This Irrigation Installation SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers trenching, laying pipe, connecting controllers and commissioning irrigation systems on domestic, commercial and rural sites. It covers 33 activities, from locating underground services before excavation to securing the site, handover 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
Irrigation installers and contractors
Landscapers and landscape construction businesses
Plumbers who install irrigation and backflow devices
Council, school and sports field grounds contractors
Rural and agricultural irrigation 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
Underground service location, setting out and suspect asbestos in soil
Barricading open trenches and working beside roads and driveways
Overhead powerlines, and transporting and unloading plant
Walk-behind trencher contact with the digging chain and kickback
Mini excavators, compact loaders and potholing over located services
Striking buried electricity, gas, water, sewer or telecommunications services
Trench collapse, boring under paths and cutting concrete with silica controls
Altering existing systems, joining pipe and solvent cement vapour
Mains connection, backflow prevention and 240 V controller wiring
Pumps, tanks and bores, pressure testing and commissioning
Backfilling, noise, heat, wildlife and working alone on rural sites
Emergency response to a service strike, plant entrapment, severe cut or snake bite
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 33 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, including the trencher, cable locator and thrust borer, with daily pre-start checks
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 2845.1 for backflow prevention and AS/NZS 3500.1 for water services
Licensing for mains connection, backflow work and 240 V wiring, plus silica and service location training
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 irrigation installation?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example a trench deeper than 1.5 metres, trenching on a verge next to a road in use, or working where excavators and loaders are moving. 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. Builders, councils and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Is irrigation work licensed plumbing work in Victoria?
The SWMS notes that in Victoria, non-agricultural irrigation work to the last valve on a pressurised zone is separate licensed plumbing work. In every state, the mains connection is done by a licensed plumber, and testable backflow devices are installed and tested by a plumber holding the backflow endorsement your state or territory requires.
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.