Insulated Panel Cool Room Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

People often ask, “Can I have a Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for building a cool room?” “A document that covers everything?”  The answer is not really. 

A Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) needs to document step by step how you are going to do a particular job. Not all jobs are the same! Are you going to build a simple cool room by hand, manually lifting the panels and standing them up, or building a cold storage facility using a forklift, telehandler or a vacuum lifter?

The steps in undertaking each of these tasks are very different. Not only are the steps different, but the potential hazards and the hazard control measures are very different as well.

Hazards Associated with Installing Insulated Panel Cool Rooms and Freezers

The installation of insulated panel cool rooms and freezers comes with several significant hazards that workers and businesses must consider to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. These hazards can result in serious injuries, property damage, or long-term health risks if not properly managed. Below are some of the key hazards to be aware of:

Manual Handling Risks
Insulated panels are often large, heavy, and awkward to handle. Lifting and positioning them can lead to musculoskeletal injuries such as strains, sprains, and back injuries. Using mechanical aids, team lifting, and proper manual handling techniques are essential to reduce these risks.

Falls from Height
Workers may need to work at elevated levels to install insulated panels on walls or ceilings. Without proper fall protection, such as harnesses, guardrails, or elevated work platforms, the risk of falling from height is significant, potentially leading to severe injuries or fatalities.

Electrical Hazards
Many cool rooms and freezers require electrical connections for lighting, cooling systems, and other components. Workers are exposed to electrical hazards when installing or connecting these systems, particularly if the area is wet or moisture-prone, which can increase the risk of electric shock.

Confined Space Hazards
Installing panels in small, enclosed areas may expose workers to confined space risks, such as reduced oxygen levels, limited ventilation, and difficulties in accessing or exiting the area quickly in case of emergency.

Slips, Trips, and Falls
The installation process often creates obstacles such as loose panels, tools, and materials that can become trip hazards. Slippery surfaces from condensation or refrigerants can also lead to slips. Keeping the worksite clean and organized helps mitigate these risks.

Thermal Stress and Exposure
Working in or around cool rooms or freezers exposes workers to extreme cold, which can lead to hypothermia, frostbite, or other cold-related health issues. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including insulated gloves, clothing, and footwear, is necessary to prevent these risks.

Fire and Explosion Risks
The insulation materials used in cool rooms, such as foam panels, can be flammable if not correctly installed. Improper handling of refrigerants or other combustible materials in a confined space increases the risk of fire or explosion.

Noise Exposure
The tools and machinery used to cut and install insulated panels, as well as the refrigeration units, may generate high noise levels. Prolonged exposure to these noises can lead to hearing damage, making the use of appropriate hearing protection critical.

Chemical Exposure
Insulated panels often involve adhesives, solvents, and sealants that can emit harmful fumes during installation. These chemicals can pose risks such as respiratory irritation, skin contact hazards, or longer-term health effects. Proper ventilation and PPE, like masks and gloves, are essential to reduce exposure.

Cutting and Sharp Edges
Insulated panels need to be cut to size, which involves the use of saws and cutting tools. Improper handling of tools or sharp edges on panels can lead to cuts, lacerations, or more severe injuries.

Crushing
There is the risk of crushing a person between a suspended panel and a fixed object when lifting panels using a forklift, telehandler or crane.

 

By identifying and mitigating these hazards through risk assessments, proper planning, and the implementation of safety controls, businesses can ensure a safer working environment for those involved in installing insulated panel cool rooms and freezers.

 A SWMS provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to perform a task safely.

It ensures that everyone involved understands the necessary steps, reducing the likelihood of accidents due to confusion or misunderstanding.
 
The JSEAsy Safety Management Software builds your site-specific SWMS for your Insulated Panel job by adding templates of the steps you are going to take, in the order in which you are going to take them.
 

Watch a detailed demonstration video on how to create a new site-specific SWMS using existing templates.

Making SWMS has never been easier, just pick your job steps and the JSEAsy safety management software does all the hard work for you.

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JSEA/ SWMS Example

Below is an example of templates you may insert into your site-specific SWMS for the Installation of a ducted split system air conditioner.

  1. Site Orientation/ Induction
  2. Claim work area
  3. Site Emergency Response Procedure
  4. Working where there is movement of powered mobile plant
  5. Safety inspection and use of Telehandler
  6. Safety Check and Use of Scissor Lift
  7. Working with silica and silica containing products
  8. Cut aluminium sections using an electric mitre saw
  9. Mark out slab using a chalk line
  10. Fix aluminium sections to existing slab
  11. Lift insulated panels onto sawhorses/ trestles with a forklift
  12. Cut Insulated Panel with a circular/ cold saw
  13. Lift insulated panels using a lifting jib and vacuum lifter/Cladboy
  14. Load materials/members into scissor lift
  15. Install insulated ceiling panels to cool room
  16. Fit angles and trims using a battery powered drill and pop rivets
  17. Apply silicone or mastic to fixing angles and joints
  18. Cleaning up work area
  19. Monitoring and Review of SWMS

 

Automating the process

When you insert a template, it automatically brings with it:

  1. The main process step
  2. The sub process steps associated in undertaking the task
    1. The potential hazards associated with undertaking the task (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    2. The Risk Rating for undertaking the task (You can also change this if you want to)
    3. The Hazard Control measure (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    4. The revised risk rating after applying the control (You can also change this if you want to)
    5. Any required PPE (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    6. Any applicable licences or qualifications required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    7. Any preoperational inspections required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    8. Any applicable legislation or codes of practice (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)

Save time and Money!

Hundreds of templates included – 1 low price – Exceptional value!

When you buy or rent the JSEAsy Safety Software, not only to get all the templates specifically for insulated panels but you also get all the templates for all the other industries and trades as well. Insulated Panel contractors don’t just stand-up panels!

You will also benefit from many of the refrigeration, electrical, mechanical and concreting templates. There are also multiple templates under Roof Plumbing that will be of use. You may benefit from many other industry and trade templates if you are doing a complete rebuild including demolition of the existing structure and a new cool room including under floor heating, floor insulation, wearing slab, refrigeration and wall protection. 

Order Now!

A list of all the templates included in all versions of the JSEAsy EHS software is shown below.

  • You can search by scrolling through the list of all templates.
  • You can apply filters to the list by selecting an Industry Type
  • You can further refine the list by selecting and industry type and an industry specific.
  • You can do key word searches for templates.  If you can’t find what you are looking for try:
    • Shortening the search term. For example, searching for “deliv” would show deliver and deliveries, but if you searched for deliveries, it would exclude deliver.
    • Look for a synonyms/ alternate word for what you are looking for. E.g. tube or pipe

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