This Refuelling Plant & Equipment SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers storing, decanting and refuelling fuel for plant and vehicles. It covers 16 activities, from pre-operating safety checks to driving out of the refuel area, remote area work and incident 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
Civil and earthmoving contractors refuelling plant on site
Plant hire businesses and fleet depots
Farms and agricultural businesses with bulk fuel storage
Contractors working on mine and quarry sites
It also works as a written task risk assessment for any business where workers refuel plant and vehicles, the same way you'd use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
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
Pre-operating safety checks for fumes, explosion risk and fuel spills
Labelling, storage and decanting into correct, labelled containers
Handling fuel safely, including hygiene, fumes, spills and fire
Driving plant or vehicles to the refuel point in shared traffic areas
Removing mechanically unserviceable plant from use
Aligning plant with the pump without hitting it or other vehicles
Refuelling, including fumes, manual handling and climbing in and out of the cab
Static, bonding and earthing when decanting fuel to prevent fire or flash fire
Driving plant or vehicles out of the refuel area
Out of service tagging to stop unauthorised operation
Remote area work, inclement weather and environmental changes
Response to injuries, incidents and damaged plant
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 16 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 storage containers, tanks, bunding and fuel pumps
Maintenance checks and the SDS training each worker needs
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 refuelling plant and equipment?
A SWMS is legally required when refuelling is part of high risk construction work, for example in an area with movement of powered mobile plant or where there may be a flammable atmosphere. 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 static and earthing when decanting fuel?
Yes. It covers bonding and earthing during fuel transfers to prevent fire or explosion from a static discharge, flash fire from petrol vapour at the fill point, and fuel spills.
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.
