Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement, or Electrical Works SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage electrical work risks before installing, testing, repairing, or maintaining electrical systems. 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 electrical work activities.
Looking for a smart electrical works SWMS you can download and edit? It comes pre-filled with electrical 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 Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
An Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement, or Electrical Works SWMS form, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, and electricians to plan how to safely conduct electrical works. Particularly, this SWMS usually includes details on the work area, electrical systems, isolation points, testing requirements, tools, access equipment, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with electrical work, hazards such as electric shock, arc flash, live services, falls from height, fire, damaged equipment, manual handling injuries, and poor isolation have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Electrical Works SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, maintenance, utilities, facilities management, residential building, commercial projects, and industrial sites where electrical systems are installed, tested, repaired, or maintained.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for an Electrical Works 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 electrical work, isolation, testing, live services, temporary power, and work near other trades. An Electrical Works 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 guidance covers electrical risks, isolation, testing, and working near live electrical parts
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 covers electrical installation safety requirements in Australia and New Zealand
- AS/NZS 3012:2019 covers electrical installations on construction and demolition sites
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require risk controls for electrical work and construction activities
Staff Members and Parties that use Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
An Electrical Works SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage electrical installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance, temporary power, cable works, or work near live services. Here are examples of other common parties that use an Electrical Works SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Electricians and electrical apprentices
- Test and commissioning workers
- Health and safety teams
- Contractors and subcontractors carrying out electrical work
Business Risks Reduced by Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
An Electrical Works SWMS puts controls in place for the hazards behind most electrical incidents, such as electric shock, arc flash, burns, live services, incorrect isolation, damaged cables, temporary power risks, and work near other trades. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks:
- Injuries, fatalities, and electrical-related incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and electrical safety requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from electrical incidents, equipment damage, investigations, and site shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Electrical Works SWMS helps businesses improve control over electrical work, isolation, testing, temporary power, and work near live services. Here are some ways a well-designed Electrical Works SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before electrical work begins
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, electricians, testing workers, and site teams
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should Be Included in an Electrical Works SWMS?
An Electrical Works SWMS should be prepared before electrical work is carried out as part of high-risk construction work or on sites with higher-risk conditions. 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, electrical task, work area, and responsible persons
- Job steps for isolation, lockout, testing, installation, connection, commissioning, clean-up, and handover
- Hazards such as electric shock, arc flash, live services, working at height, confined spaces, excavation, fire, and damaged equipment
- Required controls such as licensed electrical work, isolation, test-before-touch, RCD protection, permits, PPE, exclusion zones, and emergency response
- Risk ratings, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
What Hazards are Common During Electrical Work?
Electrical work can expose workers to serious hazards because electrical systems may involve live circuits, stored energy, damaged equipment, and changing site conditions. This is critically important on construction, fit-out, maintenance, civil, and industrial sites where electrical work may be carried out near other trades, temporary power, wet areas, ceiling spaces, or confined spaces.
Common hazards include electric shock, arc flash, burns, fire, contact with live services, damaged cords, faulty equipment, and poor isolation. Additionally, electrical work may also involve secondary risks such as falls from ladders or EWPs, manual handling, restricted access, and emergency response delays if the work area is not properly controlled.
How to Create an Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Building effective Electrical Works 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 Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- Electrical work scope and work areas must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Isolation, lockout, and test requirements must be included.
- PPE, tools, permits, and emergency 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 Electrical Works 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 electrical works to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and electrical workers
Define the Scope of Electrical Works
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what electrical activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Electrical Works SWMS:
- Type of electrical work being completed
- Work area, switchboard, circuit, service, or installation location
- Tools, testing equipment, materials, and components required for the task
- Isolation, access, and permit requirements
- Nearby workers, services, plant, or public areas that may be affected
Assess Electrical Work Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before electrical work starts so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Electric shock, burns, arc flash, or fire
- Contact with live electrical parts, cables, switchboards, or services
- Incorrect isolation, failed testing, or unexpected power supply
- Damaged tools, leads, cords, or testing equipment
- Working at height, confined areas, wet conditions, or poor access
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:
- Electrical isolation, lockout, tagout, and test-before-touch requirements
- Competency requirements for electrical workers and supervisors
- Inspection of tools, leads, meters, PPE, and testing equipment
- Barricades, signs, exclusion zones, and access control measures
- Work sequence for set-up, isolation, testing, electrical work, checks, re-connection, and handover
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Electrical Works 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 Electrical Works SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Electrical Works Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct electrical fit-out 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 electrical 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 Ear Protection
- 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 electrical multimeter, lockout and tagout kit, rotary hammer drill with dust extraction, 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 electrical works 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 Electrical Works
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common electrical job steps to your SWMS form. 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 set-up and electrical safety checks
- Row for Isolating, testing and proving electrical circuits are isolated
- Row for Installing, terminating and modifying electrical wiring and equipment
- Row for Testing and commissioning electrical installations
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some electrical works may require extra job steps depending on specific site conditions. 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 Electrical Works SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Electrical Works 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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