Brick Repointing & Restoration SWMS
SWMS template for brick repointing & restoration. Covers Old mortar removal, lime mortar repointing, heritage methods.. 8-state AU coverage, CIH-reviewed editable DOCX, available as an instant download.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Brick repointing and restoration involves the careful removal of deteriorated mortar from masonry joints and replacement with compatible new mortar — typically lime-based for heritage structures. This work routinely involves mechanical raking out using angle grinders or chasing tools, working from scaffolds or elevated work platforms, exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) liberated from cement-based mortars and brick fines, and manual handling of materials at height. Heritage restoration adds further complexity through the need to match original mortar mixes (often non-hydraulic lime putty or natural hydraulic lime) and preserve historic fabric without damaging adjacent bricks.
Under the model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2011 (and equivalent state instruments — WHS Regulation 2017 NSW, OHS Regulations 2017 VIC, WHS Regulation 2011 QLD, and the harmonised regulations in SA, TAS, ACT, NT and the WA WHS Regulations 2022), repointing work falls within the definition of construction work under regulation 289. Because the work involves a risk of falling more than 2 metres (r291(1)(a)) and the use of power tools generating respirable crystalline silica (r529CB and the amended Schedule 3 silica provisions), it is classified as High Risk Construction Work (HRCW).
A Safe Work Method Statement is therefore mandatory under WHS Regulation r299 before work commences. The PCBU must prepare the SWMS, consult with workers under r47–48, ensure the work is carried out in accordance with the statement, and review it whenever controls are revised or an incident occurs. Failure to have a compliant SWMS in place before HRCW begins exposes the PCBU to penalties under section 32 of the WHS Act (Category 2 offence — up to $1.5M for a body corporate).
Hazards identified
6 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Silicosis, lung cancer, COPD and chronic kidney disease — exposure above the 0.05 mg/m³ workplace exposure standard (8-hour TWA)
Serious injury or fatality from falls — triggers HRCW under r291(1)(a)
Head injuries, lacerations or fatalities to workers and members of the public below the work area
Permanent vibration white finger, peripheral neuropathy and noise-induced hearing loss exceeding 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h
Severe skin burns, allergic contact dermatitis, eye damage and respiratory irritation
Musculoskeletal disorders, back strain and acute injuries from awkward postures on scaffolds
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Eliminate dry cutting wherever possible — use on-tool water suppression or M-Class HEPA-filtered local exhaust ventilation (LEV) connected directly to angle grinders and mortar rakes, in accordance with the Safe Work Australia Guide to Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace and equivalent dust-generating masonry guidance
- 2Conduct atmospheric monitoring in accordance with AS 2985:2009 to verify RCS exposures remain below 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA); implement health monitoring under WHS Regulation r529 for any worker with potential exposure
- 3Issue P2 (or P3 for higher-exposure tasks) tight-fitting respirators with documented fit testing under AS/NZS 1715:2009 and AS/NZS 1716:2012; clean-shaven policy enforced for all RPE wearers
- 4Erect compliant scaffolding to AS/NZS 1576 series with edge protection, kickboards and full-perimeter handrails; scaffolding over 4 m must be erected by a licensed scaffolder under WHS Regulation r225
- 5Establish exclusion zones beneath the work area with hard barriers, signage and toe boards; install debris netting or scaffold encapsulation to prevent falling objects, and never allow public access directly beneath active work
- 6Limit continuous tool-trigger time to manage hand-arm vibration — rotate tasks, use anti-vibration gloves to AS/NZS 2161 series, and select low-vibration tools where practicable; provide Class 5 hearing protection to AS/NZS 1270
- 7Provide chemical-resistant nitrile or PVC gauntlets, sealed safety glasses or goggles to AS/NZS 1337.1, and barrier cream when handling lime and cement; ensure emergency eyewash is available within 10 seconds' travel of the work face
- 8Use mechanical lifting aids (gin wheels, hoists, material lifts) for delivering mortar and bricks to height; limit individual loads to 20 kg and provide manual handling training under the Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
- 9For heritage works, conduct a mortar analysis before commencement to specify a compatible lime mix (NHL 2, 3.5 or lime putty) — never substitute Portland cement mortar on lime-bound historic masonry as it causes accelerated brick face decay
- 10Conduct daily pre-start toolbox talks covering the SWMS, weather conditions (suspend work in winds above 35 km/h on scaffolds), and verify all workers have signed the SWMS sign-on register before commencing
Applicable Codes of Practice
Establishes the baseline requirements for SWMS preparation, HRCW identification and consultation for all construction work including masonry restoration
Mandatory hierarchy of fall control for facade work above 2 m — directly applicable to repointing from scaffolds and EWPs
Applies where scaffolds or metal tools are used near overhead service lines on heritage building facades
Governs the lifting of mortar buckets, brick stacks and tool transport on scaffolds and at height
Sets out the risk management process (identify, assess, control, review) underpinning every step of this SWMS
Reference standard for silica dust monitoring required when mechanical mortar removal generates RCS
Design, erection and inspection requirements for scaffolds used on repointing projects
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Repointing of building facades, parapets, chimneys and upper storeys is performed from scaffolding, EWPs or roof edges where a fall of more than 2 m is foreseeable
Heritage facade work frequently occurs in proximity to overhead service connections, light fittings and metallic flashings that may carry stray voltage
Triggered only where restoration is performed on precast or tilt panel substrates — verify on a project-by-project basis
Because this work meets one or more HRCW categories under WHS Regulation r291, the PCBU MUST prepare a SWMS before work starts (r299), keep it accessible at the workplace (r301), provide it to the principal contractor on request, and review it after any incident, control change or worker request. Commencing HRCW without a compliant SWMS is a Category 2 offence under section 32 of the WHS Act 2011 — penalties up to $1.5M for a body corporate and $300,000 plus imprisonment for an individual officer.
Who this is for
- →Heritage restoration contractors and stonemason firms tendering on Local Government and National Trust projects
- →Bricklaying and repointing PCBUs working on residential, commercial and heritage facades
- →Principal contractors managing subcontracted masonry restoration packages on construction sites
- →Sole-trader bricklayers required to provide a SWMS before commencing HRCW under a head contract
- →Builders and project managers needing a documented SWMS for council-approved heritage works and conservation management plans
What you receive
- ✓Fully editable Microsoft Word (DOCX) SWMS template, CIH-reviewed and ready to brand with your company logo and ABN
- ✓State-specific legislation schedule covering NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT — referenced to the correct WHS/OHS Regulation in each jurisdiction
- ✓Pre-populated hazard register with risk ratings using a 5x5 matrix aligned to ISO 31000 risk management principles
- ✓Worker sign-on register with fields for name, role, licence/ticket number, date and signature — meets r300 consultation evidence requirements
- ✓HRCW identification checklist mapping the work against all 18 categories in WHS Regulation r291
- ✓Pre-start inspection checklist for scaffolds, EWPs, RPE fit-check and tool condition
- ✓Emergency response and incident reporting flow chart with notifiable incident triggers under WHS Act s35–38
- ✓Instant download delivered via secure download link
Worked example
A heritage repointing crew of three is contracted to restore the lime-mortar joints on a 1890s Victorian terrace facade in Carlton, VIC. The lead bricklayer downloads this SWMS, edits the company details, project address and crew names, then conducts a pre-start toolbox talk on Monday morning at 6:45 am. Before any tool is started, each worker signs the sign-on register confirming they have read and understood the controls. The SWMS specifies on-tool water suppression for the angle grinders raking out the cement mortar applied during a 1970s renovation, P2 fit-tested respirators (the apprentice was fit-tested the previous Friday), and a perimeter scaffold to AS/NZS 1576 with debris netting protecting the public footpath below. Mid-morning a council heritage officer attends site and asks to see the SWMS and the mortar specification. The bricklayer produces the printed SWMS, the mortar analysis report specifying NHL 3.5 lime mortar at 1:2.5, and the scaffold handover certificate. When a worker reports a slight respirator seal leak after lunch, the supervisor pauses the task, conducts a fresh user-seal-check, documents the issue in the SWMS review section, and adjusts the rotation schedule. The SWMS — kept on site in a weatherproof folder at the scaffold access — satisfies r301, and the documented review meets r302 obligations.
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth model) — sections 19 (primary duty), 32 (Category 2 offence), 47–49 (consultation)
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (model) — r289 (construction work), r291 (HRCW), r299–303 (SWMS), r529 (health monitoring)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (VIC) and OHS Regulations 2017 — Part 5.1 Construction
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW) — Chapter 6 Construction Work
- Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WA) — equivalent HRCW and SWMS provisions
- Heritage Act 1995 (VIC), Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) and equivalent state instruments — works on listed places require approved methods
- Environmental Protection Act 1970 / 2017 (state-specific) — dust suppression and waste disposal of cement-mortar slurry
- Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice — applicable to lime and cement classified under the GHS
Frequently asked questions
Is a SWMS legally required for repointing if my crew is only working at 2.5 metres on a single-storey terrace?
Yes. WHS Regulation r291(1)(a) defines High Risk Construction Work as work where there is a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres. A 2.5 m working height triggers HRCW regardless of the building scale, and r299 mandates a SWMS before work begins. The 2 m threshold is absolute — there is no exemption for short-duration or low-rise work.
Does this SWMS cover the new respirable crystalline silica regulations?
Yes. The hazard register and controls section reflect the current 0.05 mg/m³ workplace exposure standard (8-hour TWA) and reference the silica-specific provisions added to the WHS Regulations following the 2024 national amendments. Controls include on-tool water suppression, M-class LEV, atmospheric monitoring under AS 2985:2009, fit-tested RPE under AS/NZS 1715, and health monitoring under r529.
Is the SWMS valid in all Australian states and territories?
Yes. The template includes a state-specific legislation schedule covering NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT and NT. Victoria and Western Australia operate under modified frameworks (OHS Regulations 2017 VIC and WHS Regulations 2022 WA), and the schedule cross-references the equivalent provisions in each. Simply select your jurisdiction during editing.
How often must the SWMS be reviewed?
Under WHS Regulation r302, you must review the SWMS whenever a control measure is revised, the work changes, a notifiable incident occurs, or a worker (or HSR) requests a review. Best practice is to also conduct a pre-start review at the commencement of each new project and an annual review of the master template. The supplied DOCX includes a revision log to track this.
Can I use Portland cement mortar instead of lime mortar to save time?
No — not on heritage or solid masonry walls. Portland cement is harder than the surrounding bricks and traps moisture, causing the brick faces to spall and the masonry to fail prematurely. The SWMS includes a specific control requiring mortar compatibility analysis and use of NHL 2/3.5 or lime putty mortars on heritage structures. Substituting cement mortar may also breach heritage listing conditions under state Heritage Acts.
What does CIH-reviewed mean and why does it matter?
CIH stands for Certified Industrial Hygienist — a credential issued by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene and recognised internationally as the highest qualification in occupational exposure assessment. CIH review means a qualified hygienist has verified the hazard identification, exposure controls (particularly RCS, noise and vibration), and PPE specifications against current Australian exposure standards and codes of practice.