Container Handling SWMS

Container handling covers the handling and movement of shipping containers — lifting, moving and positioning shipping containers using container handling plant such as reach stackers, forklifts and cranes at depots, ports and yards. The defining hazards are the heavy containers and the lifting plant, the stability of stacked containers, the load and lifting equipment, and the interaction of the large plant with workers. This document is written on the basis that container handling is carried out by competent operators with the plant, container-stability, lifting and pedestrian controls in place.

Container handling is carried out in connection with the plant requirements, with the container handling plant operated by competent licensed operators, the stacked containers kept stable, the lifting equipment and twistlocks used correctly, and the large plant separated from workers. The plant, the container stability, the lifting, and the pedestrian interaction are the considerations. This document coordinates the plant, container-stability, lifting and pedestrian controls so the container handling is carried out safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Administrative: have the container handling plant — reach stackers, forklifts and cranes — operated by competent and appropriately licensed operators, to the plant requirements.
2. 2Engineering: keep stacked containers stable, stacking within the safe height and configuration so they cannot collapse.
3. 3Engineering: use the lifting equipment, spreaders and twistlocks correctly, with the equipment rated and inspected, so a container cannot be dropped.
4. 4Engineering: separate pedestrians and powered mobile plant with designated traffic routes, exclusion zones, physical separation and a traffic management plan, because pedestrian and forklift or plant interaction is a leading cause of serious injury.
5. 5Engineering: manage forklift and plant stability and tip-over with the load within the rated capacity, correct travel and load-handling, and no overloading, on firm level ground where practicable.
6. 6Engineering: exclude people from beneath and around a container being lifted or positioned, and manage working at height on containers.
7. 7Administrative: manage the container condition and door hazards, and manage the yard traffic and other plant.
8. 8Administrative: confirm the containers are handled and positioned safely.
9. 9Administrative: all workers must hold the competencies and licences required for the work, including a High Risk Work Licence for forklift operation, a heavy vehicle driver licence for heavy vehicles, and any dangerous goods or other training required.
10. 10Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, traffic and plant movements, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
11. 11Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
12. 12PPE: high-visibility clothing, eye protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, hearing protection where required, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
13. 13Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

Operators are engaged to handle and move shipping containers in a yard. The container handling plant — reach stackers, forklifts and cranes — is operated by competent and appropriately licensed operators to the plant requirements. Stacked containers are kept stable, stacking within the safe height and configuration so they cannot collapse. The lifting equipment, spreaders and twistlocks are used correctly, with the equipment rated and inspected, so a container cannot be dropped. Pedestrians and the large plant are separated with traffic routes and exclusion zones. The plant stability and overturning are managed with the load within capacity. People are excluded from beneath and around a container being lifted or positioned, and working at height on containers managed. The container condition and door hazards, and the yard traffic and other plant, are managed. The containers are confirmed handled and positioned safely, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — the plant, hazardous manual tasks, hazardous chemicals and High Risk Work Licence provisions, and the Section 291 high risk construction work and SWMS duties where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Chain of Responsibility, the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018, and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, apply to heavy vehicles and the transport of dangerous goods, alongside the model WHS framework, and are administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and the state and territory dangerous goods regulators.
• Forklift operation requires a High Risk Work Licence (LF or LO class) under each state and territory's licensing scheme, and heavy vehicle driving requires the appropriate heavy vehicle driver licence; dangerous goods drivers require dangerous goods licensing and training.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the plant, manual handling, hazardous chemicals and high risk construction work provisions applying in place of the model instruments, alongside the Dangerous Goods Act 1985.

Frequently asked questions