Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement, or Roof Access SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage roof access risks before working on or accessing roof areas. 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 roof access activities.
Looking for a smart roof access SWMS you can download and edit? It comes pre-filled with roof access job steps, risk assessments, and method statements you can edit to match how your company works, and your crew can scan to sign on before starting and export the finished SWMS to PDF or CSV.
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What is Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement, or Roof Access SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, contractors, and workers to plan how roof access and roof work will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the roof area, access method, fall protection, fragile surfaces, weather conditions, exclusion zones, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with accessing and working on roofs, hazards such as falls from height, fragile roofing, skylights, poor weather, falling objects, unsafe ladders, unprotected edges, and difficult emergency access have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Roof Access SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, roofing, maintenance, solar installation, facilities management, utilities, and commercial building work where workers need to access roof areas.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement. However, Australian WHS laws require PCBUs to prepare a SWMS for high-risk construction work where applicable, and to document hazards, risks, and control measures involved in roof access, work at height, fall prevention, fragile surfaces, and access equipment. A Roof Access SWMS is a good document to support compliance to 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 work at height and fall risks
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers ladders, scaffolds, edge protection, and access equipment
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require risk controls for roof access and work at height
Staff Members and Parties that use Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Roof Access SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage roof work, inspections, maintenance, installation works, repairs, cleaning, or other activities that require workers to access roof areas. Here are examples of other common parties that use a Roof Access SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Roof workers and maintenance workers
- Solar installers and electricians
- Health and safety teams
- Contractors and subcontractors working at height
Business Risks Reduced by Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Roof Access SWMS puts controls in place for the hazards behind most roof access incidents, such as falls from height, fragile roof surfaces, poor access, unsafe ladders, falling objects, weather exposure, and unprotected edges. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks.
- Injuries, fatalities, and roof access-related incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and work at height requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from fall incidents, access issues, investigations, and site shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Roof Access SWMS helps businesses improve control over roof access, work at height, fall prevention, and access equipment. Here are some ways a well-designed Roof Access SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before accessing roof areas
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender-offer competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, roof workers, installers, and site teams
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a Roof Access SWMS?
A Roof Access SWMS should be prepared before roof access 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, site location, roof type, access method, and responsible persons
- Job steps for inspecting access points, setting up access equipment, accessing the roof, working near edges, moving materials, and exiting the roof area
- Hazards such as falls, fragile roof materials, skylights, weather exposure, falling objects, electrical services, and poor access
- Required controls such as edge protection, fall arrest systems, roof anchors, exclusion zones, safe ladders, harnesses, permits, and rescue arrangements
- Risk ratings, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
Why are Roof Access SWMS Important?
Roof Access SWMS are important because roof work can expose workers to serious fall risks, especially near edges, skylights, fragile surfaces, penetrations, and access points. This is critically important on construction, maintenance, solar, roofing, inspection, and repair projects where workers may need to access roofs with changing weather, limited access, or nearby electrical services.
Essentially, a Roof Access SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, access method, fall hazards, rescue arrangements, and safety controls have been reviewed before anyone accesses the roof. 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 Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Building effective Roof Access SWMS forms requires the right structure and information. In this section, we explain how to create your own SWMS forms from scratch.
Before starting your Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- Roof access scope and work areas must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Ladder, scaffold, and access equipment needs must be included.
- Fall, edge, weather, and fragile surface 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 Roof Access 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 roof access activities to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and roof access personnel
Define the Scope of Roof Access Works
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what roof access activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Roof Access SWMS:
- Roof area, level, or structure to be accessed
- Purpose of roof access, such as inspection, maintenance, installation, or repair
- Access method, such as scaffold, ladder, stair tower, EWP, or fixed access system
- Tools, materials, and equipment required for the task
- Exclusion zones, edge protection, and access control requirements
Assess Roof Access Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before roof access starts so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Falls from roof edges, ladders, openings, or access points
- Fragile roofing, skylights, penetrations, or incomplete roof areas
- Falling tools, materials, or equipment
- Contact with overhead power lines or electrical equipment
- Heat, sun exposure, wind, rain, slippery surfaces, or poor visibility
Record Safety Control Measures and Work Method
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:
- Fall prevention measures, such as edge protection, guardrails, covers, or scaffold
- Harness, anchor point, and fall arrest requirements, where required
- Roof access checks for ladders, scaffolds, EWPs, or fixed access systems
- Falling object controls, exclusion zones, and tool storage requirements
- Work sequence for access set-up, roof entry, work activity, roof exit, and pack-up
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Roof Access 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 confirmation 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 Roof Access SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Roof Access Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct roof access 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 or Automatic Single Day Weather capture
- Multi-line text field for Description of Work
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 roof access works. For simplicity, we recommend using multiple-choice selector fields for this section, with fields such as:
- Multiple-choice selector field for Project Scope
- Multiple-choice selector field for Possible Hazards
- Multiple-choice selector field for PPE Required, including Safety Harness
- 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 down the fibreglass extension ladder, full-body safety harness and lanyard, portable roof anchor system, 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
Create a Table for the Method Statement and Risk Assessment
Next, create the main SWMS table where users can record each roof access 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 Roof Access Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common roof access 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, roof assessment and access setup
- Row for Accessing and exiting the roof
- Row for Moving and working on the roof
- Row for Roof work during changing weather and completing roof access
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some roof access tasks may require extra job steps depending on rooftop mechanical and electrical plant, restricted access, sharp edges, falling tools, overhead services, or how workers move around existing rooftop equipment. We highly recommend creating an additional method statement table so users can add extra risk assessment rows when needed.
- Columns for Job Step, Potential Hazards, Likelihood, Consequence, Initial Risk Score, Controls, Residual Risk Score, and Person Responsible
- Dropdown fields for Likelihood and Consequence scores
- Risk Score = Likelihood Rating x Consequence Rating
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 outcome
End your Roof Access SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Roof Access 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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