Sliding Mitre / Compound Saw SWMS
Sliding compound mitre saw operations for finish-carpentry, trim and framing — slide lock, bevel and mitre angle setup, stock-securing with clamp, off-cut removal with riving push and hardwood-dust extraction.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Sliding compound mitre saw operations for finish-carpentry, trim and framing — covering slide lock engagement, bevel and mitre angle setup, stock-securing with clamp, off-cut removal and hardwood-dust extraction. This SWMS addresses duties under the WHS Act 2011 (model) and WHS Regulation 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.5 (Plant), requiring documented risk control for powered cutting plant before use on Australian commercial and residential sites.
Hazards identified
10 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Severe lacerations or amputation of fingers from rotating tungsten-tipped blade.
Workpiece or hand thrown violently toward operator causing impact and laceration injury.
Projectile timber strikes operator or bystander causing eye or facial injury.
Long-term exposure causes nasal cancer, asthma and chronic respiratory disease.
Permanent noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus from prolonged unprotected exposure.
Workpiece rotation causes blade pinch, kickback and operator hand injury.
Blade shatter or tooth ejection at speed causing serious laceration injury.
Electric shock or electrocution from exposed conductors or RCD failure.
Entanglement with rotating blade causing severe crush and laceration injuries.
Worker falls onto operating saw or sustains musculoskeletal injury.
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Pre-start inspection of blade, guard, fence, clamp, lead and RCD; tag-out defective plant immediately per AS/NZS 4024.3610.
- 2Engage slide lock for chop cuts; for sliding cuts pull head fully forward then push down and back through stock.
- 3Secure all workpieces with integrated clamp or hold-down — never freehand stock under 300mm length.
- 4Connect H-class or M-class dust extraction at source; supplement with P2 respirator when cutting hardwood or MDF.
- 5Wait for blade to reach full stop before raising head and removing off-cuts; never reach across blade path.
- 6Mandatory PPE: AS/NZS 1337 eye protection, AS/NZS 1270 Class 4 hearing protection, fitted clothing, no gloves at blade.
- 7Position saw on stable stand with infeed/outfeed support; maintain 1m clear exclusion zone around operator.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Mandates risk management, guarding and isolation requirements for powered plant including mitre saws.
Specifies guarding, braking and dust-extraction design standards for circular sawing machines including mitre saws.
Establishes 85 dB(A) exposure standard requiring hearing protection and noise assessment for saw operations.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Sliding compound mitre saws on mobile stands fall within powered plant requiring documented SWMS before work commences under Reg 291.
Failure to prepare, comply with or keep a SWMS for HRCW is an offence under Regulation 300–303 attracting penalties up to $6,000 (individual).
Who this is for
- →Carpenters, joiners and shopfitters performing trim, framing and finish cutting
- →Builders and site supervisors managing fit-out and second-fix carpentry crews
- →Apprentices and labourers operating mitre saws under competent supervision
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS ready for project and ABN customisation
- ✓State-specific legislation schedule (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT)
- ✓Hazard register aligned to identified risks and controls
- ✓Worker sign-on register for SWMS consultation evidence
Worked example
A shopfitter cutting 90x19 spotted gum architrave engages the slide lock, sets 45° mitre, clamps the stock against the fence, connects the H-class extractor and dons P2 respirator plus Class 4 earmuffs. He pulls the head forward, lowers through the cut, waits for blade stop, then removes the off-cut with a push stick. The SWMS sign-on confirms induction and the supervisor verifies RCD test before shift start.
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (model)
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 Chapter 4 Part 4.5
- AS/NZS 4024.3610:2015 Safety of machinery — Wood-machining
- AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye and face protection
- Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice (wood dust)