This Watercart SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers operating a watercart on civil and earthworks sites, from filling the tank to pumping water into sumps. It breaks the job into 14 activities, from the daily pre-start meeting to accidents and incidents, 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 earthworks contractors
Watercart operators and water truck hire businesses
Road construction and maintenance crews
Contractors who work on mine and quarry sites
Plant hire companies supplying wet hire watercarts
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
Daily pre-start meeting on other crews and new hazards
Site preparation, including uneven ground and truck rollover
Taking a mechanically unserviceable truck out of use
Mobilising the truck to site without striking people
Pre-operation checks and following operating instructions
Safe cab access to prevent strains and falls
Moving on site around other plant and people, plus housekeeping
Pumping water into sumps, including slips, trips and fire when starting the pump
Filling the tank, covering rollover, run-away, falls from the tank top and whipping hoses
UHF communication failure and remote area work away from medical help
Inclement weather, storm cells and wildlife such as bees and snakes
Accidents and incidents, with injured workers or damaged plant
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 14 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, materials and the daily pre-start, scheduled inspection and maintenance checks for the truck
Licence and training needs, including a relevant truck licence and project specific induction
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 operating a watercart?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example working in an area where other powered mobile plant is moving, next to a road in use, or accessing the tank top 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 filling the tank?
Yes. It covers rollover, run-away and collision at the fill point, falls if the tank top is accessed, being struck by a whipping hose or failed coupling under pressure, and illness from contact with the water.
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.
