a copy of the relevant Generic SWMS and explain the processes included in the document. You must also provide them with access to the procedures and ensure they have sighted all the relevant policies and procedures, tools, and equipment needed for the job.

Once the worker is inducted and trained on the SWMS procedures, they must sign off on the SWMS using the provided Sign Off Sheet. The Sign Off Sheet serves as proof that the worker has been trained and understands their responsibilities according to the SWMS.

How to Use the Sign Off Sheet:
1. The worker will receive their copy of the SWMS and the Sign Off Sheet.
2. The worker must read the SWMS and understand their responsibilities according to the document.
3. After reading the SWMS, the worker must sign the Sign Off Sheet to acknowledge their understanding of their responsibilities as outlined in the SWMS.
4. The worker must retain their copy of the SWMS, and the PCBU must retain a copy of the signed Sign Off Sheet.

Responsibility and Disclaimer:
It is the PCBU’s responsibility to ensure that all workers are inducted and trained on the SWMS before commencing work, and to regularly review and update the SWMS to reflect changes in procedures or risk control measures.

NECA provides the SWMS as a general guide only, and amendments may need to be made to suit the principal contractor or builder’s specific requirements. NECA does not guarantee that the supplied Generic SWMS will pass all principal contractor or builder SWMS review processes.

The National Electrical and Communications Association, its employees, officers, and agents do not accept any liability for the results of any action taken or omission made in reliance upon, based on, or in connection with this SWMS. To the extent legally possible, the National Electrical and Communications Association, its employees, officers, and agents refuse all liability arising by any breach of any duty in tort (including negligent misstatement) or as a result of any errors or omissions contained in this document or use of this document.