Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This Forklift Safe Work Method Statement, or Forklift SWMS, gives operators and supervisors a structured way to assess and control forklift risks before any load is moved, lifted, or placed. Select the scope of work, applicable hazards, and required PPEs from the prebuilt lists and then work through the job steps and risk assessments already mapped to standard. No blank page, no starting from scratch.
Looking for a Forklift SWMS with built-in matrix guide with risk ratings? This SWMS documents the procedures that matter the most: pre-start, traffic management, load handling, revering, loading, parking, and shutdown. Keep risk ratings consistent across the crew and use the scan-to-sign section to capture worker sign-on before work even begins.
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What is Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A Forklift Safe Work Method Statement, or Forklift SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, and forklift operators to plan how forklift operations will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the work area, forklift type, load characteristics, travel paths, pedestrian interaction, traffic controls, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with forklift operations, hazards such as unstable loads, rollovers, collisions, struck-by incidents, blind spots, reversing plant, uneven ground, and pedestrian interaction have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Forklift SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, retail distribution, and industrial sites where forklifts are used to move, lift, or stack materials.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a Forklift 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 forklift operations. A Forklift 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 guidance covers forklift operation, traffic management, and pedestrian safety
- 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 forklift operations
Staff Members and Parties that use Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Forklift SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage forklift operations, material handling, loading zones, warehouses, laydown areas, and mobile plant movement. The roles that typically rely on it include:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Forklift operators and licensed high-risk work (HRW) holders
- Spotters and traffic controllers
- Health and safety representatives and HSEQ teams
- Contractors and subcontractors working near forklift operations
- Warehouse and logistics coordinators
Business Risks Reduced by Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Forklift SWMS puts controls in place for the hazard causing the most harm in a mobile plant like struck-by incidents, rollovers, dropped or unstable loads, restricted visibility, pedestrian interaction, and unsave revering. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks:
- Injuries, fatalities, and plant damage from forklift incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and mobile plant safety requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from incidents, damaged materials, inspections, and shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Forklift SWMS does more than manage risk. It strengthens how your business runs mobile plant, material handling, and loading operations:
- Improve worker confidence around forklift operations and loading areas
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, operators, spotters, and site teams
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a Forklift SWMS?
A Forklift SWMS should be prepared before forklift operations are 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, forklift type, and responsible persons
- Job steps for pre-start checks, loading, unloading, travelling, reversing, refuelling or charging, and parking
- Hazards such as rollovers, struck-by incidents, falling loads, blind spots, unstable ground, and pedestrian interaction
- Required controls such as traffic management, exclusion zones, speed limits, spotters, seatbelts, warning devices, and load limits
- Risk ratings, PPE, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
Why Do You Need a Forklift SWMS?
Forklift SWMS are important because forklifts are powered mobile plant that can create serious risks when operating near workers, materials, delivery areas, storage zones, and other vehicles. This is critically important on construction, warehouse, logistics, civil, and industrial sites where forklifts may move heavy loads through shared or changing work areas.
Essentially, a Forklift SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, hazards, traffic controls, and emergency procedures 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 Safe Work Method Statement for Forklift (Editable Forklift SWMS)
Creating your own Forklift SWMS forms doesn’t have to be complicated. In this section, we break down the process step by step.
Before starting your Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), the following prerequisites should be ready. Each one feeds directly into a section of the form, so gathering them up front keeps the process quick and makes sure nothing critical is left out:
- Project and site details, including the client, location, and responsible contractor
- Forklift type and work area, covering make, model, capacity, and where it will operate
- Hazards, risks, and control measures for each step of the high-risk construction work involved
- Operator competency and licensing requirements, including training and verification records
- Traffic, pedestrian, and load handling controls such as exclusion zones and spotters, plus worker sign-off and review requirements
Start with Project and SWMS Information
First, you need to place high-level general information at the beginning of your Forklift 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 forklift activities to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and forklift operators
Define the Scope of Forklift Operations
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what forklift activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Forklift SWMS:
- Type of forklift being used
- Materials, loads, or pallets being moved
- Loading, unloading, stacking, or transport areas
- Site routes, access points, and exclusion zones
- Attachments, pallets, stillages, or lifting aids required for the task
Assess Forklift Operation Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before forklift operations start so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Pedestrians working near forklift routes
- Blind spots, tight corners, or congested work areas
- Unstable, heavy, or raised loads
- Uneven ground, ramps, or slippery surfaces
- Contact with racking, structures, vehicles, or other mobile plant
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:
- Operator competency and pre-start forklift checks
- Seatbelt or operator restraint use, where fitted
- Site speed limits and designated forklift routes
- Spotters, traffic controls, or exclusion zones, where required
- Load capacity checks and safe load handling requirements
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 forklift operations. This section should also explain how the work will be checked while it is underway.
- Site inspection before forklift work begins
- Forklift start-up, loading, movement, unloading, and shut-down steps
- Communication method between operators, spotters, and ground workers
- Inspection points for routes, loads, and work area conditions
- Stop work triggers for poor visibility, unsafe ground, unstable loads, or traffic control issues
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Forklift 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 Forklift SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Forklift Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct forklift 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 forklift 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
- Multiple-choice selector field for Possible Hazards, including Falling Objects, Fire & Explosion, Manual Handling, Moving Plant / Machinery, Noise / Vibration, Site Housekeeping, Slips / Trips / Falls, Traffic, and Weather Conditions
- Multiple-choice selector field for PPE Required, including Ear Protection, 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 forklift, handled materials, communication equipment, and other 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 counterbalance forklift, palletised construction materials, two-way radio, and other task-specific equipment
Create a Table for the Method Statement and Risk Assessment
Next, create the main SWMS table where users can record each forklift 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 Forklift Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common forklift 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 forklift inspection
- Row for Accessing, starting and manoeuvring forklift
- Row for Picking up and securing loads
- Row for Transporting loads around the worksite
- Row for Loading and unloading trucks or storage areas
- Row for Operating on ramps, slopes and uneven surfaces
- Row for Parking, refuelling or recharging and shutting down forklift
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some forklift tasks may require extra job steps depending on slab edges, excavations, open penetrations, site layout, ground conditions, or loading areas. We highly recommend creating an additional method statement table so users can add extra risk assessment rows when needed.
- Additional row for Operating near slab edges, excavations and open penetrations
- Columns for Job Step, Potential Hazards, Likelihood, Consequence, Initial Risk Score, Controls, Residual Risk Score, and Person Responsible
- Text fields for controls covering slab edge checks, physical barriers, exclusion zones, safe approach distances, surface suitability, spotter use, and stop-work requirements
- 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 Forklift SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Forklift 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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