SWMS template · Asbestos & Hazardous Materials
Fire and Flood Damage Restoration — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for make-safe, strip-out, cleaning and drying of fire- and flood-damaged buildings, covering structural checks, damaged electrical installations, asbestos, soot, contaminated floodwater, mould and drying equipment.
- Category
- Asbestos & Hazardous Materials
- HRCW
- 3 categories
- Job steps
- 7
- Hazards rated
- 16
- PPE items
- 7
Restoration work after a fire or flood is done in buildings that are already damaged, often under time pressure from owners and insurers. The hazards are different from normal strip-out work. Fire and water both weaken structures, damage electrical installations and break down building materials. A SWMS is required because the work commonly involves disturbing asbestos, work on or near energised electrical installations, and work in an area that may have a contaminated atmosphere.
Asbestos is the biggest unknown. Fire can turn bonded asbestos cement sheeting into friable, broken debris, which then needs a Class A licensed removalist. Flood damage can break up asbestos sheeting and vinyl floor tiles. In any building built before 1990, treat damaged sheeting and debris as asbestos until it is assessed, and do not start strip-out until an assessment has been done. Fire debris can also contain lead from paint, and soot and ash carry combustion products that need respiratory protection.
Do not enter until the building has been checked. A fire-damaged roof, floor or wall may need an engineer's assessment and temporary propping before anyone works under it. The electrical installation must be isolated by a licensed electrician and stay off until it has been inspected and tested. Floodwater should be treated as contaminated with sewage and chemicals: cuts and skin contact are infection risks, so workers should have up-to-date tetanus vaccination and should talk to their doctor about other vaccinations. Mould will start to grow on wet materials quickly, and drying equipment brings its own risks, including carbon monoxide from petrol pumps or generators used indoors.
Restoration technicians should be trained in the work, and asbestos removal must be done by appropriately licensed removalists. Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Check your state or territory regulator for any extra licensing requirements, such as for mould or biohazard work.
Customise this template with the type and extent of damage, the structural assessment and any propping, the asbestos and lead assessment results, electrical isolation and the electrician's details, the floodwater contamination category or fire residue type, the PPE and respirator selection, drying and dehumidification equipment, and the waste disposal arrangements.
Important: This SWMS template is a starting point only. Review and customise it for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the work. Not legal advice.
High Risk Construction Work Types
- Work that involves, or is likely to involve, disturbing asbestos
- Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
- Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
Personal Protective Equipment
- P2 respirator (fit tested) as a minimum; higher protection for heavy soot or mould
- Disposable coveralls with hood
- Nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves; cut-resistant gloves over them for debris
- Gumboots or waterproof safety boots with puncture-resistant soles
- Safety goggles
- Hard hat
- Hearing protection near air movers and dehumidifiers
Risk Assessment
RatingsCatastrophicHighModerateLow
Step 1Initial assessment and make-safe
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collapse of fire- or water-damaged roof, ceiling or floor | Catastrophic | Do not enter until the building has been assessed. Engineer or competent person checks the structure where there is visible damage. Prop or exclude unsafe areas. Mark no-go zones. Do not work under sagging wet ceilings. | Moderate | Supervisor / Engineer |
| Electric shock from a damaged or flooded installation | Catastrophic | Licensed electrician isolates supply at the main switch or meter and confirms it is safe. Lock and tag. Treat all wiring as live until confirmed. Installation stays off until inspected and tested. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
| Gas leak or damaged gas appliances | High | Isolate gas at the meter. Licensed gasfitter checks the installation before reconnection. No ignition sources if gas can be smelled. | Low | Supervisor / Licensed Gasfitter |
Step 2Asbestos and hazardous materials check
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure to asbestos made friable by fire or broken by flood | Catastrophic | Treat damaged sheeting and debris in pre-1990 buildings as asbestos until assessed. Licensed assessor or competent person inspects and samples. Friable asbestos removed by a Class A licensed removalist before other work in that area. | Low | Supervisor / Licensed Asbestos Assessor |
| Lead exposure from fire-damaged paint and debris | High | Treat paint debris in older buildings as lead until tested. Wet methods and HEPA vacuuming only. No dry sweeping. Wash before eating or smoking. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
Step 3Removing water, sludge and contaminated contents
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infection from sewage-contaminated floodwater | High | Treat floodwater as contaminated. Waterproof boots, gloves and goggles. Cover cuts with waterproof dressings. Wash hands and face before breaks. Tetanus vaccination up to date. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
| Carbon monoxide from petrol pumps or generators | Catastrophic | Never run petrol or diesel engines inside the building or near doors and windows. Use electric pumps on protected circuits with RCDs where possible. | Low | Supervisor |
| Slips, hidden holes and sharp objects in mud and water | High | Probe ahead with a stick in standing water. Puncture-resistant boots. Remove water before walking through rooms where possible. Watch for snakes and other animals displaced by flooding. | Moderate | Restoration Technicians |
Step 4Strip-out of damaged linings, flooring and insulation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual handling of saturated plasterboard, carpet and furniture | High | Cut wet carpet and plasterboard into small sections. Team lifts and trolleys. Rotate tasks. Regular breaks. | Moderate | Restoration Technicians |
| Mould spores and dust released during strip-out | High | Fit-tested P2 respirator as a minimum, higher protection for heavy growth. Mist materials before removal. Bag waste at the point of removal. Keep doors to unaffected areas closed. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
Step 5Soot and smoke residue cleaning
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inhalation of soot, ash and combustion products | High | Respirator with particulate and, where odours or vapours are present, combination filters. Ventilate before and during cleaning. HEPA vacuum loose soot before wet cleaning. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
| Skin and eye harm from cleaning chemicals | Moderate | Read the SDS for each product. Never mix chemicals. Chemical-resistant gloves and goggles. Keep chemicals labelled and stored away from the public. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
Step 6Drying and dehumidification
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical faults from drying equipment in wet areas | High | Use tested and tagged equipment on RCD-protected supply. Keep leads off wet floors. Do not run equipment from the damaged installation until it is cleared by an electrician. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
| Trips over leads and air movers, and noise | Moderate | Route leads along walls. Mark equipment. Hearing protection when working near multiple air movers. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
Step 7Decontamination and waste disposal
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contamination carried off site on clothing and tools | Moderate | Set up a decontamination point at the exit. Remove coveralls and gloves there. Wash boots and tools. Bag disposable PPE. | Low | Restoration Technicians |
| Incorrect disposal of asbestos and contaminated waste | High | Separate asbestos, chemical and general waste. Asbestos and hazardous waste to licensed facilities only, with receipts kept. | Low | Supervisor |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.
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