Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement

Composts Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS Template) delivered in Microsoft Word format for easy editing.

Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement

Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

Whether you need to get on site to start work, looking to create a safe work environment or pitching for that next government tender - the Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement is easy to customise, easy to use and easy to integrate into your current Safety Management System. If you don't have a Safety Management System, we need to talk, seriously, you don't need to be carrying that level of risk exposure in your business - we can help.

Look, we understand that business should be rewarding and not consumed by tedious red tape. The Safe Work Method Statement Template we create is in an easy to understand format, while at the same time being some of the highest quality documents in the industry. Our SWMS documents get you onsite, save you loads of time and are very user-friendly. This way, you can get on with doing what you do best.

The Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the following Job Steps, including potential hazards, control measures and risk ratings:

  1. Planning and preparation
  2. Training and capabilities
  3. Assess onsite conditions
  4. Set up work area
  5. Temporary Traffic Control (TMP)
  6. Delivery of materials and equipment
  7. Air supply
  8. Air hoses and fittings
  9. Use of compressed air
  10. General safety rules
  11. On completion

The Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement Includes


Risk Assessment Matrix | Hierarchy of Controls | PPE | Emergency Response

Your Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement is ready to be used in three easy steps:

  1. Add your company logo and details to the SWMS Template.
  2. Identify site specific risks.
  3. Address any site specific risks and add them to your SWMS Template.

Your SWMS is now read to use, and may also be used as training materials for work related activities such as Workplace Inductions or WHS-OHS Toolbox Meeting Talks.

Bluesafe Quick Tips:

  1. Never point compressed air at yourself or another person and never used it to dry yourself or cool yourself down.
  2. Always stick within pressure ratings, and check the condition of hoses and lines before use.
  3. Always wear appropriate PPE.

Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement

  • High quality and ready to use Compressed Air 
  • Safe Work Method Statement.
  • Immediate Download Delivery.
  • Fully editable Safe Work Method Statement Template.
  • Easy to customise - instructions included.
  • Referenced to Australian and NZ Standards (AS/NZS) and Legislation. 
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10 SWMS Pack

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View a Safe Work Method Statement Example

See an example of a Safe Work Method Statement Template below. All our SWMS Template documents are comprehensive in nature, easy to use, and are a huge time saver. Our Safe Work Method Statement Templates are quick and easy to customise to your specific business or operation and are perfectly suited for every day use, for larger contracts and tenders right through to qualifying for contractor management platforms such as CM3.

What is a Safe Work Method Statement?

A SWMS is a document that outlines the high-risk construction work activities that will be performed at a workplace, the hazards that will be present as a result of these activities, and the controls that will be implemented to mitigate the risks.

A single SWMS can be utilised for numerous high-risk construction work activities, such as employing powered mobile plant, working at heights of more than 2 metres, and working near to a road that is used by traffic other than pedestrians.

A SWMS is an administrative control that is used to support higher-order controls, such as engineering controls, that are designed to remove or reduce hazards to health and safety.

A SWMS differs from other documentation such as a Job Safety Analysis or a Safe Operating Procedure in that it focuses on specific jobs or processes. A SWMS isn't meant to be a procedure; rather, it's a tool for supervisors and workers to check and monitor the workplace control measures. For high-risk work activities, a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking)  must prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or check that one has been prepared before starting work. It is important to note that before any work process has started, a SWMS must be prepared.

A PCBU, on the other hand, also must manage health and safety hazards by eliminating or reducing them as much as possible. Before beginning any work on a project, the principal contractor must also obtain a copy of the SWMS.

What information does a Safe Work Method Statement need to contain?

A Safe Work Method Statement should identify high-risk work and any specify hazards related to high-risk construction work as well as any health and safety risks. The SWMS should describe the risk-control measures to be implemented, monitored, and reviewed and also should describe how the risk-control measures will be effective at reducing or eliminating the risk, and how they will be implemented, monitored, and reviewed.

A Safe Work Method Statement should be concise and focus on outlining the specific risks identified for the high-risk work to be performed, as well as the control measures to be implemented to ensure that the work is completed safely.

A long and overly complex Safe Work Method Statement which could be difficult to comprehend, implement and monitor or review may be confusing for workers to mentally digest and therefore is not ideal in helping to reduce or eliminate risks in the workplace. It is imperative that workers, and especially those who do not speak English, are able to understand the Safe Work Method Statement. Consider having pictures or diagrams added to the SWMS as a more effective way of presenting information contained within the SWMS.

The SWMS should also contain other regulatory requirements to protect health and safety of all personnel, such as controlling noise exposure and manual job risks. Also, keep in mind that evidence of a completed risk assessment may be required by the regulator or for auditing reasons if the Safe Work Method Statement is based on a workplace-specific risk assessment.

Who's Responsible for creating the Safe Work Method Statement?

In collaboration with workers who will be directly engaged in the activity, the person responsible for carrying out the work is usually best equipped to prepare the SWMS document. In most cases, this means that a Safe Work Method Statement is created by the builder for his or her employees, or by the subcontractor for their employees.

To establish who is in the best position to prepare the Safe Work Method Statement, the principle contractor, builder, and/or subcontractors should decide who will take responsibility for the SWMS.

It's also a requirement that all managers, contractors, supervisors, and workers be involved in the creation of a Safe Work Method Statement. Workers must be consulted so that they understand the SWMS in depth and what they must do to establish and maintain risks and implement control measures to manage the risk. Sharing information and utilising workers' knowledge and experience may also aid in ensuring that the task is completed in accordance with the SWMS.

If your workplace has a Health and Safety Representative, they should also be contacted while creating a Safe Work Method Statement.

What does the principal contractor's responsibility entail?

Before beginning work, a principal contractor must take all reasonable steps to obtain a SWMS from any contractor performing high-risk work. If no SWMS exists, the principal contractor must arrange for one to be created, for example by the contractor or subcontractor.

A general contractor should establish plans to ensure that high-risk work is carried out safely and in compliance with the Safe Work Method Statement. This can be done by keeping an eye on how the SWMS is being implemented on the ground.

The principal contractors' WHS management plan must also include detailed arrangements for collecting, assessing, monitoring, and reviewing the SWMS, according to the WHS Regulations.

How to Write a Safe Work Method Statement 

If you're looking to write your own Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement, the first step is to create the document as a Safe Work Method Statement Template. This way, you can use the same SWMS Template and then adjust the document for each different glazing project as needed, making sure that your Compressed Air SWMS Template addresses any site specific risks. 

The fastest and most cost effective solution would be to purchase a Bluesafe Compressed Air SWMS Template. However, if you decide to take the route of writing your own compressed air SWMS.

There are some fundamental requirements and information which you may want to consider adding to your Compressed Air SWMS such as: 

  • Details of the person(s) responsible for making sure implementation, monitoring and compliance of the Compressed Air SWMS as well as any reviews and modifications.
  • Any information detailing safety meetings or toolbox talks in relation to compressed air work, scheduled in accordance with legislative requirements to first identify any site hazards where the compressed air work is being conducted, secondly, communicate the risks and hazards and then take steps to eliminate or control each hazard in relation to the compressed air work being done.
  • Any changes added to the Compressed Air SWMS after an incident or a near miss.

Note: The Compressed Air SWMS must be kept and be available for inspection at least until the compressed air work is completed. Where the Compressed Air SWMS is revised, all versions of the SWMS Template should be kept. If a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement, the Compressed Air SWMS must be kept for a minimum of two years from the date of the incident.

Your Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement Template should list any high risk construction work, such as: 

  • Does the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS involve a risk of a person falling more than 2 meters?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out on or near pressurised gas mains or piping?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out on a telecommunication tower?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines?
  • Does the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS involve demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services?
  • Does the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS involve demolition of an element related to the physical integrity of a structure?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere?
  • Does the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS involve, or is likely to involve, disturbing asbestos?
  • Does the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS involve tilt-up or precast concrete?
  • Does the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS involve structural alteration or repair that requires temporary support to prevent collapse?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out in or near a confined space?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out in an area of a workplace where there is any movement of powered mobile plant?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out in/near a shaft or trench deeper than 1.5m or tunnel involving use of explosives?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out in areas with artificial extremes of temperature?
  • Is the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning?
  • Does the compressed air work outlined in the Compressed Air SWMS involve diving work? 

Your Compressed Air Safe Work Method Statement should also identify any high-risk machinery or equipment in operation near the work site, such as:

Your Compressed Air SWMS should also list any Personal Protective Equipment such as:

  • Foot Protection - Boots or closed in shoes
  • Hand Protection - Gloves
  • Head Protection - Hard hat or helmet
  • Hearing Protection - Ear plugs or ear muffs
  • Eye Protection - Safety glasses, goggles or face shields
  • Respiratory Protection - Face masks etc
  • Face Protection - Face shield, welding mask etc
  • High Visual Clothing
  • Protective Clothing - Overalls etc
  • Fall Protection - Safety harness, edge protection etc
  • Sun Protection - Sunscreen, hat etc
  • Hair and Jewellery Secured - Hair Net, etc 

The Compressed Air SWMS must be reviewed continually to ensure it remains effective and relevant. The Compressed Air SWMS must be reviewed (and revised if necessary) if relevant control measures in relation to compressed air work are revised. The review process should be carried out in consultation with workers (including contractors and subcontractors) who may be affected by the Compressed Air and their health and safety representatives who represented that work group at the workplace.

When the Compressed Air SWMS has been revised, the person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure:  

  1. All persons involved in the compressed air work are advised that a revision has been made and how they can access the revised Compressed Air SWMS;
  2. Persons who will need to change a work procedure or system as a result of the review are advised of the changes in a way that will enable them to implement their duties consistently with the revised Compressed Air SWMS; and,
  3. Workers that will be involved in the compressed air work are provided with the relevant information and instruction that will assist them to understand and implement the revised Compressed Air SWMS.

When preparing your Compressed Air SWMS, here are some topics you might want to also include to ensure you have covered as many risks and hazards as possible.  

Planning and Preparation When Working With and Around Compressed Air.

When writing your Compressed Air SWMS, establish any policies, procedures and systems for working with Compressed Airs in consultation with the Principal Contractor and workers while being sure to establish:

  • Health and Safety guidelines for compressed air work
  • Emergency plans and evacuation procedures for the Compressed Air SWMS
  • Worker inductions for Compressed Air
  • Toolbox talks (safety meetings) added to the Compressed Air SWMS
  • Outline details of supervision of the site and workers on the Compressed Air SWMS
  • Check all workers qualifications, permits and competencies for Compressed Air operations
  • Ensure the Compressed Air and any related equipment is functioning correctly
  • Hazard reporting procedures in place and added to the Compressed Air SWMS
  • Incident reporting procedures in place and added to the Compressed Air SWMS
  • Exclusion zones when conducting compressed air work
  • Risk Assessment for TASK completed and noted on the Compressed Air SWMS
  • Electrical NO GO ZONES identified, discussed and documented.

Assessment of Site Conditions 

Thoroughly assess the work site/area conditions when using compressed air and ensure that: 

  1. A risk assessment of the compressed air work is conducted
  2. Suitable access and adequate space to conduct compressed air work safely
  3. Consult with all stakeholders on potential hazards and risks when conducting compressed air work
  4. Consultation with all relevant workers and personnel for Compressed Air SWMS details
  5. If conducting Compressed Air at night, ensure there is adequate lighting
  6. Check that the work environment is suitable for compressed air work

Compressed Air Training and Worker Qualifications 

Ensure all workers have the appropriate licenses in conducting Compressed Air as well as any qualifications that may be required for various compressed air projects before starting work. If White Cards are required, retain copies of all cards, licenses and qualifications of personnel.

All personnel must:

  1. Be trained and/or have received instructions on the Compressed Air SWMS including all safety and emergency procedures.
  2. Be qualified, knowledgeable and competent in Compressed Air operations and compressed air work as well as all delegated tasks/responsibilities
  3. Be fully aware and understand the scope of work in relation to the Compressed Air SWMS

Below are some examples of some Control Measures to be implemented when creating your own Compressed Air Safe WorkMethod Statement Template:

  • Always drain all water traps before starting, and at regular intervals during use keep hands away from stream of exhausted air and water.
  • Make sure that oilers have sufficient oil of correct type for lubrication of the equipment to be used (check manufacturer’s instructions before use) Wear PVC or leather gloves.
  • Regularly inspect fixed airlines and supply pipe work for leaks wear eye protection.
  • Inspect mating surfaces of connectors and fittings, deburr if necessary, or replace if worn or damaged make sure that fittings are firmly clamped to hoses.
  • Exhaust air from tools can cause particles and dust to be blown about the area in which the work is being carried out wear eye protection and dust mask.
  • Pneumatic and air-powered tools will generate high noise levels which can pose a risk of damage to hearing wear hearing protection.
  • Never use compressed air for any other purpose than which it is provided.
  • Never use industrial compressed air for breathing purposes special filters are required to remove oil and other impurities from air before it is safe for breathing.
  • Never use compressed air to blow dust from the clothes or hair.
  • Do not direct a stream of compressed air towards the body or another person.
  • Never indulge in so-called practical jokes with compressed air.

National: View the Model Codes of Practice for Excavation Work on Safe Work Australia's website here.
Victoria: Victoria's Code of Practice for Excavation Work may be viewed on Work Safe Victoria's website here.