Safe Work Method Statement

Switchboard upgrade & split system circuit

Sample Electrical Pty Ltd · ABN 12 345 678 901

Draft

Review before use

Drafted from a short description — the person responsible must check it before work starts. Confirm or fix:

Business address — not provided
Crew: Liam Kerr is second worker and was consulted
Licences held: SA electrical worker's licence (Dan), White Card (both), working at heights
House age / panel type — asbestos assumed possible
SA Power Networks service-fuse withdrawal booked
Whether solar PV or a battery is connected
Access equipment for the 2.4 m bracket (mobile scaffold vs ladder)
Dan Rossi is first aider and the kit is in the van
Risk ratings — confirm they reflect your experience of this work

Work site14 Example Ave, Marion SA 5043

Site statusOccupied — 2 adults, 1 child, dog (kept inside)

Start / duration6 Oct 2026 · 1 day

ContactDan Rossi · 0400 000 000

Business addressCHECK: not provided

LegislationWHS Regulations 2012 (SA)

Licences / ticketsSA electrical worker's licence; White Card; working at heights CHECK: confirm held

PPE (minimum)Safety boots, eye protection, Class 00 insulating gloves, arc-rated shirt, P2 respirator

High risk construction work

1 Falls over 2 m (step 6) · 5 Asbestos (steps 2, 4) · 12 Energised electrical (steps 3, 4, 7)

Job steps, hazards and controls

Job step	Hazards and risks	Control measures
1. Arrive, brief occupants and assess	Occupants, children or pets entering work area → trips, contact with exposed parts Unexpected site conditions (damaged board, roof access) → work proceeds unsafely	ISOBarricade switchboard area and roof access with bollards/tape; agree no-go zone with occupants ADMINWalk the site before unloading; confirm scope and switchboard location with homeowner ADMINTell occupants when power will be off and for how long
2. Inspect switchboard backing for asbestosHigh risk work: 5 Asbestos	Meter panel may contain asbestos (common in pre-1990 SA homes) → inhaling fibres if drilled or broken	ELIMDo not drill, cut or break the existing panel; if replacement needed, SA Power Networks / licensed asbestos removalist removes it ADMINTreat any black/brown compressed-fibre board as asbestos unless tested CHECK: confirm house age / panel type PPEP2 disposable respirator available if panel must be handled
3. Isolate supply and prove de-energisedHigh risk work: 12 Electrical	Contact with live parts → electric shock, arc flash, death Supply re-energised by others while working	ISOIsolate at main switch; arrange SAPN service-fuse withdrawal for board replacement CHECK: confirm SAPN booking ISOLock out and tag isolation point; keep the key on you ADMINTest-before-touch with a proved voltage tester (prove–test–prove) on every conductor PPEInsulating gloves and arc-rated clothing for any testing near live parts
4. Replace switchboard and fit new circuitHigh risk work: 12 Electrical · 5 Asbestos	Residual live conductors (consumer mains, solar/battery backfeed) → shock Sharp edges, manual handling of new enclosure → cuts, strain	ISOIsolate and tag any solar inverter / battery (AC and DC) before opening board CHECK: confirm if solar/battery present ENGInsulated tools and shrouding on any conductor that cannot be de-energised PPECut-resistant gloves when handling enclosures and cable tray
5. Work in roof space to run cable	Heat in roof space (often 45 °C+ in summer) → heat stress Falling through ceiling / off ladder → fractures Existing live cables, vermin, loose-fill insulation → shock, bites, irritation	ADMINSchedule roof-space work before 11 am on hot days ENGWalk only on joists; use crawl boards across ceilings; portable LED lighting ADMINMaximum 20 minutes in the roof space then a break with water; buddy stays at the manhole PPEP2 respirator, long sleeves, gloves, eye protection
6. Mount outdoor unit bracket at 2.4 m and run conduitHigh risk work: 1 Falls over 2 m	Fall from ladder while drilling/fixing → head injury, fractures Dropped tools/bracket → struck-by injury to people below	SUBUse a mobile scaffold or platform ladder rather than a single-stile ladder CHECK: confirm access equipment ENGLadder footed on firm level ground, secured at top, 1:4 angle; three points of contact ISOExclusion zone below work area; no occupants within 2 m ADMINTool lanyards; bracket lifted by second worker, not carried up the ladder
7. Terminate, test and re-energiseHigh risk work: 12 Electrical	Incorrect connection → shock or fire on re-energising Re-energising while someone is still working	ADMINComplete insulation resistance, polarity and earth continuity tests before energising ADMINVerbal all-clear from every worker; remove own lock and tag last ADMINIssue Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to owner
8. Clean up and hand over	Offcuts, dust, open manhole → trips and falls for occupants	ADMINRemove all waste and offcuts from site ADMINClose manhole, remove barricades last, walk the site with homeowner and explain new board

Controls, most to least effective: ELIM eliminate · SUB substitute · ISO isolate · ENG engineering · ADMIN administrative · PPE protective equipment

Worker sign-on

By signing I confirm this SWMS has been explained to me, I understand it, and I will follow it. I will stop work and tell my supervisor if I can't.

Name	Company	Licence / ticket no.	Signature	Date

Safe Work Method Statement

Switchboard upgrade & split system circuit

High risk construction work

Job steps, hazards and controls

Worker sign-on

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