NBN & Telecom Installation SWMS

NBN and telecommunications installation work covers fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) lead-in cabling, hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) connections, fixed wireless antenna mounting, network termination device (NTD) installation, and internal structured cabling across residential, commercial, and multi-dwelling unit sites. The work routinely combines work at height on roofs, ladders, and elevating work platforms with proximity to live LV and ELV circuits, asbestos-containing eaves and soffits in pre-1990 buildings, and confined entry into roof cavities and underground pits. Under WHS Regulation 2025, a Safe Work Method Statement is mandatory because the work meets multiple High Risk Construction Work triggers under section 291 — specifically work at height above two metres and work on or near energised electrical installations. The PCBU must prepare, consult workers on, and retain the SWMS before work commences, and stop work if controls are not implemented as documented.

Hazards identified

7 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Elimination — Specify pre-terminated patch leads and external wall-mount NTDs to remove need for roof-cavity entry and aerial climbs where building design permits.
2. 2Elimination — Use ground-level fibre blowing techniques and existing conduit pathways instead of opening new penetrations through asbestos-suspect eaves or soffits.
3. 3Substitution — Deploy fixed wireless dish on existing approved mounting points or façade brackets rather than constructing new roof-penetrating masts above two metres.
4. 4Engineering — Install temporary edge protection or guardrail systems to AS/NZS 4994.1 on any roof working surface, with anchor points certified to AS/NZS 5532 for fall arrest.
5. 5Engineering — Use insulated tools, RCD-protected portable power, and non-conductive fibreglass ladders rated to AS/NZS 1892.1 within 600mm of any electrical apparatus.
6. 6Engineering — Conduct pre-drill cable and stud detection with calibrated multi-mode scanner, and isolate circuits at the switchboard with lockout-tagout before any penetration near wiring.
7. 7Administrative — Complete asbestos register review and presumptive ACM assessment per the building's hazardous materials register before disturbing any pre-1990 building fabric.
8. 8Administrative — Schedule roof-cavity work outside 11am–3pm during high heat days, rotate workers every 30 minutes, and maintain documented hydration and rest cycles.
9. 9Administrative — Hold documented pre-start toolbox with SWMS sign-on, verify ACMA cabler registration and EWP/working-at-height tickets currency for every worker on site.
10. 10PPE — Issue Class P2 respirators, cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses with side shields rated to AS/NZS 1337.1, full body harness to AS/NZS 1891.1, and high-visibility long-sleeve apparel.

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

On a suburban duplex FTTP connection job, the lead cabler opens the pre-start brief by walking the two-person crew through this SWMS at the tailgate of the van. The 1962-built weatherboard property triggers the asbestos hazard line item immediately — the cabler points to control item seven and confirms the hazardous materials check on the property record shows fibro eaves. The crew agrees to route the lead-in through the existing Telstra entry conduit rather than drill a new soffit penetration, applying the elimination control. Next, the worker climbing to attach the aerial cable identifies the gable end is 3.4 metres high, triggering a high risk construction work category. They select the fibreglass extension ladder, set a three-point contact rule, and one worker foots the ladder while the other deploys a temporary harness to the certified anchor on the chimney flashing. Before drilling the external wall for the NTD, the cabler uses a stud-and-cable scanner and isolates the adjacent power circuit at the switchboard with a personal lockout tag, satisfying the engineering control for energised services. Both workers sign on to the SWMS in the field log. Midway through, an unexpected second comms cable is found in the wall cavity; work stops, the SWMS is reviewed at the bonnet, an additional control is handwritten and initialled, and work resumes only after the new hazard is documented and both workers re-sign.

Related legislation

• WHS Act 2011 (model)
• WHS Regulation 2025
• AS/NZS 3000 — Electrical installations

Frequently asked questions