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Electrical · Australia

SWMS for switchboard upgrade

By SiteSortedBuilt from Safe Work Australia and state regulator guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated

Yes. Switchboard upgrade usually includes high risk construction work (work on or near energised electrical installations or services), so a SWMS is required by law before work starts.

It must list the hazards, the controls and how they will be put in place, monitored and reviewed, and the workers must be consulted and sign before starting. The main hazards are disturbing asbestos, electric shock from live wiring, lifting and carrying heavy loads and falling from a ladder.

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SWMS example: switchboard upgrade

This is a complete SWMS for switchboard upgrade, with 10 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Switchboard upgrade · Electrical · Example
Document SWMS-001 · Rev 1

High risk construction work covered

Work on or near energised electrical installations or services

Job steps, hazards and controls

#Job stepHazardsRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Tell the occupants when the power will be off and arrange a supply for medical or other critical equipment
  • Working in an occupied home or building
Medium
  • Plan noisy, dusty or risky work for when the building is empty. Eliminate
  • Close off the work area with barriers, plastic sheeting or locked doors, and put up signs. Isolate
  • Keep fire exits and paths clear at all times. Administrative
  • Tell occupants before you turn off power, water or gas, and before noisy or dusty work. Administrative
  • Lock away tools, chemicals and materials each day, out of reach of children. Administrative
  • Clean up dust and debris at the end of each day. Administrative
Low
2Set up barriers and good lighting at the switchboard so no one else can reach the open board
  • Working in an occupied home or building
  • Poor lighting and night work
Medium
  • Working in an occupied home or building: see step 1 for the full controls Administrative
  • Plan work for daylight hours where you can. Eliminate
  • Set up enough temporary lighting for the task, walkways, stairs and access points. Engineering
  • Aim lights so they do not dazzle plant operators or drivers. Engineering
  • Check lighting before work starts and carry a torch or head lamp. Administrative
  • Wear hi-vis with reflective tape for night work. PPE
Low
3Check the old switchboard backing board and surrounds for asbestos
  • Disturbing asbestos
Extreme
  • Before work, check the asbestos register (workplaces built before 2004). For homes, or if there is no register, have a competent person identify asbestos or assume it is present. Eliminate
  • Seal off the work area and keep everyone else out. Isolate
  • If asbestos must be disturbed, keep it wet, use hand tools not power tools, and clean up with an H-class vacuum. Engineering
  • Friable asbestos (Class A) and more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos (Class B) must be removed by a licensed removalist. Administrative
  • Stop work straight away if you find suspect asbestos. Do not touch it and tell your supervisor. Administrative
  • Wear a fitted P2 (or better) respirator and disposable coveralls. PPE
Medium
4Arrange for the network operator (or a Level 2 accredited service provider in NSW) to disconnect the supply, then isolate, lock out and danger tag, and test to prove dead. Treat the consumer mains as live until the supply is disconnected
  • Electric shock from live wiring
Extreme
  • Isolate the power before any work. Do not do live work except in the limited cases the WHS Regulations allow (r.157; in Qld, the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013). Eliminate
  • Lock out and tag the isolation point with your own personal lock and danger tag. Isolate
  • Electric shock from live wiring: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative
Medium
5Check the tester on a known live source before and after proving dead
  • Electric shock from live wiring
Extreme
  • Isolate the power before any work. Do not do live work except in the limited cases the WHS Regulations allow (r.157; in Qld, the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013). Eliminate
  • Lock out and tag the isolation point with your own personal lock and danger tag. Isolate
  • Test before you touch: prove dead at the point of work with a voltage tester, proving the tester on a known live source before and after (AS/NZS 4836). Engineering
  • Only licensed electricians do electrical work. Administrative
  • Check for back feeds from solar, batteries and generators that can keep a circuit live after the main switch is off. Administrative
  • If live work cannot be avoided, use a permit, a safety observer and insulated tools. Administrative
  • Wear insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing and a face shield when testing or working near live parts. PPE
Medium
6Remove the old switchboard, labelling every circuit as it comes off
  • Electric shock from live wiring
  • Cuts from sharp edges
  • Lifting and carrying heavy loads
Extreme
  • Electric shock from live wiring: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative
  • Deburr or cover sharp edges, and fit edge protectors on exposed sheet metal. Engineering
  • Use knives with retractable or self-retracting blades. Engineering
  • Cut away from your body and keep your other hand clear. Administrative
  • Put used blades in a blade bin or sharps container. Administrative
  • Use two people to handle large sheets of metal or glass. Administrative
  • Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Eliminate
  • Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Substitute
  • Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or plant instead of carrying by hand. Engineering
  • Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Administrative
  • Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Administrative
Medium
7Mount the new enclosure, drilling with dust control and working from a stable step
  • Injury from power tools
  • General dust
  • Falling from a ladder
High
  • Keep all guards fitted and working. Never tie back or remove a guard. Engineering
  • Clamp or secure the work piece. Do not hold it by hand. Engineering
  • Only trained, competent people use power tools, following the maker's instructions. Administrative
  • Check tools before use. Unplug or remove the battery before changing blades or bits. Administrative
  • No loose clothing, jewellery or long hair near spinning parts. Administrative
  • Use low-dust products, such as dust-reduced or pre-mixed compounds. Substitute
  • Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting in occupied buildings. Isolate
  • Use tools with dust extraction and a vacuum for clean up. Engineering
  • Lightly mist the area with water to keep dust down, away from anything electrical. Engineering
  • Never dry sweep or blow dust off with compressed air. Administrative
  • Use a platform ladder, mobile scaffold or EWP for longer jobs instead of a straight ladder. Substitute
  • Use industrial-rated ladders (AS/NZS 1892, 120 kg or more) in good condition. Remove any damaged ladder from site. Engineering
  • Set extension ladders at a 4 to 1 angle on firm, level ground, tied or footed, and reaching 1 metre above the landing. Engineering
  • Use ladders only for short, light work. Do not carry heavy or awkward loads up a ladder. Administrative
  • Keep three points of contact and your belt buckle between the stiles. Do not overreach. Administrative
Medium
8Terminate circuits with RCD protection and tighten connections to the right torque
  • Electric shock from leads and power tools
  • Repetitive work and awkward postures
High
  • Use battery-powered tools where you can. Substitute
  • Plug all tools into an RCD-protected outlet or a portable RCD. Engineering
  • Keep leads off the ground and out of water, using lead stands or hooks. Engineering
  • Check leads, plugs and tools before every use. Tag out and remove anything damaged. Administrative
  • Test and tag leads, tools and RCDs at the intervals in AS/NZS 3012 (every 3 months on construction sites). Push-button test portable RCDs before each use. Administrative
  • Do not use tools in rain or wet areas unless they are rated for it. Administrative
  • Wear safety boots and dry gloves. PPE
  • Use tools that cut the effort: powered screwdrivers, long-handled tools and extension poles for overhead work. Substitute
  • Set work up at waist height on benches or trestles where you can. Engineering
  • Use light tools with good grips, and keep blades and bits sharp. Engineering
  • Rotate tasks and take short breaks every hour on repetitive work. Administrative
  • Warm up before heavy physical work and report aches and pains early. Administrative
  • Wear knee pads for kneeling work and gloves for grip. PPE
Medium
9With your lock still on, do the dead tests: earth continuity, insulation resistance, polarity and correct circuit connections
  • Electric shock from live wiring
Extreme
  • Electric shock from live wiring: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative
Medium
10Remove your lock only when the dead tests pass and everyone is clear, re-energise, then test RCD trip times and polarity live; label the switchboard, clean up and issue the state certificate (for example a CCEW in NSW or a Certificate of Electrical Safety in Vic)
  • Electric shock from live wiring
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
Extreme
  • Electric shock from live wiring: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative
  • Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Eliminate
  • Put skip bins and waste chutes close to the work. Engineering
  • Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative
  • Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative
  • Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative
  • Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE
Medium

PPE

Steel cap bootsSafety glassesInsulated electrical glovesArc-rated clothing and face shieldP2 dust maskHi-vis shirt or vestHalf-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters)OverallsWork glovesCut-resistant glovesHearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)Hard hatKnee pads

Plant and equipment

Electrical test equipmentHand toolsPower drillStep ladder

Permits and plans

Electrical isolation permit

Emergency

Call 000. Add the nearest hospital, the assembly point and the first aider for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this SWMS.

Page 1 of the free switchboard upgrade SWMS template: business details, high risk construction work and job steps with hazards, risk ratings and controls

Free SWMS template for switchboard upgrade

Word (.docx) and PDF, A4 landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this SWMS

Pre-start checklist for switchboard upgrade

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

The safe sequence of work

  1. Tell the occupants when the power will be off and arrange a supply for medical or other critical equipment
  2. Set up barriers and good lighting at the switchboard so no one else can reach the open board
  3. Check the old switchboard backing board and surrounds for asbestos
  4. Arrange for the network operator (or a Level 2 accredited service provider in NSW) to disconnect the supply, then isolate, lock out and danger tag, and test to prove dead. Treat the consumer mains as live until the supply is disconnected
  5. Check the tester on a known live source before and after proving dead
  6. Remove the old switchboard, labelling every circuit as it comes off
  7. Mount the new enclosure, drilling with dust control and working from a stable step
  8. Terminate circuits with RCD protection and tighten connections to the right torque
  9. With your lock still on, do the dead tests: earth continuity, insulation resistance, polarity and correct circuit connections
  10. Remove your lock only when the dead tests pass and everyone is clear, re-energise, then test RCD trip times and polarity live; label the switchboard, clean up and issue the state certificate (for example a CCEW in NSW or a Certificate of Electrical Safety in Vic)

Hazards to watch on switchboard upgrade

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 2Poor lighting and night workDim or dark work areas hide trip hazards, edges and moving plant, and make workers hard to see.
Step 8Electric shock from leads and power toolsDamaged leads, plugs or tools, or water near power, give the user an electric shock.
Step 1, 2Working in an occupied home or buildingResidents, staff or children wander into the work area and get hurt, or the work blocks exits or cuts off power or water while people are inside.
Step 3Disturbing asbestosBuildings built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos, and any built before 2004 may. Drilling, cutting or breaking it releases fibres that cause cancer years later.
Step 7General dustDust from plasterboard, filler, cement and clean up irritates eyes and lungs and makes it hard to see.
Step 7Injury from power toolsDrills, saws, routers and sanders kick back, catch clothing or throw debris, causing cuts, broken bones and eye injuries.
Almost certainLikelyPossibleUnlikelyRareHow bad it could be: Insignificant to CatastrophicBA
Highest risk on switchboard upgrade: Extreme before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the Australia 5 by 5 risk matrix (possible and catastrophic becomes unlikely and major).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

  • Will anyone work more than 2 metres off the ground?
  • Will anyone work on a roof?
  • Is there a skylight, clear sheet, fibro or other fragile roofing?
  • Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?
  • Will you use an EWP (scissor lift or boom lift)?

Licences and legal requirements in Australia

This task can involve these high risk construction work categories under the WHS Regulations:

  • Work on or near energised electrical installations or services

A SWMS must be prepared before any high risk construction work starts. It must list the high risk work, the hazards and risks, the control measures, and how those controls will be put in place, monitored and reviewed. It must be easy for the workers to read and understand.

Rules that apply: WHS Regulations, Chapter 8 (Asbestos); WHS Regulation 2011, Part 4.7 General electrical safety; WHS Regulation 2011, Part 4.2 Hazardous manual tasks; WHS Regulation 2011, Part 4.4 Falls; WHS Regulation 2011, Part 4.7 and AS/NZS 3012.

Each state has its own regulator and some extra rules: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory.

Why SWMS get rejected

Principal contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

  • It is generic: another site address, tasks that are not on this job, or no sign it was reviewed for this site. WorkSafe WA says a generic SWMS may not meet the regulations unless it is reviewed and amended for the workplace.
  • The HRCW boxes are not ticked, or the ticks do not match the tasks (for example a roof job with no falls box ticked).
  • Falls are controlled only by "be careful", training or a harness, with no edge protection or scaffold and no reason why higher controls are not reasonably practicable.
  • Workers will clip on to a harness but there is no rescue plan for someone left hanging.
  • The "how controls are implemented, monitored and reviewed" part is missing, or it says the same thing on every row.
  • No worker sign-on, no person responsible for compliance, or a date given to the principal contractor that is before they actually received it.
  • Licence or White Card details are missing for workers operating plant or doing licensed high risk work.

Questions

Do I need a SWMS for switchboard upgrade?

Yes. Switchboard upgrade usually includes high risk construction work (work on or near energised electrical installations or services), so a SWMS is required by law before work starts.

Who signs the SWMS?

The person conducting the business (PCBU) or their supervisor prepares it with the workers, and every worker doing the high risk work signs to show they were consulted and understand it. Give a copy to the principal contractor before work starts.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this SWMS, and every revised version, until the high risk construction work is finished, where workers and inspectors can see it on site. If a notifiable incident happens during the work, keep it for at least 2 years after the incident.

What PPE is needed for switchboard upgrade?

Usually Steel cap boots, Safety glasses, Insulated electrical gloves, Arc-rated clothing and face shield, P2 dust mask, Hi-vis shirt or vest, Half-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters), Overalls, Work gloves, Cut-resistant gloves, Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), Hard hat, Knee pads. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More electrical SWMS

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Blank SWMS template: free SWMS templates. Also for other countries: United Kingdom (RAMS) · United States (JHA) · Canada (FLHA)

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