Roofing · Australia

SWMS for re-roofing

By SiteSortedBuilt from Safe Work Australia and state regulator guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated 9 November 2026

Yes. Re-roofing usually includes high risk construction work (risk of a person falling more than 2 metres; work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant), 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 falling from a roof edge, falling from height, disturbing asbestos and scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold.

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SWMS example: re-roofing

This is a complete SWMS for re-roofing, with 11 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)

Re-roof: strip and replace a roof · Roofing · Example

Document SWMS-001 · Rev 1

High risk construction work covered

Risk of a person falling more than 2 metresWork in an area with movement of powered mobile plant

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Check the asbestos register and get any asbestos roof removed by a licensed removalist first	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
2	Check the weather and power lines, and plan the crane, hoist and skip bin positions	Contact with overhead power lines Strong wind and storms Crane and lifting failure	High	Ask the network operator to turn off, move or insulate the lines before work starts. Eliminate Use non-conductive (fibreglass) ladders near any power lines. Substitute Mark the safe distance with flags, tape or goal posts and keep all plant and people outside it. Isolate Keep out of the No Go Zone set by your state and the network operator, or get written approval and a safety observer. In NSW and Qld, untrained people and plant stay at least 3 m from lines on poles up to 132 kV, 6 m up to 330 kV and 8 m above 330 kV. In Victoria the limits differ, and work within 8 m of tower lines needs a spotter and the network operator's permission. Administrative Use a dedicated spotter whenever plant moves or raises anything near lines. Administrative Treat all lines as live. If plant touches a line, stay in the cab and keep everyone well away. Administrative Check the forecast each morning and plan work at height and lifting around the weather. Eliminate Tie down or weigh down loose sheets, panels, boards and rubbish at the end of each shift. Engineering Set wind limits for roof work, platforms and cranes, using the manufacturer's limits, and stop when they are reached. Administrative Stop work and get down in lightning. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back up. Administrative Check scaffold, fencing and edge protection after strong wind before anyone uses them. Administrative Barricade the lift zone and keep everyone out from under the load. Isolate Use a crane rated for the load at the radius, set up on firm ground with outrigger pads. Engineering Check slings, chains, shackles and hooks before use. Remove anything damaged or not tagged. Engineering Plan the lift: weight, radius, ground, path and landing area. Use a written lift plan for complex lifts. Administrative Crane operators and doggers or riggers hold the right High Risk Work Licence. Administrative	Medium
3	Erect full perimeter scaffold edge protection, a waste chute and an exclusion zone below	Falling from a roof edge Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold Falling tools and materials Public entering the work area	Extreme	Do what you can from the ground or from a scaffold at the gutter line, for example pre-assemble parts on the ground. Eliminate Install edge protection or guardrails on all open roof edges before work starts. Isolate Use a perimeter scaffold with handrails and toe boards along the eaves where practical. Engineering Where guardrails cannot be fitted, use fall restraint on certified roof anchors so workers cannot reach the edge. Engineering Only workers briefed on this SWMS go on the roof. Stop and review the SWMS if the roof, weather or method changes. Administrative Have a written emergency and rescue plan, tested before work starts, for any worker using a harness (WHS Regulations r.80). Administrative Scaffold is built, altered and taken down only by a competent scaffolder, on a firm base with sole boards and ties. Engineering Fit guardrails, mid rails and toe boards on every working platform. Engineering Use mobile scaffolds only on firm, level ground with castors locked and outriggers fitted. Never move one with anyone on it. Engineering Scaffold where a person or object could fall more than 4 metres is built by a licensed scaffolder (High Risk Work Licence). Administrative Do not use a scaffold over 4 metres until the scaffolder gives a written handover certificate. Administrative Inspect the scaffold before first use, after any change or bad weather, and at least every 30 days. Record it on the scaffold tag. Administrative Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Isolate Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Engineering Falling tools and materials: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Isolate Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for prams and wheelchairs. Isolate Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Engineering Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorised entry". Administrative	Medium
4	Strip the old roof in sections so the building stays covered if rain comes	Strong wind and storms Falling through a fragile roof or skylight Lifting and carrying heavy loads Cuts from sharp edges	Extreme	Do not carry large sheets on roofs in wind. Administrative Wear a hard hat with a chin strap at height in windy conditions. PPE Strong wind and storms: see step 2 for the full controls Administrative Work from underneath or from an EWP so nobody stands on the fragile roof. Eliminate Cover or guard every skylight and fragile sheet with a fixed, marked cover or mesh before work starts. Isolate Install safety mesh under new roof sheeting, and use crawl boards or staging to spread the load on fragile surfaces. Engineering Use fall arrest on rated anchors when working near fragile areas. Engineering 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 Lifting and carrying heavy loads: see step 7 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	Medium
5	Lower waste in the chute or by crane, never throw it off	Falling tools and materials Crane and lifting failure Poor housekeeping and waste	High	Barricade and sign the drop zone under overhead work so nobody walks beneath. Isolate Fit toe boards, kick plates and mesh screens on scaffolds and edges. Engineering Use catch fans, debris netting or covered walkways where people pass below. Engineering Tether hand tools when working at height. Engineering Keep platforms tidy. Do not stack materials near edges or above toe board height. Administrative Use tag lines to control loads and agree on clear radio or hand signals. Administrative Stop lifting in high wind or when the operator cannot see the signaller. Administrative Never ride on a load or hook. Administrative Crane and lifting failure: see step 2 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	Medium
6	Check and repair the roof framing, guarding any gaps	Structural collapse during alterations Falling from height	Extreme	Get an engineer to check before removing any wall, beam, post or bracing that may be load-bearing. Eliminate Keep everyone clear of the area under and next to the work. Isolate Install temporary props, needles or shoring as designed before removing any support. Engineering Follow the engineer's sequence. Do not change it without approval. Administrative Check props daily. Do not remove them until the permanent support is in and approved. Administrative Install temporary support to the engineer's or temporary works design before any load bearing element is altered. Administrative Wear a hard hat and safety boots. PPE Do the work from the ground where you can, for example pre-assemble on the ground or use extension poles. Eliminate Install guardrails or edge protection on all open edges before work starts. Isolate Falling from height: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
7	Install safety mesh, sarking and battens	Falling from height Lifting and carrying heavy loads	Extreme	Do the work from the ground where you can, for example pre-assemble on the ground or use extension poles. Eliminate Install guardrails or edge protection on all open edges before work starts. Isolate Use a scaffold, mobile work platform or EWP instead of working off a ladder. Engineering Where edge protection is not practical, use a fall restraint or fall arrest system on a rated anchor point. Engineering Everyone working at height holds a White Card and has been briefed on this SWMS before going up. Administrative Have a written emergency and rescue plan, tested before work starts, so a worker hanging in a harness can be brought down within minutes (WHS Regulations r.80). Administrative Wear a full body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard, clipped on at all times when using fall arrest. PPE 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 Rotate tasks and take breaks on long lifting jobs. Administrative Wear gloves for grip and safety boots to protect your feet. PPE	Medium
8	Land new roofing materials by crane or hoist, spreading loads across the frame	Crane and lifting failure Structural collapse during alterations	High	Wear a hard hat, hi-vis, gloves and safety boots. PPE Crane and lifting failure: see step 2 for the full controls Administrative Structural collapse during alterations: see step 6 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
9	Lay the new roof, taking breaks in heat and sun	Lifting and carrying heavy loads Heat stress Sun exposure (UV)	High	Lifting and carrying heavy loads: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative Schedule heavy work for the cooler part of the day. Eliminate Provide shade over work and rest areas, and fans or cooling in roof spaces. Engineering Supply cool drinking water close by and drink a cup every 15 to 20 minutes. Administrative Take regular rest breaks in the shade, more often as it gets hotter. Administrative Let new and returning workers build up to full work in the heat over about a week. Administrative Plan outdoor work for early morning or late afternoon when UV is lower. Eliminate Put shade covers over fixed work areas. Engineering Check the UV index each day. Use sun protection when it is 3 or higher. Administrative Check your skin regularly and see a doctor about any new or changing spots. Administrative Wear a broad-brim hat or hard hat brim, long sleeves, sunglasses and SPF 50+ sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. PPE	Medium
10	Fit flashings, ridge capping, gutters and downpipes	Injury from power tools Angle grinder injuries Cuts from sharp edges	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 a guarded saw or a different tool where you can. Substitute Keep the guard on and use the side handle. Never remove the guard. Engineering Use the right disc for the job, rated for the grinder's speed. Check it for cracks first. Administrative Only trained people change discs, with the grinder unplugged or the battery out. Administrative Keep both hands on the grinder and let the disc stop before putting it down. Administrative Use two people to handle large sheets of metal or glass. Administrative Wear cut-resistant gloves and long sleeves. PPE Cuts from sharp edges: see step 4 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
11	Clean the roof and site, then dismantle scaffold once the roof is signed off	Poor housekeeping and waste Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold	Extreme	Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE Poor housekeeping and waste: see step 5 for the full controls Administrative Do not overload platforms. Know the duty rating and keep material stacks over the standards. Administrative Never remove ties, braces, guardrails or boards. Only the scaffolder alters the scaffold. Administrative Wear a hard hat and safety boots on and around the scaffold. PPE Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffold: see step 3 for the full controls Administrative	Medium

PPE

Steel cap bootsSafety harness and lanyardHard hatCut-resistant glovesSafety glassesP2 dust maskHearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)Sun protection (brim hat, long sleeves, SPF 50+)Half-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters)OverallsWork glovesHi-vis shirt or vestFace shield

Plant and equipment

Fixed scaffold: Scaffolding HRWL (SB, SI or SA) to erect, alter or dismantle where a fall of more than 4 m is possibleCrane (Franna or mobile): HRWL for the crane class (e.g. C2, CN, C6), plus Dogging licence (DG) where slinging needs judgement or the load is out of the operator's viewTelehandler: 3 t or less: trained and assessed (VOC). Over 3 t with a jib, hook or winch: High Risk Work Licence CN (non-slewing mobile crane). Slewing telehandlers: slewing crane licence (C2, C6 and up). Victoria: any non-slewing telehandler over 3 t needs CN or the Victorian telehandler licenceAngle grinderPower drillTrailer

Permits and plans

Lift planRoof access permitWorking at heights 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.

Free SWMS template for re-roofing

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 re-roofing

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

SWMS read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
Edge protection installed and checked before anyone works above 2 m
Fragile roof areas and skylights covered or barricaded
Scaffold tagged, with a handover certificate if over 4 m
Overhead lines identified and safe distances marked
Asbestos register or survey checked for the work area
Exclusion zone below the work and public kept out
Weather checked: water, shade and rest breaks planned
Wind and weather checked; stop work limits agreed
First aider, first aid kit and emergency number (000) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: steel cap boots, safety harness and lanyard, hard hat, cut-resistant gloves

The safe sequence of work

Check the asbestos register and get any asbestos roof removed by a licensed removalist first
Check the weather and power lines, and plan the crane, hoist and skip bin positions
Erect full perimeter scaffold edge protection, a waste chute and an exclusion zone below
Strip the old roof in sections so the building stays covered if rain comes
Lower waste in the chute or by crane, never throw it off
Check and repair the roof framing, guarding any gaps
Install safety mesh, sarking and battens
Land new roofing materials by crane or hoist, spreading loads across the frame
Lay the new roof, taking breaks in heat and sun
Fit flashings, ridge capping, gutters and downpipes
Clean the roof and site, then dismantle scaffold once the roof is signed off

Hazards to watch on re-roofing

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

Step 4Falling through a fragile roof or skylightA worker steps on a skylight, clear sheet or old fibre cement roof and falls through to the floor below.

Step 2, 5, 8Crane and lifting failureA load falls or swings, or the crane tips, crushing workers under or near the lift.

Step 10Angle grinder injuriesThe disc shatters, binds or kicks back, causing deep cuts to legs and hands or eye injuries.

Step 3, 11Scaffold collapse or fall from scaffoldA scaffold that is badly built, overloaded or altered collapses or tips, or a worker falls from an unguarded platform.

Step 9Sun exposure (UV)Long hours in the sun cause sunburn, eye damage and skin cancer.

Step 2Contact with overhead power linesA ladder, EWP, crane, tipper or long length of material touches or gets close to an overhead line and electrocutes people.

Highest risk on re-roofing: Extreme before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the Australia 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely 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 use a ladder or stepladder?
Will you use an EWP (scissor lift or boom lift)?
Will you sand, scrape, cut or heat paint on a building built before 1997?
Will you cut, grind or drill concrete, brick, stone, tiles or fibre cement?
Will you remove, cut, repair or dispose of an existing engineered stone benchtop?

Licences and legal requirements in Australia

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

Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant

Equipment on this job that needs a licence, ticket or training:

Fixed scaffold: Scaffolding HRWL (SB, SI or SA) to erect, alter or dismantle where a fall of more than 4 m is possible
Crane (Franna or mobile): HRWL for the crane class (e.g. C2, CN, C6), plus Dogging licence (DG) where slinging needs judgement or the load is out of the operator's view
Telehandler: 3 t or less: trained and assessed (VOC). Over 3 t with a jib, hook or winch: High Risk Work Licence CN (non-slewing mobile crane). Slewing telehandlers: slewing crane licence (C2, C6 and up). Victoria: any non-slewing telehandler over 3 t needs CN or the Victorian telehandler licence

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 4.5 High risk work and Part 5.1 Plant; WHS Regulation 2011, Part 4.4 Falls; WHS Regulation 2011, Part 4.4 Falls, Part 5.1 Plant and r.225 (scaffolds); WHS Regulation 2011, Part 3.2 (falling objects); WHS Regulation 2011, Part 4.2 Hazardous manual tasks.

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 re-roofing?

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 re-roofing?

Usually Steel cap boots, Safety harness and lanyard, Hard hat, Cut-resistant gloves, Safety glasses, P2 dust mask, Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), Sun protection (brim hat, long sleeves, SPF 50+), Half-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters), Overalls, Work gloves, Hi-vis shirt or vest, Face shield. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More roofing SWMS

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Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkScaffold Safety Toolbox talkOverhead Power Lines Toolbox talkExtension Leads and Power Tools Toolbox talkAsbestos Awareness

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