This Fuel SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers storing, labelling, decanting and cleaning up petrol and diesel at work. It breaks the job into 8 activities, from the pre-operating safety checks to 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
Farms and agricultural businesses that store and decant fuel
Grounds, landscaping and garden maintenance crews running petrol equipment
Fleet, plant hire and mechanical workshops
Civil and construction contractors refuelling plant and generators
Councils and facilities crews with on-site fuel stores
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of businesses use one as the written risk assessment for handling fuel, 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
Briefing workers on new or introduced hazards before fuel handling starts
Pre-operating safety checks for competence, fume exposure, explosion risk and spills
Labelling fuel containers and avoiding unknown or wrongly labelled substances
Storage that prevents leaks and keeps fuel away from incompatible chemicals
Fire and explosion risk from stored fuel, including property and environmental damage
Decanting fuel into equipment, including burns, fume inhalation and skin irritation
Manual handling when lifting and pouring fuel containers
Spill clean-up, including fume inhalation and slips, trips and falls
Fuel waste disposal and preventing environmental contamination
Emergency response to a fuel fire, vapour explosion, large spill or serious injury
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 8 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
PPE list covering goggles, face and hand protection, overalls and breathing protection
Maintenance checks for tanks, bunds, hoses, nozzles, pumps and earthing and bonding connections
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 handling and decanting fuel?
Only if the work is high risk construction work, for example refuelling where powered mobile plant is moving, working on or near fuel lines, or working in an area that may have a flammable atmosphere. Otherwise a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage risks like fire and fume exposure, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover both petrol and diesel?
Yes. The materials listed are fuel, petrol and diesel, and it covers storage, labelling, decanting into equipment, spill clean-up and fuel waste disposal.
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.
