Meat Processing (Abattoir / Boning Room) SWMS
Abattoir kill-floor and boning-room operations — stun-box CO2 asphyxiation risk, captive-bolt maintenance, knife-sharpening, repetitive boning-task musculoskeletal risk, zoonotic disease (Q-fever, brucellosis), chiller entrapment and cleaning-chemical exposure.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Abattoir kill-floor and boning-room operations involve captive-bolt stunning, CO2 asphyxiation systems, knife work, repetitive boning tasks, zoonotic exposure, chiller entry and chemical cleaning. Under WHS Regulation 2025, these activities trigger high-risk plant, hazardous chemical and biological hazard duties, requiring a documented SWMS before work commences.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Fatal asphyxiation in oxygen-depleted atmosphere
Severe cuts and chronic musculoskeletal injury
Serious infection from infected carcasses
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Confined space permit, atmospheric testing and rescue plan for stun-box and CO2 pit entry.
- 2Q-fever vaccination, mesh gloves, scabbards, knife-sharpening protocols and hazardous manual task rotation.
- 3Chiller door internal release, lockout-tagout for plant maintenance, and SDS-controlled chemical handling.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Captive-bolt, knife and powered plant guarding and maintenance
Repetitive boning and slicing risk control
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
CO2 stunning systems create asphyxiating atmospheres in stun-box and adjacent pit areas.
Direct carcass contact exposes workers to Q-fever, brucellosis and leptospirosis.
SWMS mandatory before work; stop-work if not followed.
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS customisable to your abattoir and species processed
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT)
- ✓Hazard register covering plant, chemical, biological and manual task risks
- ✓Worker sign-on register for SWMS consultation evidence
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025
- Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code