Radial Arm Drill Safe Work Method Statement

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

Radial Arm Drill Safe Work Method Statement

Radial Arm Drill Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

Whether you need to get on site to start work, looking to create a safe work environment or pitching that next Government Tender, the Radial Arm Drill Safe Work Method Statement is easy to customise, easy to use and easily integrates into your current Safety Management System (if you have one! If not, we need to talk, seriously. Don't take that sort of risk - we can help).

Look, we understand business can be hard enough as it is without all the red tape, often written in language only a martian would understand. That's why every Safe Work Method Statement Template is written in an easy to understand format, while at the same time being some of the highest quality in the industry. Our SWMS documents get you on site, save you loads of time and are easy to use. This way, you can get on with doing what you do best.


The Radial Arm Drill 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. Pre-start checks
  8. Setting up
  9. Using drill
  10. Cleaning
  11. On completion

The Radial Arm Drill Safe Work Method Statement Includes


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

Your Radial Arm Drill 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.

Radial Arm Drill 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 Radial Arm Drill 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 radial arm drill project as needed, making sure that your Radial Arm Drill SWMS Template addresses any site specific risks.

The fastest and most cost effective solution would be to purchase a Bluesafe Radial Arm Drill SWMS Template. However, if you decide to take the route of writing your own radial arm drill SWMS.

There are some fundamental requirements and information which you may want to consider adding to your Radial Arm Drill SWMS such as:

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

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

Your Radial Arm Drill Safe Work Method Statement Template should list any high risk construction work, such as:

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

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

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

When the Radial Arm Drill SWMS has been revised, the person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure:

  1. All persons involved in the radial arm drill work are advised that a revision has been made and how they can access the revised Radial Arm Drill 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 Radial Arm Drill SWMS; and,
  3. Workers that will be involved in the radial arm drill work are provided with the relevant information and instruction that will assist them to understand and implement the revised Radial Arm Drill SWMS.

When preparing your Radial Arm Drill 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 Radial Arm Drill. 

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

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

Assessment of Site Conditions

Thoroughly assess the work site/area conditions when using radial arm drill and ensure that:

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

Radial Arm Drill Training and Worker Qualifications 

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

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

  • Make sure that work area is clear and there is no debris, fluids or waste on the floor.
  • Check all fluid levels such as transmissions, coolant, oil cups and nipples switch drill OFF when performing checks, oiling and cleaning, etc.
  • Remove waste material and swarfs from all moving parts of the machine wear leather gloves when handling swarf, etc.
  • Wipe down and check operation of slides, vices and all controls.
  • Load larger items by bolting directly to the slots on the drill table make sure that all faces are cleaned before setting up.
  • Place smaller items in a machine vice bolted to the table.
  • Use drill chuck with correct taper for holding smaller sized bits clean both drill and chuck tapers before placing into spindle.
  • Fit larger drills with tapers directly into spindle taper.
  • Be careful when handling rough or sharp objects and drill bits wear gloves when setting up.
  • Use forklift, gantry or hoist to place large and heavy items on to table make sure proper manual handling practices are followed.
  • Make sure that objects are stable before releasing from hoist, etc. wear Type 1 footwear.
  • Allow only authorised persons to use these machines.
  • Make sure that appropriate speed and feed for material being drilled and size of drill are selected use coolant when drilling steel.
  • Use a smaller sized drill bit to drill pilot hole/s before using the larger sized drill. Make the pilot hole at least equal to the width of the drill bit between the grooves at the cutting tip.
  • Stop machine and use drift to loosen taper when changing drills or chuck.
  • Always apply only firm (but not heavy) pressure to hand wheel when using hand feed.
  • Make sure that drill is correctly sharpened before commencing work, and resharpen if it is showing signs of blunting during cutting.
  • Never allow loose clothing, gloves, long hair or beards, or jewellery to be worn when operating machinery or when near moving machine parts keep hands away from moving parts.
  • Keep the cutting area free of chips and swarf use tool to remove swarf.
  • Protect from flying chips by using eye protection or face shield while drilling.
  • Never wear gloves when operating drill.
  • Switch off and de-energise machine before commencing cleaning.
  • Use a brush to make sure that swarf and chips are cleaned off the drill table and vice never use compressed air.
  • Remove the drill bit and store in a safe place where it will not be damaged wear leather gloves when handling swarf, etc.
  • Clean up any oil spills or coolant from floor, mats or duckboards only use lint-free waste or wipes to clean machinery.
  • Make sure that keys are removed from chuck, and placed in holder or trays.

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.