Tile Roof Installation — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for the installation of concrete and terracotta roof tiles including batten installation, tile handling, roof access, fall protection, and ridge capping, in compliance with Australian WHS legislation.
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Tile roof installation — covering both concrete roof tiles and terracotta tiles — is HRCW under Schedule 3 of the model WHS Regulations because of the fall risk exceeding 2 metres inherent to all rooftop work. A SWMS must be prepared, implemented, and followed before any tile installation or roofing work begins. The principal reference codes are the Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces and the Construction Work code.
Roof tiling is a licensed trade in most Australian states. In Queensland, Victoria, and NSW, roof tiling work requires a specific contractor or trade licence — for example, in Queensland a Roof Tiling Contractor licence is required under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Act. This varies by jurisdiction and users should confirm current licensing requirements with their state building regulator before commencing. The installation of tiles must comply with AS 2050 (Installation of roof tiles) and the relevant tile manufacturer's technical installation guidelines.
The fall risk on tiled roofs is compounded by the slope and the slippery surface of glazed or wet tiles. Standard tile roofs have pitches between 15 and 35 degrees — sufficient to make uncontrolled sliding a genuine risk even at low heights. Fall prevention systems must be appropriate for the roof pitch: perimeter scaffolding with a full-height working platform at the eave is the most effective control for tile installation, as it provides both a work surface and edge protection. Where scaffolding is not used, certified roof anchor points per AS/NZS 5532 and travel restraint systems are required.
Tile handling presents significant manual handling risks. Concrete tiles typically weigh 4–5 kg each, and a standard residential roof may require 800–1,200 tiles. Mechanical tile elevators or crane-lifted packs should be used to deliver tiles to the roof wherever practicable to reduce manual carrying on ladders. Distributing tile weight evenly across the roof structure before battening is complete can also cause structural overload — the SWMS should address tile stacking limits per batten span.
This template applies in all Australian states and territories. Victorian users should also consult OHS Regulations 2017 and WorkSafe Victoria construction guidance.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work at height involving the risk of falling more than 2 metres
- •Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
Risk Assessment
1.Setting up scaffolding and roof access
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall from height during roof access and installation | Catastrophic | Erect perimeter scaffolding with full guardrail and toe-board system before any workers access the roof. Scaffolding must be designed, erected, altered, and dismantled by a licensed scaffolder. Roof access ladders must be secured at the top and extend at least 1 metre above the roof eaves. Where scaffolding is not practicable, install an engineered static line or anchor points and use full harness with a SRL or lanyard, ensuring the attachment point is above the worker's dorsal D-ring at all times. Inspect all harness and fall-arrest equipment before each use and remove damaged equipment from service. No roof access without fall protection in place. | Moderate | Scaffolder / Site Supervisor |
2.Manual handling of roof tiles
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal strain from repetitive lifting of heavy tiles | High | Concrete roof tiles weigh 3–5 kg each; a standard roof requires 10–15 tiles per square metre, creating significant cumulative load. Use a crane or roof tile conveyor to lift packs of tiles to roof level — do not manually carry tiles up ladders in quantities exceeding one at a time. Set tile packs down on the roof in small stacks (maximum 4 tiles) distributed evenly across battens to avoid point loading. Rotate tilers every 45 minutes between different tasks. Use a knee pad when kneeling on battens. Take regular breaks and maintain hydration. Conduct a manual task risk assessment for the overall task. | Moderate | Roofer / Site Supervisor |
| Crush injury from tile pack collapse or falling tiles | High | Deliver tile packs to the roof using crane and spreader bar with tiles packed no higher than 1.2 metres and strapped securely. Do not crane tiles over personnel. Establish a ground-level exclusion zone around the building perimeter while tiles are being lifted. Stack tiles on the roof across a minimum of 3 battens and keep packs stable. Toe-boards on scaffold platforms must be in place to prevent tiles rolling off. Secure loose tiles at the end of each working day. | Low | Roofer / Dogger / Site Supervisor |
3.Tile cutting with angle grinder or masonry saw
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silica dust inhalation from dry-cutting concrete or terracotta tiles | Catastrophic | Wet cutting using a bench masonry saw with continuous water suppression is the preferred method for all tile cutting. If wet cutting is not practicable, use a HEPA vacuum shroud on the cutting tool and wear a minimum P2 half-face respirator. Never dry-cut tiles without dust extraction on an open, unprotected roof or in any enclosed area. Establish a designated cutting station downwind of the main work area. Place the cutting station at ground level where possible. Restrict access to the cutting zone to essential personnel only. | Moderate | Roofer / Safety Officer |
4.Laying tile courses and fixing
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slip on wet or moss-covered roof battens and sarking | High | Wear non-slip soled safety boots with a rubber compound sole on all roof work. Never work on a wet or frost-covered roof — suspend operations until the surface dries. Inspect sarking and battens for moss or algae growth before commencing on existing structures and clean with a brush if required. Always maintain three points of contact when moving across the roof. Ensure fall-arrest equipment remains connected throughout the task. Use roof hooks (jacks) or a purpose-built roof ladder for steeper pitches (above 25°). | Moderate | Roofer |
5.Ridge capping and mortar bedding at ridge
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical skin burns from cement mortar contact at ridge | Moderate | Wear nitrile or rubber chemical-resistant gloves when mixing and applying all wet cement mortar. Change gloves that become saturated with mortar. Wear safety glasses when mixing to prevent cement splashing into eyes. If cement contacts skin, wash immediately with copious water. If cement contacts eyes, flush for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Keep a clean water source readily accessible at the work area — the use of a water bottle on the roof is acceptable for short-duration ridge work. | Low | Roofer |
| Falls while working at the ridge (highest point) | Catastrophic | Workers at the ridge must remain connected to the fall-arrest system at all times. When working at the apex of a gable roof, use a ridge hook secured over the ridge cap combined with the full harness and lifeline system. The anchor point must be on the opposite pitch to the worker's working side or at the apex. Ridge work must not be performed during high winds (above 40 km/h) or during adverse weather. Two workers should be present for all ridge work — one working and one acting as a safety observer. | Moderate | Roofer / Site Supervisor |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
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