Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This Ladder Safe Work Method Statement, or Ladder SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage ladder use before accessing elevated areas or completing short-duration work at height. Easily select the scope of work, possible hazards, and required PPE from a list of choices, then work through a ready-to-use list of job steps, risk assessments, and method statements for common ladder activities.
Looking for a ladder SWMS sample to help guide your own work method statement? Workers scan and sign on from their phone instead of chasing down a clipboard, with the risk matrix guide on screen while they rate each hazard.
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What is Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A Ladder Safe Work Method Statement, or Ladder SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, and workers to plan how ladder work will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the work area, ladder type, ladder condition, access height, ground conditions, overhead hazards, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with ladder use, hazards such as falls from height, unstable set-up, overreaching, damaged ladders, poor ground conditions, falling objects, and contact with electrical services have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Ladder SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, maintenance, utilities, facilities management, warehousing, roofing, and industrial projects where ladders are used for access or short-duration work at height.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a Ladder Safe Work Method Statement. However, Australian WHS laws require PCBUs to prepare a SWMS for high-risk construction work and to document the hazards, risks, and control measures involved in ladder use and work at height. A Ladder SWMS is a good document to support compliance with this.
- Model WHS Regulations require a SWMS for high-risk construction work in Australia
- Safe Work Australia’s Construction Work Code of Practice covers SWMS requirements for high-risk construction work
- Safe Work Australia’s Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2018 covers ladder-related fall risks
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require SWMS documents before high-risk construction work begins
- Local site and principal contractor requirements commonly require SWMS documents for ladder activities
Staff Members and Parties that use Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Ladder SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage portable ladders, fixed ladders, temporary access, elevated work areas, or other work at height activities. Here are examples of other common parties that use a Ladder SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Workers using ladders
- Health and safety teams
- Foremen and crew leaders
- Contractors and subcontractors working at height
Business Risks Reduced by Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Ladder SWMS puts controls in place for the hazards behind most falls from height. Such hazardslike incorrect ladder selection, poor set-up, damaged ladders, overreaching, and unsafe access. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks:
- Injuries, fatalities, and ladder-related incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and work at height requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from incidents, investigations, and site shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Ladder SWMS helps businesses improve control over ladder-related work and work at height activities. Here are some ways a well-designed Ladder SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before using ladders or temporary access equipment
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender-offer competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, safety teams, workers, and subcontractors
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a Ladder SWMS?
A Ladder SWMS should be prepared before ladder work is carried out as part of high risk construction work. While exact requirements can vary across Australian states, territories, projects, and principal contractor requirements, there are some core elements that are typically included that you should know about:
- Scope of work, work area, ladder type, and responsible persons
- Job steps for selecting, inspecting, setting up, using, moving, and storing the ladder
- Hazards such as falls, unstable setup, overreaching, damaged ladders, electrical contact, and falling objects
- Required controls such as firm level footing, correct ladder angle, three points of contact, exclusion zones, and alternative access equipment where needed
- Risk ratings, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
Why are Ladder SWMS Important?
Ladder SWMS are important because ladder work can expose workers to serious fall risks, especially when work is done above two metres, near openings, close to live services, or on uneven ground. This is critically important on construction, maintenance, fit-out, and civil sites where ladders may be used for access, inspection, installation, and short-duration tasks.
Essentially, a Ladder SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, fall hazards, ladder setup, and safety controls have been reviewed before the task begins. Additionally, it gives project management teams clear documentation of the due diligence performed, supporting consultation, site coordination, and compliance with Australian WHS requirements for high risk construction work.
How to Create a Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (Customise for any ladder)
Creating your own Ladder SWMS forms doesn’t have to be complicated. In this section, we break down the process step by step.
Before starting your Ladder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- Ladder tasks and work areas must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Ladder type, rating, and inspection needs must be included.
- Set-up, access, and fall controls must be noted.
- Worker sign-off and SWMS review requirements must be recorded.
Start with Project and SWMS Information
First, you need to place high-level general information at the beginning of your Ladder Safe Work Method Statement to help establish context for the work to be done. Here are some examples of core elements that you can use:
- Project name and site location
- SWMS title and document reference number
- Description of ladder work to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and ladder users
Define the Scope of Ladder Work
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what ladder activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Ladder SWMS:
- Type of ladder being used
- Work area where the ladder will be set up
- Task to be completed from the ladder
- Access and egress requirements
- Tools, materials, and equipment required for the task
Assess Ladder Work Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before ladder work starts so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Falls from height or loss of balance
- Unstable, damaged, or unsuitable ladders
- Slippery, uneven, or soft ground conditions
- Overreaching, carrying materials, or poor work positioning
- Contact with live electrical equipment or overhead power lines
Record Safety Control Measures
After the hazards are identified, you will want to determine the appropriate safety control measures to reduce risks for your workers and nearby site personnel. Be sure to document the following information in your SWMS:
- Ladder selection, height, and load rating requirements
- Ladder inspection before use
- Stable footing, secure placement, and correct ladder angle
- Three points of contact while climbing
- Exclusion zones or barricades around ladder work areas
Set Out the Work Method and Monitoring Requirements
Next, you will want to outline the work method so workers understand the safe sequence for completing ladder work. This section should also explain how the work will be checked while it is underway.
- Work area inspection before ladder set-up
- Ladder set-up, climbing, task completion, and pack-up steps
- Process for moving tools and materials safely
- Communication method between workers and supervisors
- Stop work triggers for damaged ladders, poor weather, unstable ground, or unsafe work positioning
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Ladder SWMS with review, approval, and worker sign-off to confirm that the work method and safety control measures have been communicated before work starts. Here are some examples of fields you can include:
- Names and roles of reviewers and approvers
- Date of review and approval
- Worker acknowledgement that the SWMS has been read and understood
- Supervisor or person in charge sign-off
- Revision number and next review trigger
Frequently asked questions
How to create SWMS process in an App or Software System
A well-designed SWMS process ensures workers clearly understand the hazards, risks, and required control measures to perform high-risk work, while enabling your team to easily document, review, and share safe work procedures before work begins.
40 minutes
Medium difficulty
Start your Ladders SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Ladders Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct ladder activity. This section should use simple text and date fields for fields such as:
- Text field or Automatic Form Counter for SWMS Reference Number
- Date selector field for Date
- Text fields for Project Name and Address
- Text field for Single Day Weather
- Multi-line text field for Description of Works
Create a Section for Scope of Work, Hazards, and PPE
Next, create a section where users can select the project scope, possible hazards, and required PPE for the ladder works. For simplicity, we recommend using multiple-choice selector fields for this section, with fields such as:
- Multiple-choice selector field for Project Scope, including Civil & Structural and Electrical
- Multiple-choice selector field for Possible Hazards, including Electricity, Falling Objects, Heights, Manual Handling, Moving Plant / Machinery, Site Housekeeping, Slips / Trips / Falls, Traffic, and Underground / Overhead Services
- Multiple-choice selector field for PPE Required, including Eye Protection, Hand Protection, Hard Hat, Illuminating Safety Vest, and Safety Footwear
- Conditional text field for other hazards or PPE not listed in the pre-filled choices
Create a Table for Material and Equipment Information
Users will next need to list the ladders and other access equipment required for the task. We highly recommend using a table for this section so each item can be recorded with its make, asset details, and required training information.
- First column for Material or Equipment Name
- Second column for Make or Model
- Third column for Registration or Asset ID, if any
- Fourth column for Required License or Training, if any
- Rows for fibreglass extension ladders, fibreglass platform step ladders, and other task-specific access equipment
Create a Table for the Method Statement and Risk Assessment
Next, create the main SWMS table where users can record each ladder job step, hazards, risk scores, controls, and responsible persons. We highly recommend using a table for this section, with the following formatting for the columns:
- First column for Job Step
- Second column for Potential Hazards
- Third column for Initial Risk Score
- Fourth column for Controls
- Fifth column for Residual Risk Score
- Sixth column for Person Responsible
Add Pre-filled Method Statement Rows for Ladder Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common ladder job steps in the attached SWMS. These rows help users complete the form faster while still allowing the SWMS to be adjusted for the actual site task.
- Row for Pre-start planning, work area setup and ladder inspection
- Row for Using extension ladders for access
- Row for Positioning and securing the ladder
- Row for Ascending and descending the ladder
- Row for Performing work from the ladder
- Row for Working near electrical services, openings or traffic areas
- Row for Relocating, lowering and storing ladders
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some ladder tasks may require extra job steps depending on access corridors, doorways, pedestrian routes, emergency access, or traffic around the work area. We highly recommend creating an additional method statement table so users can add extra risk assessment rows when needed.
- Additional row for Using ladders within active access corridors and doorways
- Columns for Job Step, Potential Hazards, Likelihood, Consequence, Initial Risk Score, Controls, Residual Risk Score, and Person Responsible
- Text fields for controls covering access route checks, barricades, door control, alternative pedestrian routes, emergency access, spotter use, tool security, and ladder removal after the task is complete
- Dropdown fields for Likelihood and Consequence scores
Create a Section for Risk Matrix Guidance
Next, add a risk matrix section as a guide for users to assess initial and residual risk scores for any additional job steps they may add. We highly recommend using the following fields and features to help guide users:
- Pre-filled or photo of the Risk Matrix table showing Likelihood, Consequence, and Risk Score levels
- Pre-filled text field for Consequence ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled text field for Likelihood ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled guide for residual risk actions, including Low, Moderate, High, and Catastrophic risk outcomes
End your Ladders SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Ladders Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with worker confirmation and sign-off fields for the responsible parties. If your app or software allows, use scan-to-sign and automatic e-signature fields to keep the sign-off process digital.
- A scan to sign-on table for workers’ sign-off
- E-signature field for Supervisor Sign-off
- E-signature field for Project Manager Sign-off
- Automatic date and time stamp fields for each sign-off
About the author
Ron Gadugdug
Engineering Content Writer
Education:
Cebu Institute of Technology - University - Civil Engineering
Bio:
Ron is a Civil Engineer with 6 years of experience in the construction industry, primarily focused on quantity surveying, cost estimation, project management, quality control, contract administration, and property & engineering insurance. At Sitemate, he writes about practical applications of evolving technologies and digital solutions that support construction professionals in improving efficiency, compliance, and project delivery across the built world.
Project Details:
Quantity Surveying & Cost Engineering
Performed quantity take-offs of several high-rise and horizontal structures using sheets and applications like Revit and Bluebeam Revu, and spearheaded trials with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
Project Management & Consultancy
Coordinated with project management teams during the construction of local projects such as a 4-tower hotel & resort, a 22 storey condominium project, and a school dormitory project.
Contract Administration
Assisted during contract biddings and negotiations with general contractors and sub-contractors, and oversaw progress reporting, billings, and payment.
Property & Engineering Insurance
Dedicated non-life claims handler, overseeing property and contractor all-risk insurance claims, risk management, and bonds.
Version History:
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