This Non-Destructive Digging (Hydro and Vacuum Excavation) SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for locating and exposing underground services with a vacuum excavation truck, using high-pressure water or air. It covers 29 activities, from service plans, asset owner conditions and locating services to spoil disposal, shutdown 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
Non-destructive digging and vacuum excavation contractors
Civil and utility contractors potholing before excavation
Plumbers, drainers and pipe layers
Electrical, telecommunications and gas network contractors
Service locators who expose assets to confirm their position
 
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
Before You Dig Australia plans, asset owner conditions, permits, and locating and marking services
Driving and positioning the vacuum truck, ground stability and overhead powerlines
Traffic and pedestrian management for work on roads and footpaths
Pre-start checks of hoses, couplings, the lance trigger and emergency stops
High-pressure water injection and lance kickback, plus flying debris and dust from air excavation
Suction hose entrapment, clearing blockages and boom movement
Exposing electrical cables, gas and fuel lines, fibre and asbestos cement pipes
Contaminated ground, sewer gas, service pits and the debris tank
Open potholes and slots, including collapse, undermining and falls
Cutting concrete and asphalt, silica dust, noise and vibration
Dumping spoil, slurry and wash water disposal, water filling and refuelling
Shutdown and emergency response to a service strike, injection injury or collapse
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 29 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, maintenance checks and the training each worker needs
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 5488.1 for subsurface utility information and AS/NZS 4233.1 for high pressure water jetting
Qualification notes, including RIICCM303 Conduct vacuum excavations
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 non-destructive digging?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example digging near energised electrical cables or gas mains, working beside a road in use by traffic, or an excavation deeper than 1.5 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 asset owners often ask for one either way.
Does it set water pressures and dig distances?
No, because those come from each asset owner. The SWMS has the operator set water pressure, nozzle type, lance distance and hand dig distances to the asset owner's conditions, and treat service plans as approximate until the services are located and exposed.
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.