• SWMS template · structural steel erection

Steel erection SWMS template Australia

Standing steel is three high-risk categories at once: a crane and suspended loads, riggers working over 2 m, and a frame that is not stable until the bracing is in. A steel erection SWMS has to describe the sequence, not just the hazards. This page shows what that looks like.

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When a steel erection SWMS is the right document

HRCW categories: risk of a fall greater than 2 m; structural alterations or repairs requiring temporary support to prevent collapse; work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant; and work on or near energised electrical services when the crane or EWP can reach a line. Model WHS regulation 291 and Schedule 3.

Portal frame sheds, mezzanines, awnings and canopies.
Structural steel for commercial buildings: columns, beams, bracing, purlins and girts.
Temporary bracing and guying until the frame is self-supporting.
Site welding of connections: covered on the hot works page but referenced here.

The document must describe the erection sequence and when the frame becomes stable. A hazard list without a sequence is the most common failure in steel SWMS reviews. Full list of categories on the HRCW checklist.

Filled example: portal frame shed erection, Toowoomba QLD

Six-bay portal frame machinery shed, 24 m span, 6 m knee height. Franna 20 t non-slewing crane, two riggers, one 13 m knuckle boom EWP. Power line along the road frontage, 15 m from the nearest column. Different job from the warehouse roof sheeting on the roofing SWMS page, which follows this frame.

Job / task: Erect 6-bay portal frame, 24 m span, columns, rafters, bracing, purlins
Site: Rural industrial lot, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Document: SWMS · HRCW: fall > 2 m, temporary support, mobile plant · example only
PPE: Hard hat, hi-vis, steel-caps, glasses, gloves, harness with twin lanyards in the EWP

Example layout — not a copy-paste legal document. Residual risk while a rafter is suspended and unbolted stays High. Fitting the door hardware at ground level afterwards is a JSA, not this SWMS.

Step	Hazards	Controls	5×5 risk
1. Set up the crane, EWP and exclusion zone; check anchor bolts and pad levels Responsible: Rigging supervisor	Crane travelling on soft ground after rain Power line 15 m from the front columns within a slewed boom's reach Other trades and the owner walking through the erection area	Ground checked and compacted; crane pads on timber mats; load chart confirmed for the heaviest rafter pair No-go zone marked with bunting at 6 m from the line; spotter whenever the boom faces the road Erection area fenced with a single gate; toolbox talk signed by everyone on site	InitialL3×C5 = 15 High ResidualL2×C5 = 10 High
2. Lift and stand columns, bolt to footings and fit temporary guys Responsible: Dogger / rigger	Column swinging or dropping during the lift Column falling over before the second nut and guys are on Fingers between base plate and hold-down bolts	Rated slings on the lifting lug; tagline on every column; nobody under the load; DG licence holder directs All four nuts snugged and two guys fitted before the crane releases Bar and podger to align; hands clear when the load is lowered the last 100 mm	InitialL4×C5 = 20 Critical ResidualL2×C5 = 10 High
3. Lift rafter pairs and bolt at the knee and apex from the EWP Responsible: Rigger (RB) in EWP	Fall from the EWP basket while reaching to align the haunch Rafter released before the connection has enough bolts EWP struck by the suspended rafter	Harness clipped to the basket anchor; basket positioned so bolts are within reach, no climbing the rail Minimum bolts per the engineer's erection note before the crane releases; rigger calls it, dogman confirms Crane holds the rafter clear until the EWP is stationary; move the EWP, then bring the load in	InitialL4×C5 = 20 Critical ResidualL2×C5 = 10 High
4. Fit bracing, purlins and girts; tension and hand over a stable frame Responsible: Rigging supervisor	Frame unstable in wind before the bracing bay is complete Fall over 2 m while walking purlins Dropped bolts and purlin bridging onto the crew below	Bracing bay erected first and tensioned; work stops above 40 km/h wind; guys stay until the roof bracing is in No walking on purlins; all work from the EWP or a work platform Bolt bags and tool lanyards; exclusion zone under the working bay	InitialL3×C5 = 15 High ResidualL2×C4 = 8 High

The crane and the welding are separate pages for a reason

The crane side of the same job (lift plan, ground bearing, load charts) is on the crane and lifting SWMS page. Site welding of connections is on the hot works and welding SWMS. Roof sheeting that follows the frame is the roofing SWMS. Generate one document that covers the tasks your crew actually does, and reference the others.

Frequently asked questions

Is structural steel erection high-risk construction work?

Yes. Falls greater than 2 m, structural work requiring temporary support to prevent collapse, and work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant all apply. If the crane can reach overhead power lines, work near energised electrical services applies too. A SWMS is required before the first column is lifted.

Who needs a high-risk work licence on a steel job?

The crane operator needs the licence class for the crane (CN for a non-slewing Franna, C2, C6, C1 or C0 for slewing cranes by capacity). Anyone slinging loads or directing the crane needs a dogging (DG) licence at minimum. Riggers erecting structural steel need a basic rigging (RB) licence or higher. Boom-type EWPs over 11 m need a WP licence. Name the licences in the SWMS.

Does the steel erection SWMS cover the crane?

The crane company usually supplies its own SWMS and lift plan. Yours has to cover how your riggers work with it: exclusion zones, who directs, taglines, no-go zones for power lines, and when loads are released. See the crane and lifting page for the crane side.

Is a steel erection SWMS valid in NSW, VIC, QLD and WA?

The generator cites the WHS Act and Regulations for NSW, QLD, WA and the other model-WHS states, and the OHS Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017 for Victoria. Licence classes are national.

What residual risk is realistic for steel erection?

Consequence for a fall from a rafter or a dropped column is 5. Residual risk after controls will usually still read High during the lift and the first bolt-up. A steel SWMS that scores everything Low after 'wear a harness' is not describing the job.

Write the steel erection SWMS for this frame

Crane, rigging, EWPs, bracing sequence and the state. Free account, no card to sign up. $20/month for unlimited documents.

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