This Gas Operations SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers testing, purging, excavating for, hot working on and reinstating gas lines. It sets out 17 activities, from establishing site access to reinstating the gas supply 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 gasfitters and plumbing businesses
Gas distribution and network maintenance contractors
Civil contractors installing gas mains and services
Commercial and industrial gas appliance installers
Mechanical services and plumbing contractors
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
What this SWMS covers
Establishing site access, locating underground services and stopping unauthorised access
Testing and purging gas lines to prevent fire or explosion
Excavation and trenching, including contact with buried electrical services
Respirable crystalline silica from cutting, grinding, drilling or chasing concrete, masonry and tile
Manual handling of pipes, tools and cylinders
Live gas work and hot work, with fire and explosion controls
Working at height on roofs, scaffolds and ladders, including dropped tools
Reinstating the gas supply safely
Working around vehicles and powered mobile plant
Gas building up in trenches, pits and meter enclosures, including LPG pooling
Gas releases, waste disposal and post-work checks for leaks and unsecured cylinders
Emergency response to a gas leak, fire, explosion or serious injury
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 17 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, from leak detectors and pressure gauges to spill kits
Licence requirements, including a gasfitting licence or registration sighted and recorded before work starts
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 gas work?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, and gas work often is: work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping, work in a trench deeper than 1.5 m, or work where someone could fall more than 2 metres. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients, head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover LPG in trenches and pits?
Yes. It covers asphyxiation, fire and explosion from gas building up in trenches, pits, meter enclosures and other poorly ventilated spaces, including LPG pooling at the bottom because it's heavier than air.
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.
