Product Overview

This Plumbing Trenching and Drainage Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed to identify hazards, implement controls, and support safe work practices for plumbing trenching and drainage activities on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that consolidates multiple drainage, excavation, and plumbing tasks into one easy-to-use SWMS to support WHS compliance and effective risk management for High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Conducting basement flooding risk assessments, including identification of electrical, slip, and structural hazards
• Planning and carrying out below ground drainage work with appropriate shoring, benching, and trench support
• Safe usage of borescopes for internal pipe inspections and fault identification in confined or difficult-to-access areas
• Clearing tree roots and other obstructions from blocked pipes using mechanical, hydraulic, or chemical methods
• Digging trenches for rerouting sewage lines, including locating underground services and managing collapse risks
• Dirty water pumping operations for floodwater, greywater, and contaminated water removal
• Drain inspection procedures for existing and newly installed drainage systems
• Setting up and connecting drains for bathtubs, sinks, and other sanitary fixtures
• Drainage installation for stormwater, sewer, and sub-soil systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings
• Operation and maintenance of greywater systems, including collection, treatment, and discharge controls
• Inserting and removing drain plugs safely during testing, isolation, and maintenance activities
• Installing drain pipes, including cutting, joining, bedding, and backfilling around pipework
• Installing backflow prevention devices to protect potable water supplies from contamination
• Installing deep pits, sumps, and grease arrestors, including lifting, placement, and connection controls
• Installing sub-surface drainage systems to manage groundwater and prevent structural or soil stability issues
• General trenching risk controls, including access/egress, spoil placement, exclusion zones, and traffic management

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for plumbers, drainage contractors, civil plumbing crews, maintenance plumbers, and site supervisors responsible for plumbing trenching and drainage works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Construction Work – Managing health and safety risks associated with construction activities, including plumbing and trenching
• Code of Practice: Excavation Work – Requirements for safe trenching, shoring, and working in and around excavations
• Code of Practice: Confined Spaces – Guidance for work in pits, sumps, and enclosed drainage structures that may meet confined space criteria
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Controls for falls into trenches, pits, and excavations
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Managing musculoskeletal risks from handling pipes, pumps, and trenching equipment
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Controls for noisy plant such as pumps, cutters, and excavation equipment
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage – Technical requirements for the design and installation of plumbing and drainage systems
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) – Referenced for safe approach distances and interaction with underground electrical services
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017