SWMS template · General Construction
Shopfitting Installation — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for installing retail and hospitality fit-outs, including joinery, display units, counters, shelving, bulkheads and glass, in shopping centres and occupied premises, covering centre rules, public separation, manual handling, work at height and securing units against tipping.
- Category
- General Construction
- HRCW
- 1 category
- Job steps
- 8
- Hazards rated
- 21
- PPE items
- 7
Shopfitting installation usually involves High Risk Construction Work because bulkheads, signage, lighting tracks and tall joinery are installed from mobile scaffolds, scissor lifts or ladders with a fall of more than 2 metres. A SWMS is required for that work. It may also involve HRCW if powered mobile plant such as forklifts operates in the loading dock or tenancy, or if you work near energised electrical services. Add those types where they apply. Removing an existing fit-out is covered by the shopfitting removal template.
Most fit-outs happen inside an operating shopping centre or next to occupied premises, so you work under the centre's rules as well as your own. Expect a centre induction, permits for hot work, out-of-hours work and smoke detector or fire system isolation, and set delivery times through the loading dock. Hoarding must keep the public out of the tenancy and stop dust and noise escaping. Night work and short programs lead to fatigue, so plan shifts and breaks.
Manual handling is the most common cause of injury. Counters, display cases, stone or solid surface tops and glass panels are heavy, awkward and often moved through public malls, lifts and service corridors on trolleys. Plan routes, use the right trolleys and lifting aids, and use two people or more for heavy items. Cutting MDF, particleboard and laminate on site creates fine wood dust, and MDF dust is a respiratory hazard. Use saws with dust extraction and wear a P2 respirator.
Tall shelving, gondolas, display units and mirrors must be fixed so they cannot tip onto staff or customers later. Follow the manufacturer's fixing details, use fixings suited to the wall or floor, and check for services before drilling into slabs and walls. Any electrical work on display lighting and power must be done by a licensed electrician, with the tenancy circuits isolated as needed.
Customise this template with the centre or building name and its induction and permit requirements, delivery and loading dock times, the hoarding arrangement, the height access equipment and who is trained to use it, the heavy items and how they will be moved, the dust controls for on-site cutting, the fixing method for tall units and glass, any fire system isolations, and the trades working in the tenancy at the same time.
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
- Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
Personal Protective Equipment
- Steel-capped safety boots
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- P2 respirator (cutting MDF and board)
- Cut-resistant gloves (glass and laminate)
- High-visibility vest (loading dock)
- Hard hat (where overhead work is occurring)
Risk Assessment
RatingsCatastrophicHighModerateLow
Step 1Centre induction, permits and hoarding
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Members of the public entering the work area | High | Install full-height hoarding or barriers before work starts. Lockable access door. Keep doors closed and the area signed. | Low | Site Supervisor |
| False fire alarms or disabled fire protection | Moderate | Request detector isolation from centre management before dusty or hot work, and have them restore it at the end of each shift. Hot work only under a centre hot work permit. | Low | Site Supervisor |
| Fatigue during night work and short programs | Moderate | Plan shifts with rest breaks. Avoid long consecutive night shifts. Supervisor watches for fatigue and stops work if needed. | Low | Site Supervisor |
Step 2Deliveries and moving joinery through the centre
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struck by forklifts or trucks in the loading dock | High | Follow the loading dock traffic rules. High-visibility vest in the dock. Stay in pedestrian zones. Unload only in the allocated bay and time. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Back injury moving heavy counters, tops and cabinets | High | Use panel trolleys, furniture dollies and lifting aids. Two or more people for heavy items. Plan the route through lifts and corridors and check widths first. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Trolleys striking shoppers in malls and corridors | Moderate | Move large items before trading hours where possible. A second person walks ahead to clear the path. | Low | Shopfitter |
Step 3Set-out and drilling into walls and slab
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drilling into embedded cables, pipes or post-tensioned slab | High | Check drawings and ask centre management whether the slab is post-tensioned. Scan before drilling. Use the fixing depth and locations approved by the builder. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Silica dust from drilling concrete and block | Moderate | Use drills with dust extraction. P2 respirator. Clean up with an H-class vacuum. | Low | Shopfitter |
Step 4Cutting and modifying joinery on site
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood dust from cutting MDF, particleboard and laminate | High | Use saws and routers with dust extraction connected to an M- or H-class vacuum. P2 respirator. Cut in a set area away from other trades. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Cuts and kickback from circular and track saws | High | Guards in place. Workpiece clamped or supported. Blade suited to the material. Trained users only. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Noise from power tools | Moderate | Hearing protection when cutting and drilling. Warn other trades before noisy work. | Low | Shopfitter |
Step 5Installing and securing joinery, shelving and display units
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tall units tipping onto workers during installation | High | Stand tall units up with two people. Temporarily restrain them until fixed. Do not load shelves until fixings are complete. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Units tipping onto staff or customers after handover | High | Fix all tall shelving, gondolas, mirrors and display units to the wall or floor to the manufacturer's details, using fixings suited to the substrate. Check every fixing before handover. | Low | Site Supervisor |
| Crush injuries setting heavy stone or solid surface tops | Moderate | Use enough people or a vacuum lifter for heavy tops. Keep fingers clear of the landing edge. | Low | Shopfitter |
Step 6Work at height on bulkheads, signage and lighting tracks
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall from mobile scaffold or ladder | High | Use a mobile scaffold with guardrails and locked castors, or a scissor lift operated by a trained person. Ladders only for short, light work with three points of contact. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Tools and materials falling onto people below | Moderate | Exclusion zone under overhead work. Toe boards on scaffolds. Tool lanyards for work over public areas. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Contact with live lighting or power circuits | High | Electrical work by a licensed electrician only. Circuits isolated and tagged before shopfitters work near them. | Low | Electrician |
Step 7Glass and mirror installation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuts from breaking glass | High | Cut-resistant gloves and sleeves. Carry glass vertically using suction lifters. Inspect edges for chips before lifting. | Low | Glazier |
| Glass shelves or panels falling after installation | Moderate | Use toughened or laminated glass as specified. Install brackets and fixings to the manufacturer's details and check load ratings. | Low | Glazier |
Step 8Final clean, waste removal and handover
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dust exposure during clean-up | Moderate | H-class vacuum and damp wiping. No dry sweeping or compressed air. | Low | Shopfitter |
| Strain and cuts handling waste and offcuts | Moderate | Break down packaging as you go. Use bins and trolleys to the loading dock. Gloves for sharp offcuts. | Low | Shopfitter |
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.
Get this template
Free. Edit the Excel version, or print the PDF and fill it in by hand.