Cladding & Fire Safety SWMS Templates

Yes, in most cases. Under WHS Regulation 2025 clause 291, work that involves a risk of falling more than 2 metres, work near energised electrical installations, or work involving hazardous chemicals is HRCW and requires a SWMS. Cladding rectification almost always involves façade-height falls and frequently disturbs combustible adhesives or sealants, so a documented SWMS is mandatory before work starts. The principal contractor must keep it accessible on site and review it after any incident or change.

The SWMS itself is governed by harmonised WHS Regulation 2025, so the safety document structure is consistent nationally. However, NSW work must also reflect Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 declarations and the Cladding Product Safety Panel register, while Victorian projects fall under Cladding Safety Victoria's rectification program and Building Act requirements. A robust SWMS template will accommodate both by referencing NCC 2022 Specification 7 and allowing state-specific compliance notes in the project context section.

A risk assessment SWMS controls worker safety during the inspection task — covering EWP use, abseil access, sampling dust and confined roof spaces — under WHS Reg 2025 Part 6.3. The audit report is a building compliance deliverable identifying combustible materials against NCC 2022 and AS 5113 criteria. Both are needed: the SWMS protects the inspector, while the audit informs the building owner's rectification obligations under state cladding legislation and AS 1530.1 material classification.

Fire door inspection to AS 1851-2012 is not automatically HRCW, but a SWMS or equivalent safe work procedure is still strongly recommended and often required by principal contractors and facility managers. Inspectors face hazards including occupied-building access, manual handling of heavy door leaves, electrical hold-open devices, and disruption to egress routes. Where inspection includes minor repair, hot work, or work above 2 metres on roller shutter fire doors, HRCW thresholds under WHS Reg 2025 are triggered and a SWMS becomes mandatory.

It must address hazardous chemical exposure from intumescent sealants and mortars (SDS-driven controls under WHS Reg 2025 Chapter 7), respirable dust from core-drilling, work at height in service risers, and hot work permits where torch-applied products are used. The SWMS should reference AS 4072.1 for service penetrations, AS 1530.4 fire-resistance testing, and the manufacturer's tested system drawings. Worker competency, ventilation, RPE selection to AS/NZS 1715, and segregation from other trades in the riser must all be specified.