Mortuary & Post-Mortem Operations SWMS
Mortuary post-mortem and specimen preparation — formalin exposure management, tuberculin/hepatic body handling precautions, bone-saw aerosol control, downdraught-table LEV, high-level-decontamination of instruments, bereaved-family-viewing safety.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Mortuary and post-mortem operations involve formaldehyde exposure, infectious body handling, bone-saw aerosols and instrument decontamination. WHS Regulation Part 7.1 (Hazardous Chemicals), AS/NZS 2243.3 microbiological safety standards and state Coroner Act requirements impose strict duties on PCBUs to control carcinogenic and biological hazards during autopsy and specimen work.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Carcinogen Group 1 — nasopharyngeal cancer, asthma
Life-threatening infection via sharps or aerosol
Inhalation of infectious tissue particulates
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Operate downdraught autopsy table with verified LEV; air-monitor formaldehyde to WES 1ppm TWA, 2ppm STEL.
- 2Use oscillating bone-saw with vacuum shroud, P2/N95 respirator, fluid-resistant gown and face shield.
- 3Decontaminate instruments via validated thermal washer-disinfector; segregate Category A infectious cases per AS/NZS 2243.3.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Formaldehyde register, exposure monitoring, health surveillance mandatory
PC2/PC3 containment for infectious post-mortem work
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Not applicable — formaldehyde carcinogen exposure managed under Part 7.1 hazardous chemicals duties instead.
Formaldehyde requires air monitoring, register, health surveillance under WHS Reg Part 7.1.
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS template
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule
- ✓Hazard register with formaldehyde and biohazard controls
- ✓Worker sign-on register
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s.19 primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 2017 Part 7.1 — Hazardous Chemicals (formaldehyde)
- State Coroners Act — post-mortem authorisation