Is a SWMS required for all scaffolding work?

Yes. Scaffolding work almost always involves a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres, which is high-risk construction work under WHS Regulations s.291(a). A SWMS must be prepared before work begins. (A scaffolding high-risk work licence is a separate requirement.)

Do I need a scaffolding licence and a SWMS?

Yes, both are required. A high-risk work licence for scaffolding (SB, SI, or SA class) is required under WHS Regulations, and a separate SWMS must document the specific hazards and controls for each scaffolding job.

What scaffold types are covered?

Our documents cover tube and coupler scaffolding, modular/prefabricated scaffolding, mobile scaffolding, suspended scaffolding, and cantilever scaffolding — each with type-specific hazard controls.

Do I need a SWMS for scaffolding work in Victoria?

Yes, where the scaffolding work is high risk construction work. Victoria is not part of the national WHS scheme, but it still requires a SWMS-equivalent for high risk construction work under the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic), made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). The content requirements are substantively equivalent to the rest of Australia, but your documents must cite the Victorian OHS Regulations 2017 rather than the model WHS Regulations.

Does erecting scaffold near overhead power lines need extra controls in the SWMS?

Yes. Working near energised electrical installations is high risk construction work under WHS Regulations s.291(k), so a scaffolding SWMS must identify the overhead power line hazard and set out controls such as safe approach distances, spotters or supply isolation. This is in addition to the risk of a fall of more than 2 metres under s.291(a) that applies to most scaffold erection and dismantling.

Does the principal contractor need a copy of my scaffolding SWMS?

Yes. Under WHS Regulations s.301 you must give the principal contractor a copy of the SWMS before the high risk construction work starts. The SWMS must be reviewed and revised under s.302 if the work changes, a new hazard arises or an incident occurs, and kept until the work is completed under s.303.

Scaffolding & Access SOP

Scaffold erection and dismantling, working platforms, and edge protection

Scaffolding & Access Complete Pack

8 documents — everything you need for scaffolding & access compliance.

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Also available for Scaffolding & Access: SWMS — from $67.96 JSA — from $16.96 Toolbox Talk — from $21.21 Risk Assessment — from $33.96 Induction — from $21.21 Emergency — from $42.46

Scaffolding work is inherently high-risk construction work under WHS Regulations s.291 due to the constant risk of falls from height. Licensed scaffolders require SWMS for every scaffolding operation.

Our scaffolding SWMS pack covers 8 activities including scaffold erection and dismantling, working platform installation, edge protection systems, scaffold inspection, and mobile scaffold operations. Documents address critical hazards such as scaffold collapse, falls during erection, falling tools and materials, and electrocution from overhead power lines.

Key Hazards Covered

Falls during scaffold erection and dismantling
Scaffold collapse from improper assembly
Falling tools and materials onto workers below
Electrocution from contact with overhead power lines
Manual handling of heavy scaffold components
Inadequate edge protection

Relevant Australian Standards

AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding (Parts 1-4)
AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding safety
AS/NZS 4994.1 Temporary edge protection
AS/NZS 1891.1 Fall-arrest systems

Individual Documents — $33.96 each

	Document	Price
	Erection of Tube and Coupler Scaffolding — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the erection of tube and coupler scaffolding systems including base setup, standard and ledger placement, bracing, platform installation, and tie-in connections for residential and commercial construction projects. What's inside this document 6 work steps 10 hazards identified 10 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 224 - Scaffolding work requiring a licence WHS Reg 2011, Reg 225 - Erection of scaffolding PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96
	Dismantling and Removal of Scaffolding — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the systematic dismantling of tube and coupler, modular, and system scaffolding including removal of platforms, guardrails, ties, and standards in reverse order of erection. What's inside this document 5 work steps 7 hazards identified 7 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 224 - Scaffolding work requiring a licence WHS Reg 2011, Reg 226 - Dismantling of scaffolding PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96
	Mobile Scaffold (Rolling Tower) Setup and Use — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the assembly, repositioning, and use of mobile scaffold towers (rolling towers) for short-duration work at height on level surfaces in construction and maintenance applications. What's inside this document 5 work steps 8 hazards identified 8 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 225 - Erection of scaffolding WHS Reg 2011, Reg 228 - Scaffold to be inspected PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96
	Suspended (Swing Stage) Scaffolding — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the setup, operation, and use of suspended scaffold platforms (swing stages) including rigging of outriggers, wire rope installation, descent and ascent operations for building facade work. What's inside this document 5 work steps 9 hazards identified 9 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 224 - Scaffolding work requiring a licence WHS Reg 2011, Reg 229 - Suspended scaffold additional requirements PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96
	Temporary Edge Protection Systems Installation — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the installation, inspection, and removal of temporary edge protection systems including guardrail posts, mesh barriers, and safety netting on roof edges, floor openings, and open-sided structures. What's inside this document 5 work steps 8 hazards identified 8 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 306 - Use of safety net or fall arrest system WHS Reg 2011, Reg 78 - Duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96
	Scaffold Inspection and Tagging Procedures — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the systematic inspection, assessment, and scafftag management of all scaffold types to verify compliance with AS/NZS 4576, ensure structural integrity, and maintain safe working conditions throughout the scaffold life cycle. What's inside this document 6 work steps 9 hazards identified 9 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 228 - Scaffold to be inspected WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 227 - Scaffolding must be erected by competent person PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96
	Cantilever and Bracket Scaffold Erection — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the erection and use of cantilever and bracket scaffolding systems projecting from building structures, including needle scaffolds and truss-out scaffolds for facade access where ground-based scaffolding is not feasible. What's inside this document 5 work steps 8 hazards identified 8 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 224 - Scaffolding work requiring a licence WHS Reg 2011, Reg 225 - Erection of scaffolding PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96
	Material Loading and Storage on Scaffold Platforms — Safe Work Method Statement Covers the safe loading, distribution, and storage of construction materials and equipment on scaffold platforms including manual handling, mechanical lifting to scaffold, and load management to prevent overloading. What's inside this document 6 work steps 9 hazards identified 9 control measures 5×5 risk matrix Worker sign-off section Legislation Referenced WHS Reg 2011, Reg 291(1)(a) - Risk of fall of 2m or more WHS Reg 2011, Reg 228 - Scaffold to be inspected WHS Reg 2011, Reg 60 - Duty to manage risks from manual tasks PPE Requirements (with AS/NZS standards) Hard hat (Type 1) (AS/NZS 1801) Safety footwear (steel cap) (AS/NZS 2210.3) Safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1) Hi-visibility vest (Class D/N) (AS/NZS 4602.1) Gloves (task-appropriate) (AS/NZS 2161.1) Australian Standards Referenced AS/NZS 1801 — Occupational protective headwear AS/NZS 2210.3 — Occupational protective footwear	$33.96

Scaffolding & Access SOP — Common Questions

What is the difference between a SOP and a SWMS?

A SOP provides step-by-step instructions for completing a task safely. A SWMS is a legal document specifically for high-risk construction work that focuses on hazard identification and risk control. SOPs are broader and apply to all tasks, not just HRCW.

Why do I need SOPs if I have SWMS?

SWMS only cover high-risk construction work. SOPs cover all tasks, including routine operations, equipment use, and procedures that don't qualify as HRCW but still need standardised safe practices.

Are your SOPs trade-specific?

Yes. Each SOP is written for specific trade activities, with relevant safety controls, PPE requirements, and references to applicable Australian Standards.

Last updated: March 2026

Scaffolding & Access SOP

Scaffolding & Access Complete Pack

Individual Documents — $33.96 each

Scaffolding & Access SOP — Common Questions

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