Product Overview

This Pool Maintenance SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement developed to identify hazards and implement controls for pool construction, servicing, and maintenance activities, helping you achieve strong WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of pool maintenance and associated construction work, from chemical handling and plant installation through to repairs and cleaning.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe installation, commissioning, isolation and maintenance of pool chlorinators
• Storage, decanting and handling of chlorine and other hazardous pool chemicals, including spill response and segregation
• Cleaning and maintaining outdoor pools, including manual and powered cleaning equipment use
• Creating and maintaining safe and easy entry and exit to the pool, including steps, ladders, handrails and access ways
• Installation, change-out and servicing of pool pumps, including electrical isolation and guarding of moving parts
• Installing swimming pool covers, including manual handling, trip prevention and working around water hazards
• Placement, operation and maintenance of pool cover rollers, including pinch-point and crush-risk controls
• Painting of pool interiors, including surface preparation, working in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, and managing fumes
• Plastering and rendering of the pool basin, including mixing materials, trowel work and housekeeping to prevent slips
• Placement and fixing of pool coping, including cutting, lifting, use of adhesives and control of silica dust
• Routine pool and outdoor cleaning, including pressure washing, debris removal and safe use of cleaning chemicals
• Pool chemical handling and dosing procedures to prevent exposure, mixing incompatibilities and environmental contamination
• Installation, operation and servicing of pool gas heaters and heat pumps, including gas safety and electrical controls
• Operation, inspection and maintenance of pool pumps and filters, including backwashing and confined plant spaces
• Repairing and maintaining water slides and pool structures, including work at height, access equipment and fall-prevention measures

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for pool builders, pool maintenance contractors, aquatic centre operators, facilities managers, and site supervisors responsible for pool construction, servicing and repair activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – guidance for safe storage, handling and use of pool chemicals such as chlorine
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – controls for working at height around pools, water slides and elevated structures
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – management of noise from pumps, pressure cleaners and powered equipment
• Code of Practice: Confined Spaces – where access to plant rooms, pits or enclosed pool structures may meet confined space criteria
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – risk management framework used throughout this SWMS
• Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace – requirements for first aid provisions where chemicals and drowning risks are present
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) – electrical safety requirements for pool pumps, chlorinators and heaters
• AS 1926 Swimming pool safety series – safety requirements related to pool barriers, access and associated structures
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017