Security & CCTV Installation SWMS

Security and CCTV installation work involves mounting cameras, sensors, control panels and cabling across building facades, ceilings, car parks and perimeter fencing, frequently combining low-voltage data work with 230V mains termination and access equipment use. The work is captured under WHS Regulation 2025 as High Risk Construction Work because it routinely involves energised electrical installation and work at height above two metres on ladders, scissor lifts and roof edges. A documented Safe Work Method Statement is mandatory under WHS Regulation 2025 r299 before work commences, must be developed in consultation with workers under r48, and must remain accessible on site for the duration of the task. Without a compliant SWMS, the PCBU cannot lawfully direct workers to commence, principal contractors cannot discharge their s20 duty, and any incident exposes the business to improvement notices, prohibition notices and prosecution. This SWMS addresses the integrated electrical, height, manual handling and ICT-specific hazards encountered by security technicians.

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 PoE camera kits and factory-assembled housings to remove on-site 230V termination and reduce live electrical exposure entirely where design permits
2. 2Elimination — Schedule external high-level installs during cooler morning hours to eliminate peak UV and heat stress exposure on rooftop and pole-mount work
3. 3Substitution — Substitute 230V powered cameras with 48V PoE-powered devices fed from a single locked communications cabinet, reducing the energised work envelope across the site
4. 4Substitution — Replace extension ladder access with mobile elevated work platforms (scissor or boom lift) for any eave or soffit work exceeding 1.8 metres reach height
5. 5Engineering — Use cable and service locators (AS/NZS 4799) plus thermal imaging to scan all wall cavities before core drilling, with circuit isolation confirmed by two-pole voltage tester
6. 6Engineering — Install temporary edge protection or roof anchor systems certified to AS/NZS 5532 before any rooftop camera mounting work commences
7. 7Administrative — Apply lockout-tagout to all distribution boards feeding work areas under AS/NZS 4836, with personal danger tags and verified isolation logged on the permit
8. 8Administrative — Conduct documented pre-start toolbox briefing using this SWMS, sign-on register, daily ladder/EWP inspection and exclusion zone setup beneath all overhead work
9. 9PPE — Issue Category 2 arc-rated long sleeves, Class 00 insulated gloves with leather overgloves, and AS/NZS 1337 safety eyewear for all electrical termination tasks
10. 10PPE — Provide full-body harness with shock-absorbing lanyard to AS/NZS 1891.1, laser safety eyewear matched to fibre wavelength, and broad-brim hardhat with UPF 50+ neck flap for external work

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

On a regional council civic centre CCTV upgrade, the lead technician opens this SWMS at the 7:00am pre-start brief in the site shed with two apprentices and the building facility officer. Working through the hazard register, the team identifies that today's scope — replacing four eave-mounted cameras at 4.2 metres and reterminating the head-end power supply in the comms room — triggers both the energised work and fall-from-height HRCW categories. The crew confirms the scissor lift inspection sticker is current, walks the external route to mark the exclusion zone with bollards and bunting, and verifies that the comms room sub-board can be isolated and locked out without dropping the council's primary server feed. Each worker signs the SWMS register, including the facility officer who is briefed on the exclusion zone. Mid-morning, an unplanned change emerges — one camera position has been re-specified to a parapet location at 6.1 metres with no anchor point. The supervisor halts work, returns to the SWMS, and applies the documented change-management trigger: the parapet install is deferred pending an engineered anchor design and a SWMS amendment, while the remaining three cameras proceed under existing controls. The amended SWMS is re-signed before resuming work the following day.

Related legislation

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

Frequently asked questions