SWMS, HRCW & HSRs

admin • April 29, 2025

HSRs should be involved when a SWMS is prepared for HRCW.


Who doesn’t love an acronym?


Let’s start with some definitions...


SWMS stands for Safe Work Method Statement. This is a document which must be prepared before any HRCW commences. It sets out how the HRCW is going to be carried out at the workplace. It includes an outline of the hazards involved and what control measures are to be put in place to control the risks.


HRCW stands for High Risk Construction Work. It is defined in Regulation 322 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 :


In this Part, "high risk construction work" means any of the following construction work—

    (a)  where there is a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres;

    (b)  on telecommunications towers;

    (c)  involving demolition;

    (d)  involving the removal or likely disturbance of asbestos;

    (e)  involving structural alterations that require temporary support to prevent collapse;

    (f)  involving a confined space;

    (g)  involving a trench or shaft if the excavated depth is more than 1·5 metres;

    (h)  involving a tunnel;

    (i)  involving the use of explosives;

    (j)  on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping;

    (k)  on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines;

    (l)  on or near energised electrical installations or services;

    (m)  in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere;

    (n)  involving tilt-up or precast concrete;

    (o)  on or adjacent to roadways or railways used by road or rail traffic;

    (p)  at workplaces where there is any movement of powered mobile plant;

    (q)  in an area where there are artificial extremes of temperature;

    (r)  in, over or adjacent to water or other liquids where there is a risk of drowning;

    (s)  involving diving.


“Construction Work” means "any work performed in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, refurbishment, decommissioning, or demolition of any building or structure, or any similar activity."


So, what role can HSRs play when it comes to SWMS?

Health and safety representatives play a key role in the safety of their workplaces, including in relation to SWMS:


  • As with all Health and Safety matters, the HSRs can and should be involved if the work affects their designated work group (DWG).
  • As part of their legislated duties, the employer must consult with the employees and their HSRs.
  • The HSR can play and important role in reviewing the SWMS and raising any concerns from their DWG.
  • If conditions change, or if risks are not adequately controlled, then a SWMS must be reviewed. HSR’s are well placed to detect when this is the case and therefore bring this to the attention of their employer.
  • HSRs and their workmates in their DWG are the best people to help in designing and reviewing SWMS, as they are the ones actually doing the work.
  • They will have hands-on knowledge of how the job is done, any relevant site-specific factors, what hazards and risks are present, how best to control them and know if conditions change on-site (eg: weather).
  • HSRs may also be able to help ensure that their co-workers fully understand the SWMS and are ready to go and do their work safely.



After all, the purpose of the SWMS is to ensure that they are safe while they do their work!


For further reading, there is some great material on this topic at:

Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) | WorkSafe Victoria

Small Business and Managing Psychosocial Hazards

By admin • September 7, 2026
When we think of workplace safety, we usually picture high-vis vests and machinery guards. But, we can’t forget that employers have the exact same legal obligation to protect workers from psychological harm as they do from physical injuries. For small-to-medium businesses, managing "psychosocial hazards" can feel overwhelming, especially because these risks may seem “invisible”. Things like chronic stress, bullying, or burnout can also seem more tricky to control than your slips, trips and falls. Here is a quick guide to understanding your duties and protecting your team. What is a Psychosocial Hazard? A psychosocial hazard is anything in the design or management of work that increases the risk of psychological harm. Common examples include: Unrealistic workloads, constant tight deadlines, or a lack of role clarity. Bullying, harassment, or a lack of support from supervisors. High-stress customer interactions or dealing with traumatic situations. Left unmanaged, psychosocial hazards lead to high staff turnover, absenteeism, and long-term psychological injury claims. Meeting Your Legal Duties: The 4-Step Process Victorian Safety Legislation require employers to eliminate or reduce psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable usi ng a four-step Risk Management process: Identify Hazards: Look for warning signs like spikes in sick leave. Cruciall y, consult with your staff and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) t o find out where the stress points are. Assess Risks: Evaluate how likely these are to cause harm, as well as how severe and frequent these stressors are. Control Risks: Fix the job, not the person. You must change your systems of work to reduce the risk. For example by changing workflows, clarifying job descriptions, balancing workloads, and build a culture where staff can safely speak up. Review Controls: Regularly check back with your team and HSRs to ensure your changes are working. There are WorkSafe Victoria developed tools to help you with each step of the process and we can teach you how to use them... How BeSafe Victoria Can Help We understand that it can be hard to know where to start. You don't have to figure this out alone. At BeSafe Victoria , we specialise in providing the knowledge and skills to manage safety challenges. We run courses for HSRs, but we often have employers and managers attend so that they can understand how to apply the risk management process to psychosocial hazards. We will introduce you to a step-by-step process and provide the resources you need to make sure your workplace is safe. Contact BeSafe Victoria to find out more: HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria

NEW HSR Refresher OHS Training Course - Aggression or Violence

By admin • August 10, 2026
BeSafe Victoria is pleased to announce the upcoming delivery of a new Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Refresher OHS Training Course focused on Aggression and Violence in the workplace . This is a brand new WorkSafe developed training course, which equips HSRs with practical knowledge and skills to address one of the most significant psychosocial hazards facing Victorian workplaces today. Workplace aggression and violence can occur in any industry and the impacts can be both physical and psychological, not only affecting the person directly involved but also those who witness or are exposed to these incidents. Impacts also extend beyond the workplace to affect family and community. The new course explores aggression and violence through a risk management lens, building skills in hazard identification, assessing risks, finding effective controls and in contributing to effective workplace consultation. The training aligns with the growing emphasis on managing psychosocial hazards and reflects contemporary workplace health and safety expectations, including the management of aggression and violence as a workplace risk. The knowledge gained is important in ensuring that legal obligations, including those relating to the Psychological Health Regulations, are met and that workplaces are safe. As always, BeSafe Victoria is committed to providing engaging, practical and relevant training. This new refresher course offers an excellent opportunity for participants to strengthen their knowledge, build confidence in addressing workplace risks and return to their workplaces with practical strategies for supporting safer work environments. Bookings for this new HSR Refresher OHS Training Course on Aggression and Violence will be available soon. To register your interest, go to HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria or email us at info@besafevictoria.com.au  We look forward to helping you create safer, healthier and more respectful workplaces across Victoria.