Commercial Kitchen Fitout SWMS

Commercial kitchen fitout involves the installation of stainless steel benches, cooking suites, exhaust canopies, refrigeration, gas distribution piping and three-phase electrical services within tight, occupied or newly constructed hospitality premises. The work combines structural fixing at height (canopy and duct suspension), penetrations through fire-rated construction, gas fitting to appliances and manifolds, and connection of energised switchboards. Manual handling of heavy prefabricated modules through narrow access, hot works during ductwork modification, and coordination with wet trades create overlapping hazards in a compressed program.

Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), section 291, this scope constitutes high risk construction work because it involves a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres, work on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping, and work on or near energised electrical installations. Section 299 therefore requires a Safe Work Method Statement to be prepared before the work commences. Controls follow the hierarchy in section 36, prioritising elimination and engineering solutions over administrative measures and PPE.

Hazards identified

12 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Eliminate work at height where possible by pre-assembling canopy sections and duct runs at ground level and lifting as complete modules using mechanical aids.
2. 2Substitute wet-cut core drilling and water-fed masonry saws for dry cutting to suppress respirable crystalline silica at source, in accordance with AS/NZS 60335.2.69 for wet extraction where applicable.
3. 3Engineer fall protection using mobile scaffolds or elevating work platforms compliant with AS/NZS 1576 and AS 2550.10; edge protection and guardrails are the primary control for any work surface above 2 m.
4. 4Isolate gas supply at the meter or upstream valve, purge lines to atmosphere via an approved vent, and pressure-test all new work to AS/NZS 5601.1 before commissioning; a licensed gasfitter must perform and certify all gas work.
5. 5De-energise electrical circuits, apply lock-out/tag-out and verify dead with a tested voltage indicator in accordance with AS/NZS 4836; all installation work performed by a licensed electrician and tested/certified to AS/NZS 3000.
6. 6Implement a hot work permit system with 30-minute fire watch, charged extinguisher, welding blankets and isolation of smoke detectors coordinated with the building manager; comply with AS 1674.1 for fire precautions during welding and cutting.
7. 7Prior to demolition, review the building asbestos register (mandatory for pre-31/12/2003 structures under WHS Regulation 2025 s425) and engage a licensed removalist for any identified ACM.
8. 8Use on-tool H-class HEPA dust extraction for all silica-generating tasks, and provide RPE to AS/NZS 1716 with fit-testing to AS/NZS 1715 where residual exposure exists.
9. 9Provide mechanical lifting aids (panel lifters, appliance trolleys, engine cranes) for loads over 25 kg; establish two-person lifts and clear travel paths through the site.
10. 10Enforce PPE baseline: safety footwear and eye protection (AS/NZS 1337.1), cut-resistant gloves (AS/NZS 2161.3) when handling stainless, Class 5 hearing protection (AS/NZS 1270) during power tool use, and P2 respirators for dust tasks.
11. 11Coordinate with the principal contractor and hospitality client on occupied-premises controls: exclusion zones, after-hours scheduling, and isolation of fire and gas systems affecting neighbouring tenancies.
12. 12All workers to hold CPCCWHS1001 (White Card); conduct daily pre-start briefings on the SWMS and consult workers on control changes in accordance with WHS Act 2011 (NSW) section 47, and review the SWMS under WHS Regulation 2025 section 302 whenever controls, personnel or scope change.

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

A shopfitting subcontractor is engaged to deliver a new 180-cover restaurant fitout in Parramatta, NSW. Scope includes demolition of an existing 1990s tenancy kitchen, installation of a 6-metre stainless exhaust canopy at 2.4 m AFFL, a six-burner cooking suite on a new gas manifold, and three-phase supply to combi ovens from an upgraded distribution board. Because the work triggers s291 categories, a SWMS is prepared before mobilisation and signed by all workers at pre-start. The canopy is pre-assembled at ground level and lifted using a scissor lift with guardrails; gas piping is tested to AS/NZS 5601.1 by a licensed gasfitter and certified before purge and commissioning; electrical terminations are performed under lock-out with a licensed electrician verifying dead. When the client requests an additional wok stove late in the program, the SWMS is formally reviewed under section 302 and workers re-consulted before the varied work proceeds.

Related legislation

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)
• Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 (NSW)
• Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) — licensing of gasfitting and electrical work
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) — fitout approvals
• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) — construction waste and noise

Frequently asked questions