Civil Drain Clearing

SWMS · SWMS-10441

15 job steps
Version 5
Civil Works
Reads on any phone

This SWMS guides clearing drains with mobile plant safely and in line with current regulations. Workers and supervisors use it to control the risks on the job and keep the work area safe.

It takes the crew through 15 job steps: training, planning, checking the weather, arriving on site, setting up the work area, delivering and removing the machine, the environment, housekeeping, manual tasks, dust control, drain cleaning, loading spoil, fuelling, completion and emergency response.

It suits drainage contractors, public works departments, maintenance teams and site supervisors.

Written by SafetyDocs safety experts, who have been writing safety documents since 2004.

Civil Drain Clearing

SWMSVersion 5

Company doing the work: [Company]
Business contact and phone: —
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work): —
Responsible person's phone: —
Responsible person's signature: —
Date signed: —

Principal Contractor (PC): —
PC Address: —
PC phone: —
Date SWMS provided to PC: —
Job Site Address: —
Part of a construction project: —

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW - identified in the Job Task column)

Mobile Plant
Gas Mains
Hazardous Lines
Energised Electrical
Hazardous Atmosphere
Traffic Corridors

Planning and preparation

Planning/Preparation

Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures
Establish supervisory and communication arrangements
Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training/Licence

All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card
Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training. Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.
Trained First Aider on site
All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs
Attend all site inductions/briefings
Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)
Only carry out work related to the contract
Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitor/Review

All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences
SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident
If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit
People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP
Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS
The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS
SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review
Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident
Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment

Foot Protection
Hearing Protection
High Visibility
Head Protection
Eye Protection
Hand Protection
Protective Clothing
Breathing Protection
Sun Protection

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

Work activity
Training
- Hazard
  Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – dust inhalation
  Before controls3 High
  Controls
  - Training and information provided to workers on RCS should include:
    Identification of RCS dust through Safety Datasheet (SDS) or labels
    Dust exposure prevention strategies
    Checking controls are working and using them
    When and how to use any respiratory protective equipment provided and what to do if something goes wrong (Including worker respirator fit and check processes).
  After controls2 Moderate
  Responsible
  - Supervisor
- Hazard
  Powered mobile plant movement
  Before controls4 Acute
  Controls
  - Ensure an effective system of communication between the machine operator and ground workers established before work commences
  - Groundworkers instructed:
    Not to approach the machine until the operator has agreed to their request to approach
    On set distances to maintain from the machine while in operation
    With the blind spots of the machine
  - All powered mobile plant operator must have:
    Relevant training and licensing
    Manufacturers instruction manual
    Maintenance records
    Pre-operational checks conducted on all plant before use
  - All powered mobile plant must be used or operated as per the manufacturer’s recommendations
  - Operators will follow the guidance provided in Safe Work Method Statements, Safe Work Procedures, Risk Assessments and as outlined by on-the-job training and supervision when operating plant
  - Under no circumstances is faulty or damaged plant & equipment to be used.
  After controls2 Moderate
  Responsible
  - Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

Work activity
Planning
Plan traffic management, lighting and contractor SWMS
Work activity
Check weather conditions & prepare
Check the weather and prepare for lightning, heat and cold
Work activity
Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditions
Assess site hazards and report to the site supervisor on arrival
Work activity
Work area set-up
Set up traffic control and exclusion zones, and keep clear of power lines
Work activity
Delivery, set-up & removal of the machine
Unload, position and remove the machine on safe ground
Work activity
Environment
Protect the environment during drain clearing
Work activity
House keeping
Keep the work area clean and clear of trip hazards
Work activity
Manual tasks
Lift and handle materials safely
Work activity
Dust control
Control dust with water and an enclosed cabin
Work activity
Drain cleaning
Operate the machine safely while clearing the drain
Work activity
Loading spoil
Load spoil onto trucks safely
Work activity
Fuelling on-site
Refuel safely and manage fire risk
Work activity
On completion
Park the machine, secure the site and wash up
Work activity
Emergency response
Follow the emergency response steps

Permits

Plant and equipment

Hazardous substances

Supervisory arrangements

SWMS Sign-off

This SWMS developed in consultation and cooperation with workers and relevant organisation representatives. I have read the above SWMS, and I understand its contents. I confirm that I have the skills and training, including relevant certification, to conduct the task as described. I agree to comply with safety requirements within this SWMS, including risk control measures, safe work instructions, and PPE described.

Worker’s name	Job role / positione.g. supervisor, worker, trainee	Licences, competencies & qualificationsType / descriptionClassNumber	Date	Signature
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)
		General construction induction (White Card)

Hierarchy of controls

Risk matrix

	Criteria	Description

Level of Effect	Example of each level

Score	Action

Likelihood ↑	InsignificantNo effect, or so minor that the effect is acceptable	MinorMinor first aid treatment, minimal business disruption, minimal environmental effect	ModerateSerious injuries, medium business interruption, medium environmental impact	MajorExtensive injuries or fatality, significant business interruption, environmental harm, prosecution	CatastrophicMultiple permanent disabilities or fatalities, business failure, substantial environmental harm, prosecution or imprisonment
	Consequence →
Almost certainExpected in most circumstances	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute	4 Acute
LikelyWill probably occur in most circumstances	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute	4 Acute
PossibleCould possibly occur at some time	1 Low	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute
UnlikelyUnlikely but possible	1 Low	1 Low	2 Moderate	3 High	4 Acute
RareHighly unlikely to occur	1 Low	1 Low	2 Moderate	2 Moderate	3 High

1 LowRecord and monitor. Proceed with work, and review the risks regularly.
2 ModerateMaintain control measures. Be cautious when working, and monitor and review regularly.
3 HighReview before commencing work. Introduce new controls or maintain high-level controls to lower the risk level, and monitor the controls frequently.
4 AcuteDo not proceed until the risk level is reduced. Immediately introduce high-level controls, and re-assess before proceeding.

14 more job steps, from Planning to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

15 job steps

TrainingTrain workers on silica dust and mobile plant
PlanningPlan traffic management, lighting and contractor SWMS
Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for lightning, heat and cold
Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsAssess site hazards and report to the site supervisor on arrival
Work area set-upSet up traffic control and exclusion zones, and keep clear of power lines
Delivery, set-up & removal of the machineUnload, position and remove the machine on safe ground
EnvironmentProtect the environment during drain clearing
House keepingKeep the work area clean and clear of trip hazards
Manual tasksLift and handle materials safely
Dust controlControl dust with water and an enclosed cabin
Drain cleaningOperate the machine safely while clearing the drain
Loading spoilLoad spoil onto trucks safely
Fuelling on-siteRefuel safely and manage fire risk
On completionPark the machine, secure the site and wash up
Emergency responseFollow the emergency response steps

Civil Drain Clearing

Site management plan

High-risk construction work