Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This Demolition Safe Work Method Statement, or Demolition SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage demolition risks before dismantling, breaking, or removing structures and materials. 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 demolition activities.
Want a ready-to-use demolition SWMS your team can complete on any device? It comes pre-filled with demolition 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 Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A Demolition Safe Work Method Statement, or Demolition SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, contractors, and demolition workers to plan how demolition work will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the work area, demolition method, structural stability, service isolation, hazardous materials, plant and equipment, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the high-risk nature of demolition work, hazards such as structural collapse, falling materials, live or buried services, hazardous substances, dust, noise, moving plant, and unsafe access have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Demolition SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, civil works, renovation, infrastructure, utilities, and industrial projects where structures, surfaces, or services are being removed or altered.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a Demolition 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 demolition, dismantling, structural removal, plant use, and work near people or other trades. A Demolition 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 Demolition Work Code of Practice 2018 covers demolition hazards and controls
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require risk controls for demolition and high-risk construction work
- Local site and principal contractor requirements commonly require SWMS documents for demolition activities
Staff Members and Parties that use Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Demolition SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage demolition, strip-out, dismantling, structural removal, site clearing, or plant-based removal work. Here are examples of other common parties that use a Demolition SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Demolition workers
- Plant operators
- Health and safety teams
- Contractors and subcontractors carrying out demolition work
Business Risks Reduced by Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Demolition SWMS puts controls in place for the hazards behind most demolition incidents, such as structural collapse, falling materials, dust exposure, noise, plant interaction, live services, manual handling, and unsafe exclusion zones. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks.
- Injuries, fatalities, and demolition-related incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and demolition safety requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from demolition incidents, emergency works, investigations, and site shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Demolition SWMS helps businesses improve control over demolition work, structural removal, plant movement, and high-risk construction activities. Here are some ways a well-designed Demolition SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before demolition work begins
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, demolition workers, plant operators, and site teams
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a Demolition SWMS?
A Demolition SWMS should be prepared before demolition 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, demolition method, work area, and responsible persons
- Job steps for site isolation, service disconnection, structural assessment, demolition, material handling, waste removal, and clean-up
- Hazards such as structural collapse, falling materials, silica dust, asbestos, live services, noise, vibration, and mobile plant interaction
- Required controls such as exclusion zones, engineering checks, service isolation, dust suppression, PPE, traffic management, and licensed asbestos removal where required
- Risk ratings, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
Why are Demolition SWMS Important?
Demolition SWMS are important because demolition work can expose workers, nearby trades, and the public to serious risks from unstable structures, falling debris, hazardous materials, and changing site conditions. This is critically important on construction, renovation, civil, and industrial projects where demolition may involve services, temporary works, plant, asbestos-containing materials, or work near occupied areas.
Essentially, a Demolition SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, demolition sequence, structural risks, service isolation, 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 Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Creating your own Demolition SWMS forms doesn’t have to be complicated. In this section, we break down the process step by step.
Before starting your Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- Demolition scope and work area must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Structural condition and service isolation needs must be included.
- Exclusion zones, debris, dust, and PPE 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 Demolition 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 demolition works to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and demolition personnel
Define the Scope of Demolition Works
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what demolition activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Demolition SWMS:
- Type of demolition work being completed
- Structure, area, or building element being demolished
- Demolition method, tools, plant, and equipment required
- Access points, exclusion zones, and waste removal areas
- Nearby workers, public areas, services, or structures that may be affected
Assess Demolition Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before demolition work starts so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Structural collapse or unplanned movement of building elements
- Falling debris, tools, materials, or unstable sections
- Live services such as electricity, gas, water, or communications lines
- Hazardous materials such as asbestos, silica dust, lead paint, or chemicals
- Interaction with mobile plant, vehicles, workers, or nearby public areas
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:
- Service isolation, disconnection, and verification requirements
- Exclusion zones, barricades, signs, and falling object controls
- Demolition sequence and temporary support requirements
- Dust suppression, waste handling, and hazardous material controls
- Work sequence for set-up, demolition, debris removal, clean-up, and site handover
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Demolition 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 Demolition SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Demolition Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct demolition 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 demolition 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 excavator, demolition breaker, dust suppression unit, 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 demolition 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 Demolition Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common demolition 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, site setup and demolition inspection
- Row for Removing fixtures, linings and non-structural components
- Row for Structural demolition and removal of walls, floors or structural elements
- Row for Removing demolition waste, loading debris and clearing the work area
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some demolition tasks may require extra job steps depending on mechanical demolition work, asbestos or hazardous material removal, structural condition, service isolation, adjacent structures, or demolition plant being used. 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 Demolition SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Demolition 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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