This Drain Clearing & High-Pressure Jetting SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) covers using a high-pressure jetter to clear blockages in drains, sewer lines and in-building pipework. It covers hose and coupling ratings, nozzle selection, safe insertion depth, the dead-man control, exclusion zones, exhaust from petrol and diesel units, bleeding off pressure before clearing faults, and hydraulic injection injury response. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Plumbers and drainers
Drain cleaning and jetting contractors
Councils and water authorities
Facilities and property maintenance businesses
Commercial kitchen and grease trap service providers
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Hydraulic injection injury from direct or reflected contact with the jet
Whipping or dropped hose if the dead-man control fails
Burst hoses and failed couplings from mismatched or under-rated parts
Contact with sewage, grease and trade waste
Entanglement in the hose reel and drive mechanism
Slips on wet, greasy ground around the access point
Noise from the pump and engine
Manual handling of heavy, pressurised hose
Exhaust fumes from petrol or diesel units and electric shock near water
Traffic and open manholes or pits near the work
What's included
12 pre-operational checks, from hose and coupling ratings and safe insertion depth to dead-man control tests, nozzle choice and barricading
A 12-step operating procedure covering positioning, feeding and advancing the hose, stalls and kinks, safe depth and retrieval
Isolation and energy control for residual water pressure, bleeding to zero, and never bypassing the trigger or dead-man control
9 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for injection injuries, hose whip, coupling failure, sewage contamination and exhaust fumes
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Plumbing SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover pressure washing?
No. General surface or equipment washdown with a high-pressure washer is covered by a separate SOP, as are CCTV drain inspection, excavation and confined space entry.
How does it treat injection injuries?
As a medical emergency, however minor they look. Workers shut down, seek urgent medical attention and tell the treating doctor the injury came from high-pressure water jetting.
Can petrol jetters be used indoors?
No. Petrol and diesel units are set up outdoors so exhaust can't drift into the drain, doorways or air intakes. Electric or hydraulic units are used for indoor or poorly ventilated work.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, 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.
