Carpentry · Australia

SWMS for timber floor installation

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from Safe Work Australia and state regulator guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated 9 November 2026

A SWMS is required by law if timber floor installation includes any high risk construction work, such as working where someone could fall more than 2 metres. Many principal contractors ask for one either way.

It must list the hazards, the controls and how they will be put in place, monitored and reviewed, and the workers must be consulted and sign before starting. The main hazards are fire from hot works, saw cuts and kickback, wood and MDF dust and loud noise.

Make this SWMS now Word template PDF

SWMS example: timber floor installation

This is a complete SWMS for timber floor installation, with 6 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

Timber flooring installation and sanding · Carpentry · Example

Document SWMS-001 · Rev 1

High risk construction work covered

None for this task on its own. Tick any that apply on your site.

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Clear the room and agree access with occupants	Working in an occupied home or building Slips and trips	Medium	Plan noisy, dusty or risky work for when the building is empty. Eliminate Close off the work area with barriers, plastic sheeting or locked doors, and put up signs. Isolate Keep fire exits and paths clear at all times. Administrative Tell occupants before you turn off power, water or gas, and before noisy or dusty work. Administrative Lock away tools, chemicals and materials each day, out of reach of children. Administrative Clean up dust and debris at the end of each day. Administrative Plan walkways and keep them clear of materials, hoses and leads. Eliminate Run leads and hoses overhead on hooks or stands, or along walls, not across walkways. Engineering Fill or cover holes, and lay boards or mats on muddy access paths. Engineering Clean up offcuts, packaging and spills as you go, not at the end of the day. Administrative Keep work areas, stairs and access paths well lit. Administrative Wear safety boots with good grip, laced up. PPE	Low
2	Cut boards with dust extraction	Saw cuts and kickback Wood and MDF dust Loud noise	High	Keep blade guards fitted and working, and use the riving knife on table saws. Engineering Use push sticks and clamps, and support long pieces so they do not pinch the blade. Engineering Use a sharp, undamaged blade made for the material. Administrative Stand to one side of the blade line, out of the kickback path. Administrative Let the blade stop fully before reaching in or putting the saw down. Administrative Buy pre-cut or pre-finished timber where you can. Substitute Cut outdoors or in a well-ventilated area away from others. Isolate Use saws and sanders with dust extraction connected to an M-class (or better) vacuum. Engineering Clean up with a vacuum, not a broom or compressed air. Administrative Wear a P2 dust mask for cutting and sanding. PPE Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Substitute Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Isolate Loud noise: see step 4 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
3	Lay and nail boards, working on knee pads	Nail gun injuries Repetitive work and awkward postures Lifting and carrying heavy loads	High	Use a nail gun with a sequential (single shot) trigger, not a contact or bump trigger. Substitute Disconnect the air or battery before clearing jams, adjusting or moving between work areas. Engineering Keep your free hand at least 30 cm from the nailing point. Administrative Never point the gun at anyone or carry it with your finger on the trigger. Administrative Train new users before they use a nail gun, and check for pipes, cables and metal behind the surface. Administrative Use tools that cut the effort: powered screwdrivers, long-handled tools and extension poles for overhead work. Substitute Set work up at waist height on benches or trestles where you can. Engineering Use light tools with good grips, and keep blades and bits sharp. Engineering Rotate tasks and take short breaks every hour on repetitive work. Administrative Warm up before heavy physical work and report aches and pains early. Administrative Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Eliminate Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Substitute Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or plant instead of carrying by hand. Engineering Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Administrative Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Administrative	Medium
4	Sand the floor with an extractor and empty bags often, as sanding dust can catch fire	Wood and MDF dust Loud noise Hand-arm and whole-body vibration Fire from hot works	Extreme	Wear safety glasses. PPE Wood and MDF dust: see step 2 for the full controls Administrative Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Substitute Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Isolate Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Engineering Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Administrative Keep exposure below 85 dB(A) over 8 hours. Give hearing tests to workers who often need hearing protection. Administrative Use low-vibration tools and methods, such as a breaker on an excavator instead of a hand jackhammer. Substitute Keep tools sharp and well maintained, and use anti-vibration handles and seats. Engineering Limit trigger time on high-vibration tools and rotate workers. Administrative Keep hands warm and dry, and take regular breaks. Administrative Use cold work methods where you can, such as bolting, press fittings or cutting with a saw instead of a torch. Eliminate Move anything that can burn at least 15 metres away (AS 1674.1), or protect it with fire blankets or screens. Isolate Use fire-resistant screens to stop sparks reaching people or gaps in walls and floors. Engineering Get a hot work permit before starting. Administrative	Medium
5	Apply coatings with good airflow and no ignition sources	Hazardous chemicals Flammable liquids and gases	High	Choose the least harmful product that does the job, for example water-based instead of solvent-based. Substitute Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, or use fans and extraction in closed rooms. Engineering Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use and keep a register of hazardous chemicals on site. Administrative Keep chemicals in labelled containers. Never decant into drink bottles. Administrative Store chemicals away from heat, food and drink, and keep products that react with each other apart. Administrative Have eye wash and a spill kit nearby, and wash hands before eating. Administrative Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles as listed on the SDS. PPE Use a respirator with the right cartridge if the SDS calls for one. PPE Use non-flammable or water-based products where you can. Substitute Keep ignition sources away: no smoking, no hot work and no running engines near flammables. Isolate Store fuels and solvents in approved, closed containers in a ventilated area away from the work. Engineering Refuel equipment outdoors with the engine off and cool. Administrative Keep only what you need for the day on site. Administrative Store gas cylinders upright, secured and outdoors. Administrative Keep a suitable fire extinguisher where flammables are used or stored. Administrative Wear chemical gloves and safety glasses when pouring or mixing. PPE	Medium
6	Dispose of oily rags safely and clean up	Fire and emergencies Poor housekeeping and waste	High	Provide fire extinguishers suited to the site, checked and easy to reach. Engineering Keep exits and escape routes clear and signed. Engineering Have a site emergency plan: alarm, exits, assembly point and emergency contacts. Administrative Keep a stocked first aid kit and at least one trained first aider on site. Administrative Know the site address and how emergency services get in. Call 000. Administrative Go through the emergency plan with every worker and visitor at induction. Administrative Keep flammable materials and rubbish away from exits and escape routes. Administrative Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Eliminate Put skip bins and waste chutes close to the work. Engineering Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE	Medium

PPE

Steel cap bootsKnee padsSafety glassesP2 dust maskHearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)Work glovesWelding glovesFace shieldOverallsChemical-resistant gloves (nitrile)Safety gogglesHalf-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters)

Plant and equipment

Nail gunDrop sawPower sanderH-class vacuumAir compressor

Permits and plans

Hot work permit

Emergency

Call 000. Add the nearest hospital, the assembly point and the first aider for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this SWMS.

Free SWMS template for timber floor installation

Word (.docx) and PDF, A4 landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this SWMS

Pre-start checklist for timber floor installation

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

SWMS read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
Hot work permit issued, extinguisher at hand, fire watch arranged
First aider, first aid kit and emergency number (000) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: steel cap boots, knee pads, safety glasses, P2 dust mask

The safe sequence of work

Clear the room and agree access with occupants
Cut boards with dust extraction
Lay and nail boards, working on knee pads
Sand the floor with an extractor and empty bags often, as sanding dust can catch fire
Apply coatings with good airflow and no ignition sources
Dispose of oily rags safely and clean up

Hazards to watch on timber floor installation

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 2, 4Wood and MDF dustSawing and sanding timber, MDF and treated wood makes fine dust that causes asthma, skin problems and some cancers.

Step 3Nail gun injuriesA nail gun fires by accident, or a nail goes through the timber or ricochets and hits the user or someone nearby.

Step 5Flammable liquids and gasesPetrol, solvents, thinners and LPG catch fire or explode when vapour reaches a spark, flame or hot surface.

Step 6Fire and emergenciesA fire, injury or other emergency happens and workers cannot get out, raise the alarm or get first aid in time.

Step 4Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.

Step 1Working in an occupied home or buildingResidents, staff or children wander into the work area and get hurt, or the work blocks exits or cuts off power or water while people are inside.

Highest risk on timber floor installation: Extreme before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the Australia 5 by 5 risk matrix (possible and catastrophic becomes unlikely and major).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

Will anyone work more than 2 metres off the ground?
Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a skylight, clear sheet, fibro or other fragile roofing?
Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?

Why SWMS get rejected

Principal contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

It is generic: another site address, tasks that are not on this job, or no sign it was reviewed for this site. WorkSafe WA says a generic SWMS may not meet the regulations unless it is reviewed and amended for the workplace.
The HRCW boxes are not ticked, or the ticks do not match the tasks (for example a roof job with no falls box ticked).
Falls are controlled only by "be careful", training or a harness, with no edge protection or scaffold and no reason why higher controls are not reasonably practicable.
Workers will clip on to a harness but there is no rescue plan for someone left hanging.
The "how controls are implemented, monitored and reviewed" part is missing, or it says the same thing on every row.
No worker sign-on, no person responsible for compliance, or a date given to the principal contractor that is before they actually received it.
Licence or White Card details are missing for workers operating plant or doing licensed high risk work.

Questions

Do I need a SWMS for timber floor installation?

Who signs the SWMS?

The person conducting the business (PCBU) or their supervisor prepares it with the workers, and every worker doing the high risk work signs to show they were consulted and understand it. Give a copy to the principal contractor before work starts.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this SWMS, and every revised version, until the high risk construction work is finished, where workers and inspectors can see it on site. If a notifiable incident happens during the work, keep it for at least 2 years after the incident.

What PPE is needed for timber floor installation?

Usually Steel cap boots, Knee pads, Safety glasses, P2 dust mask, Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), Work gloves, Welding gloves, Face shield, Overalls, Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile), Safety goggles, Half-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters). The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

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Related jobs in other trades

TilingWet Area WaterproofingAlso involves working in an occupied home or building DemolitionInternal Strip OutAlso involves hazardous chemicals ConcretingConcrete Slab PourAlso involves hand-arm and whole-body vibration ConcretingFormworkAlso involves saw cuts and kickback ConcretingConcrete Cutting and Core DrillingAlso involves working in an occupied home or building LandscapingTree RemovalAlso involves loud noise

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkWorking at Heights Toolbox talkHearing Protection and Noise Toolbox talkHand-Arm Vibration Toolbox talkWorking in Cold Weather

Blank SWMS template: free SWMS templates. Also for other countries: United Kingdom (RAMS) · United States (JHA) · Canada (FLHA)