Floor Polisher Safe Work Method Statement

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

Floor Polisher Safe Work Method Statement

Floor Polisher 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 big contract or government tender - the Floor Polisher Safe Work Method Statement is easy to customise, easy to use and 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 Floor Polisher 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. General precautions
  8. Pre-start checks
  9. Handling and transport
  10. Operation
  11. Cleaning and maintenance
  12. On completion

The Floor Polisher Safe Work Method Statement, includes;


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

Your Floor Polisher 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 use a floor polisher with a damaged electrical chord or plug.
  2. Keep a firm grip with both hands on the handles when operating a floor polisher.
  3. Do not run the floor polisher over electrical chords, door stops, or other obstructions. Disconnect an unattended floor polisher.

Floor Polisher Safe Work Method Statement

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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 Floor Polisher 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 floor polisher project as needed, making sure that your Floor Polisher SWMS Template addresses any site specific risks.

The fastest and most cost effective solution would be to purchase a Bluesafe Floor Polisher SWMS Template. However, if you decide to take the route of writing your own floor polisher SWMS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. All persons involved in the floor polisher work are advised that a revision has been made and how they can access the revised Floor Polisher 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 Floor Polisher SWMS; and,
  3. Workers that will be involved in the floor polisher work are provided with the relevant information and instruction that will assist them to understand and implement the revised Floor Polisher SWMS. 

When preparing your Floor Polisher 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 Floor Polisher.

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

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

Assessment of Site Conditions

Thoroughly assess the work site/area conditions when working with floor polisher and ensure that:

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

Floor Polisher Training and Worker Qualifications 

Ensure all workers have the appropriate licenses in conducting Floor Polisher as well as any qualifications that may be required for various floor polisher 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 Floor Polisher SWMS including all safety and emergency procedures.
  2. Be qualified, knowledgeable and competent in Floor Polisher operations and floor polisher work as well as all delegated tasks/responsibilities
  3. Be fully aware and understand the scope of work in relation to the Floor Polisher SWMS 

Below are some examples of some Control Measures to be implemented when creating your own Floor Polisher Safe Work Method Statement Template:

  • Test the grinder and leads, and check the current test tag attached to the plug end.
  • Check the full length of the lead for signs of cuts or crushing damage regularly.
  • Electric tools must always be powered from circuits powered by RCD or a safety switch.
  • Make sure there is no unauthorised entry into the work area.
  • Never use if machine is out of test.
  • Never use a machine with a faulty lead.
  • Never use from an unprotected circuit.
  • At all entrances there must be No Entry signs.
  • All housings and casings must be inspected for loose or missing screws, faults, etc.
  • The handle must be adjusted to a comfortable position for the user, preferably waist-high.
  • Make sure all controls will operate properly and turn off when released.
  • Make sure the grinding wheel being used is of the proper type for the floor to be ground.
  • Grinding heads must be checked for faults and cracks as these may cause failure during use.
  • Before polishing with suction polishers, make sure the filter bag is fitted.
  • All faulty parts must be replaced or repaired.
  • Make sure the handle is locked in place.
  • Never operate a faulty machine.
  • When replacing the polishing buffs, make sure to observe the manual of the manufacturer.
  • Make sure all the wheels can turn freely on their axles and they are in good condition.
  • While moving the machine, never tilt it back beyond its balance point.
  • To roll down from the vehicle or to pull machine up onto vehicle, always use a ramp.
  • When transporting, always secure the machine against movement.
  • Be careful not to tilt the machine back beyond the balance point.
  • Proper handling practices must be observed.
  • Strap the machine or tie it securely.
  • Use the floor polisher following the instructions from the manufacturer.
  • When moving the machine, use legs as well do not use force by arms and shoulders alone.
  • Be careful when walking on wet floors or on unspread polish
  • Always make sure that the filter bag is fitted for use industry areas, and do not breath in the dust.
  • Before tilting back, make sure to stop the polisher.
  • Proper handling practices must be observed.
  • Before allowing persons into area, make sure the polishing is completed.
  • Before working on the polisher heads always disconnect machine from power supply.
  • Remove the dust and residue, which will build up on the underside of the polisher guard.
  • When emptying the bin of dust extractor unit or its dust bag, be careful not to breathe the dust.
  • While washing exterior of machine, avoid water entry into the electric motor.
  • Before working on moving parts of a machine, ensure it is disconnected.
  • When emptying dust collector, wearing a P1 particulate dust mask is necessary.
  • Never hose down the machine wipe it down.

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.