This Drain Clearing and High Pressure Jetting SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for clearing blocked sewer and stormwater drains with drain machines, hand rods and high pressure jetters. It covers 25 activities, from job planning and confined space assessment to proving the line, reinstatement and emergency response, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Licensed plumbers and drainers
Drain clearing and jetting contractors
Council and water utility maintenance contractors
Facilities maintenance contractors for commercial and strata properties
Drain camera and pipe inspection operators
A SWMS isn't only for construction sites. Plenty of plumbing and maintenance businesses use one as the written risk assessment for a task, the same way others use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
 
Use it to
Show clients, insurers and auditors how you manage the risks
Apply for tenders, contracts and supplier panels
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and train them in the task
 
What this SWMS covers
Job planning, drainage asset identification and confined space assessment
Traffic management at maintenance holes in roads, driveways and car parks
Work zone set-up so no one falls into an open maintenance hole or pit
Jetter, hose and drain machine checks, including backflow protection for drinking water
Heavy covers and lids, and spiders, snakes and wasps nesting under them
Atmospheric testing for hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, oxygen deficiency and flammable vapour
Drain machine entanglement and cable kickback
High pressure injection injuries, hose whip, blowback and sewage infection risks
Root cutting, sharps in recovered debris and asbestos cement pipe
Pump and generator hazards, servicing and proving the line
Occupied premises, working alone, decontamination and reinstating covers
Emergency response to injection injuries, sewer gas exposure, falls or pollution incidents
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 25 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials and maintenance checks for the jetter, gas detector and harness
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4233.1 for high pressure water jetting and AS/NZS 2865 for confined spaces
Competency requirements for jetting operators, plus immunisation awareness for sewage contact work
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
 
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for drain clearing and jetting?
Only if the job is high risk construction work, for example working at a maintenance hole in a road in use, near a shaft deeper than 1.5 metres, or in or near a confined space. Routine clearing of a blocked drain at a house or business often isn't, so a SWMS isn't always mandatory. You still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients, councils and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover confined space entry?
It covers assessing whether a maintenance hole, pump well or pit meets the confined space definition, including leaning head and shoulders in, and atmospheric testing at the opening. Confined space entry, standby and permit competency is required if any entry is undertaken.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.