Important: This SWMS template is provided as a starting point only. It must be reviewed and customised to reflect the specific conditions, hazards, and controls for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the specific work. This template does not constitute legal advice. Refer to your state or territory WHS regulator for compliance requirements.

Electrical Work

Data and Communications Cabling — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for the installation of structured data cabling, fibre optic, coaxial, and communications cabling in commercial and residential buildings, including cable pathways, patch panels, and rack installation.

Download this template

Personal Protective Equipment

Hard hat (Class 1, in construction environments)Safety glassesLeather or cut-resistant glovesSteel-capped safety bootsHigh-visibility vest (construction sites)P2 respirator (ceiling space work in older buildings)Safety harness and lanyard (if working from elevated platforms or ladders at height)

High Risk Construction Work Types

•Work at height above 2 metres
•Work in confined spaces (ceiling spaces, wall cavities if enclosed)

Risk Assessment

1.Ceiling space access and cable routing

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Falls through ceiling or from access ladder	High	Use a purpose-built platform ladder or EWP to access ceiling space access hatches — do not climb shelving or improvised structures. In ceiling spaces with non-trafficable tile systems, use a scaffold board or crawl board minimum 450 mm wide spanning minimum 3 ceiling joists before moving the board. Do not walk directly on plasterboard or mineral fibre ceiling tiles. Check ceiling space for asbestos lagging, pipe insulation, or fibro sheeting before entry and treat as ACM until tested. Always confirm a second person knows the worker is in the ceiling space and checks in every 30 minutes.	Low	All Workers / Supervisor
Contact with live 240V cables or data cables carrying PoE voltage in ceiling space	High	Identify and map all existing services in the ceiling space before commencing work. Do not touch any unmarked or unidentified cables — treat as live until proven otherwise using a non-contact voltage tester. Keep cable tray or conduit route clear of existing high voltage cables by minimum 50 mm (Cat 6 to power) per AS/CA S009 separation requirements. Ensure all existing 240V cables have intact insulation — report any damaged cables to the building electrician. If access space is too restricted to maintain 50 mm separation, use metallic conduit for the data cable at crossing points.	Low	Cabler / Supervisor

2.Cable containment and tray installation

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Manual handling injury during cable tray installation overhead	Moderate	Use a cable tray support cradle or two-person team for all overhead tray sections exceeding 5 kg. Use a scissor lift or mobile elevated work platform for installation above 2.5 m — do not use a stepladder for sustained overhead work. Workers should use a tray support tool to hold tray while bolting to avoid sustained overhead hold. Rotate workers every 30 minutes on overhead tasks to prevent shoulder and neck fatigue. Ensure all required fixings are staged at the work level before ascending to minimise climbing frequency.	Low	All Workers
Sharp cable tray edges causing lacerations	Moderate	Inspect all cable tray sections for sharp burrs and cut edges before handling. Use a deburring tool or file on all cut tray ends immediately after cutting. Wear leather or cut-resistant gloves for all cable tray handling. Do not run cables over unprotected tray cut edges — install rubber edge guards or grommets. Dispose of metal offcuts in a dedicated sharps bin, not in general waste.	Low	All Workers

3.Cable pulling through conduit and walls

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Silica dust inhalation during core drilling through masonry	High	Use wet core drilling for brick, block, and concrete walls. Where wet drilling is impractical (e.g. existing finished wall), use a vacuum shroud attached to a HEPA-filtered vacuum. Workers must wear a fit-tested P2 respirator for all dry masonry drilling. Do not dry sweep drill cuttings — use a vacuum or damp cloth. Monitor dust levels in poorly ventilated rooms and take breaks in fresh air. Core holes through external walls must be sealed with expanding foam and cable entry grommets after cabling to maintain the building's weatherproofing and fire rating.	Low	Cabler / Supervisor

4.Patch panel and rack installation

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Rack or equipment falling during installation or commissioning	High	Telecommunications racks and cabinets must be anchored to the floor or wall per the manufacturer's installation instructions before any equipment is installed in them. A free-standing empty 42U rack can be unstable before floor-fixing — use a temporary prop or ensure two people support the rack during positioning and fixing. Install rack equipment from the bottom up to maintain a low centre of gravity. Do not overload rack beyond manufacturer-rated capacity (typically 500–1000 kg distributed). Secure all rack equipment with two rack screws per unit before releasing support.	Low	Cabler / Supervisor
Electric shock from PoE switch or energised patch panel	Moderate	PoE (Power over Ethernet) switches and active network equipment can supply up to 90W at 48–57V DC. Treat all patch panel ports connected to active PoE switches as potentially live. Do not insert metal objects into RJ45 ports. Isolate PoE power supply before performing maintenance on patch panels connected to PoE switches. Ensure all network equipment is correctly earthed per AS/NZS 3000. Do not work on energised active equipment without the relevant licence if work involves exposure to mains voltage components inside the equipment.	Low	Cabler / Electrician

5.Fibre optic splicing and termination

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Eye injury from live fibre optic laser or glass fibre splinters	High	Never look directly into an open fibre connector or the cleaved end of a fibre strand — assume all fibres are live (carrying laser light) unless both ends are confirmed disconnected and the far-end source is confirmed off. Use a fibre optic power meter or optical fault locator to test fibre — never use the naked eye. Dispose of all cleaved fibre offcuts immediately into a dedicated sharps container (small sealed jar or tape) — fibre slivers are invisible and can penetrate skin or eyes. Workers should wear safety glasses at all times during fibre splicing. Wear examination gloves during splicing to prevent fibre skin penetration.	Low	Fibre Optic Technician

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.

Name: ___________________Date: ___________________