SWMS template · Working at Heights
Gutter Installation and Repair — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for removing, replacing and repairing metal eaves gutters, fascia cover and downpipes on houses and small commercial buildings, including edge work, overhead service lines and handling long gutter lengths.
- Category
- Working at Heights
- HRCW
- 2 categories
- Job steps
- 6
- Hazards rated
- 16
- PPE items
- 7
Gutter work happens right on the roof edge, which is where most falls in housing construction start. If any part of the job has a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres, it is High Risk Construction Work and a SWMS is required. On most homes the consumer mains or aerial service line is fixed to the fascia or a bracket on the eaves, so the job also usually counts as work near energised electrical installations or services.
The key planning decision is how you will work at the edge. Pulling off old gutter, setting a fall line and fixing new brackets needs both hands and constant reaching, so a ladder alone is rarely the right control for a full replacement. Use perimeter scaffold or edge protection, a mobile scaffold, or an EWP. Ladders are suitable only for short, light tasks such as clearing a blockage or resealing a joint, with the ladder footed or tied and the worker able to keep three points of contact. Never lean a ladder against the gutter itself.
Other hazards specific to gutter work include sharp sheet metal edges, long lengths catching the wind during handling, fragile or brittle old gutters and roof sheets, wasp and bird nests, and hot roofs in summer. On older homes, check eaves linings and fascia boards for asbestos cement sheeting before drilling or cutting, and treat old paint as lead-containing until tested. Cut gutter with snips or a nibbler rather than an abrasive disc, which throws hot swarf and damages coated steel.
No specific licence is needed to install gutters, but in most states the work is building or roof plumbing work that requires a trade licence or registration, and stormwater connections to the legal point of discharge may need a licensed plumber. Check your state or territory regulator. Workers must be trained in the access equipment used, and EWP operators need a WP class licence where the boom length is 11 metres or more.
Customise this template with the building height and roof type, the access and edge protection method, the location of the overhead service line and any network operator advice, the asbestos and lead paint check results, the gutter profile and length, downpipe connection details, and how offcuts and old gutter will be removed from site.
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
- Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
Personal Protective Equipment
- Cut-resistant gloves (sheet metal)
- Safety glasses
- Non-slip safety boots with soft soles for roof access
- Harness and lanyard where a fall restraint system is used
- Hard hat for workers on the ground below
- Long sleeves, wide-brim hat and sunscreen
- Hearing protection when using nibblers or drills
Risk Assessment
RatingsCatastrophicHighModerateLow
Step 1Site inspection and planning
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact with the overhead service line at the fascia | Catastrophic | Locate the point of attachment and the service line route before work. Ask the network operator or an electrician to de-energise, relocate or insulate the line where work will be within reach of it. No metal gutter lengths or ladders to be raised near the line until this is arranged. | Low | Supervisor |
| Disturbing asbestos cement eaves or fascia, or lead paint | High | Check the age of the house and the asbestos register if one exists. Treat flat fibro eaves linings in pre-1990 homes as asbestos until tested. Do not drill, cut or snap suspect sheeting. Treat old paint as lead until tested and avoid dry sanding. | Low | Supervisor |
| Fall through brittle roof sheeting or old skylights | High | Inspect the roof from the ground or an EWP. Mark fragile sheets and skylights. Workers do not walk on the roof outside the gutter line unless mesh, covers or walkways are in place. | Low | Supervisor |
Step 2Setting up access and edge protection
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall from the roof edge or access equipment | Catastrophic | Install perimeter scaffold or edge protection, or use a mobile scaffold or EWP, for gutter removal and replacement. Scaffold over 4 metres erected by a licensed scaffolder. Ladders only for short, light tasks, footed or tied, extending 1 metre above the landing, never resting on the gutter. | Low | Supervisor / Scaffolder |
| Mobile scaffold or EWP tipping on soft or sloping ground | High | Set up on firm, level ground or use sole boards. Lock castors. Check garden beds, pits and sloping driveways before positioning. Follow the manufacturer's height-to-base limits. | Low | Worker / EWP Operator |
| Public or occupants walking under the work | Moderate | Barricade the area below the work face with a drop zone at least as wide as the length of gutter being handled. Signs at entries. Tell occupants which doors not to use. | Low | Supervisor |
Step 3Removing old gutter and downpipes
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old gutter collapsing or swinging when brackets are released | High | Support the length before releasing the last brackets. Cut long runs into manageable sections. Two workers to lower lengths; pass down rather than drop. Keep the area below clear. | Low | Workers |
| Stings and bites from nests in gutters and eaves | Moderate | Check gutters and eaves for wasp, bee and bird nests before starting. Get a pest controller to deal with wasp nests. Wear gloves when clearing debris. | Low | Worker |
| Cuts from rusted or torn metal | Moderate | Cut-resistant gloves and long sleeves. Fold or tape sharp edges on removed lengths before carrying. | Low | Worker |
Step 4Handling and lifting new gutter lengths
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long lengths catching wind and pulling workers off balance | High | Do not lift lengths to height in strong or gusty wind. Two workers per length, one at each end. Lift from the platform or scaffold, not from a ladder. Tie off stored lengths on the scaffold. | Low | Supervisor / Workers |
| Back and shoulder strain from overhead lifting | Moderate | Use a gin wheel, material hoist or team lift for long or heavy lengths. Pre-assemble stop ends and outlets at ground level where possible to reduce work at height. | Low | Workers |
Step 5Fixing brackets, gutter and downpipes
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overreaching from the platform or ladder | High | Move the platform or scaffold rather than leaning out. Keep both feet on the platform. No standing on handrails or the top rungs of ladders. | Low | Worker |
| Eye injury from swarf, drilling and cutting | Moderate | Cut gutter with snips or a nibbler, not an abrasive disc. Safety glasses for all drilling and cutting. Sweep swarf off the roof and gutter at the end of each run to avoid rust stains and slips. | Low | Worker |
| Electric shock from drilling into cables in the eaves | High | Check for cables, lights and fans in the eaves before fixing brackets. Use a cable detector. Do not drill near light fittings or penetrations without checking the circuit is isolated. | Low | Worker |
Step 6Sealing, testing and pack-up
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin and eye irritation from sealants and primers | Low | Read the SDS. Gloves when applying sealant. Wash hands before eating. | Low | Worker |
| Falling tools and offcuts during dismantling | Moderate | Clear all tools and offcuts from the roof and gutter before dismantling access. Lower materials, do not throw. Keep the drop zone in place until the scaffold or EWP is removed. | 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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