Product Overview

This Stonework SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls for stone cutting, polishing, restoration and installation activities, helping you maintain WHS compliance on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of stone processing and conservation, ensuring safe operation of machinery, dust and silica control, manual handling, and the preservation of heritage stonework as part of your High Risk Construction Work obligations.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe operation, guarding, isolation and maintenance of bridge polishers for stone finishing
• Use of bridge saws for cutting stone, including blade selection, securing workpieces and managing kickback risks
• Coping stone layout, line-marking and handling to ensure accurate placement and reduced manual handling strain
• Cutting and shaping of stone using powered and hand tools, with controls for noise, vibration and flying debris
• Cutting natural stone and engineered stone with controls for respirable crystalline silica dust, water suppression and local exhaust ventilation
• Operation of edge polishers to create finished edges while managing entanglement, crush points and electrical risks
• Use of profile polishers (bridge type) for complex stone profiles, including set-up, clamping and exclusion zones
• Stone carving by sandblasting, including abrasive handling, compressed air safety and respiratory protection
• Stone pitching and splitting techniques, including chisel and hammer use, eye and face protection and secure work areas
• Stone restoration and polishing on existing structures, including access, fall prevention and protection of adjacent finishes
• Application of stone sealing products, including chemical handling, ventilation, PPE and safe clean-up of spills
• Stone work conservation and restoration practices to protect heritage fabric while managing dust, noise and public interface risks
• Manual handling of heavy stone slabs and units using mechanical aids, team lifts and safe lifting techniques
• Housekeeping, waste management and slurry control to prevent slips, trips and environmental contamination
• General workshop and site safety around stoneworking machinery, including lock-out/tag-out and emergency response

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for stonemasons, stone fabrication workshops, heritage and conservation contractors, commercial fit-out and landscaping contractors, and site supervisors overseeing stone cutting, polishing and restoration work.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace: Guidance on controlling silica dust when cutting and processing stone
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Requirements for safe use of stone sealers, cleaners and other chemicals
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work: Controls for high-noise stone cutting and polishing operations
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks: Guidance on reducing musculoskeletal risks when handling heavy stone pieces
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace: Safe use of bridge saws, polishers and other stoneworking machinery
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment: Requirements for selecting and maintaining RPE for silica and dust exposure
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory Protective Devices: Performance standards for respirators used during stone cutting and sandblasting
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational Protective Gloves: Guidance on hand protection for handling stone and operating tools
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal Eye Protection: Eye and face protection requirements for cutting, grinding and sandblasting
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational Protective Helmets: Head protection requirements for construction and stonework environments
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017