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Water Working In-Over-Adjacent

SWMS · SWMS-10292

  • 12 job steps
  • Version 6
  • Civil Works
  • Reads on any phone

This Water Working In-Over-Adjacent Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the hazards and controls for land-based construction work near water bodies (tidal or non-tidal) or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning, and for marine construction work in a body of water.

It covers 12 job steps, from planning, training and an emergency rescue plan to the risk assessment, daily inspection of rescue equipment, worksite set-up, working in, over or near water, shallow diving, mobile plant near water, completion and emergency response.

It includes controls for drowning, waterborne disease, hypothermia and impact injuries, and for the high-risk construction work of working in or near water.

It suits construction companies, contractors and workers on projects near water, including marine construction, landscaping and civil engineering.

Preview of the Water Working In-Over-Adjacent SWMS

Water Working In-Over-Adjacent

SWMSVersion 6
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact
—
Phone #
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Signature
—
Date
—
Contact phone #
—
Principal contractor (PC)
[Principal contractor]
PC address
—
PC phone #
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job site address
[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)

  • Water & DrowningIn or near water or other liquid that involves the risk of drowning

Planning and preparation

Planning

  • 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 and licences

  • 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.

Monitoring and 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 (PPE)

  • Foot 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

    Planning

    • Hazard

      Adverse weather

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Adverse weather is a factor that can increase the danger, and work conditions can change quickly:

        • Do not work in high winds, when visibility is low and in periods during and after heavy rains

        • Consider rescheduling operations.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Exposure to waterborne diseases

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Offer relevant vaccinations as required and ensure they are up to date, i.e., Hepatitis A, Tetanus, consult relevant medical professionals

      • Provide first aid with waterproof band-aids

      • Ensure access to clean drinking water and staff amenities (eating area, toilets etc.)

      • Provide handwashing facilities with soap and paper towels

      • Blue/green algae (toxic-cyano bacteria) – reschedule operations.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Drowning

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • NEVER work alone near water

      • Ensure there are adequate numbers of workers so that if one of you does fall in, there is someone to raise the alarm

      • Ensure sufficient staff for the task. Include Spotters where required

      • Organise spotters according to the type of water body and risk.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Decreased visibility

      Before controls3 High
      Controls

      • Use Spotters as required to ensure vehicles/equipment/materials and workers do not breach exclusion zones

      • Ensure buoyancy devices are illuminated.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

11 more job steps, from Training to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

12 job steps

  1. PlanningCheck the weather, arrange vaccinations and hygiene, and never work alone near water
  2. TrainingTrain workers in CPR and rescue, and check they can swim or tread water
  3. Establish an emergency rescue planPlan the alarm, rescue and medical response, and brief the emergency rescue service
  4. Conduct risk assessmentAssess the site for water hazards and choose controls down the hierarchy
  5. Assess on-site conditionsCheck mobile reception on arrival and carry a phone in a waterproof bag
  6. Pre-inspect rescue equipment dailyInspect rescue equipment, flotation devices, slings, chains and hooks daily
  7. Worksite set-upProtect edges and openings, set no-go zones and keep a safety boat on hand
  8. Working in/over/near waterWear a life jacket, keep clean around contaminated water and never work deeper than waist height
  9. Shallow diving (free air and snorkelling)Check the water before diving, keep a dive buddy and never practise holding breath
  10. Powered mobile plant operation over/near waterKeep mobile plant away from the water's edge and never operate it alone
  11. On completionRemove or add barricades, sign everyone out and leave by the designated routes
  12. Emergency responseCall 000, follow site emergency procedures, give first aid and report the incident

Hazards it covers

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