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Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

SWMS Queensland: Safe Work Method Statements for QLD businesses.

Draft a Queensland-compliant SWMS in under 60 seconds. Every document cites the WHS Act 2011 (Qld), the WHS Regulation 2011, and the applicable Workplace Health and Safety Queensland codes of practice.

WHS legislation for Queensland

WHS Act

Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)

WHS Regulation

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)

Regulator

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

Duty-holder term

PCBU

Key codes of practice for Queensland SWMS

These codes are commonly cited in construction SWMS for Queensland. RAE IQ references the applicable codes at the clause level when drafting your document.

  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
  • Construction Work Code of Practice
  • Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice
  • Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
  • Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice

Three steps to a QLD SWMS.

  1. 1

    Tell us about the work

    A guided form captures the activity, site, people and conditions: the inputs your safety document actually needs.

  2. 2

    We ground the draft

    The drafting engine applies your state's WHS Act, regulations, codes of practice and any reference documents you've uploaded.

  3. 3

    You review and ship

    Edit anything, accept the rest, and download a signature-ready PDF with your logo and the right legislation citations.

SWMS Queensland — frequently asked questions

What legislation governs SWMS in Queensland?

In Queensland, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) govern SWMS. The Regulation (Schedule 3) lists the 18 high-risk construction work activities that require a SWMS before work begins. The regulator is Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).

Does Queensland use the term PCBU?

Yes. Queensland adopted the harmonised WHS model in 2012 and uses "Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking" (PCBU) as the duty holder. A PCBU is a broader category than "employer" — it includes principals, contractors, subcontractors, self-employed persons, and volunteer organisations that employ workers.

Which QLD codes of practice are most relevant for a construction SWMS?

The Construction Work Code of Practice, the How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice, and the Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice are most commonly cited in construction SWMS. Depending on the work, the Hazardous Manual Tasks, Confined Spaces, or Working in Heat codes may also apply.

Does RAE IQ cite WHSQ as the regulator for QLD SWMS?

Yes. Every SWMS, risk assessment and toolbox talk drafted for Queensland names Workplace Health and Safety Queensland as the regulator, references the WHS Act 2011 (Qld) and WHS Regulation 2011, and cites the applicable Queensland codes of practice.

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