Product Overview

This Chemicals - Spills and Leaks Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the step-by-step safety controls for preventing, responding to, and cleaning up chemical and fluid spills on Australian worksites to maintain WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of hazardous liquids management, from spill prevention and containment through to decontamination, waste disposal, and post-incident review for High Risk Construction Work environments.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe handling and immediate response procedures for minor and major chemical spills
• Systematic clean up of spillages at accident or incident sites, including traffic and construction areas
• Cleaning up oil spills on hardstand, soil, workshop floors, and near drainage systems
• Cleanup of spilled fluids such as coolants, lubricants, solvents, and process chemicals
• Dealing with spills of toxic or hazardous substances, including isolation, evacuation, and escalation protocols
• Managing spilled liquids in workshops, plant rooms, refuelling areas, and storage facilities
• Procedures for dealing with spills immediately to minimise slip hazards, fire risk, and environmental harm
• Diesel spill containment, absorption, and remediation on roads, yards, and construction sites
• Emergency spill response, including alarm-raising, use of spill kits, and coordination with emergency services
• Safe handling and control of fuel spills during refuelling, decanting, and transfer operations
• Leaking fluid containment from vehicles, plant, and equipment, including drip trays and bunding
• Management of fluid recovery, collection, labelling, and disposal of contaminated absorbents and waste
• Managing diesel contamination of soil, drains, and waterways, including reporting and remediation steps
• Identification and control of hydraulic leaks on mobile plant and fixed equipment
• Preventing oil and chemical spills through correct storage, bunding, inspection, and maintenance practices

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for construction contractors, civil and road crews, mechanics and workshop operators, transport and logistics providers, fuel handlers, plant operators, and site supervisors responsible for managing chemical and fluid spill risks.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing, and controlling risks from hazardous chemicals, including spills and leaks
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice: Requirements for SDS information used in spill response planning
• Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice: Labelling requirements to support safe storage, handling, and spill management
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe workplace conditions, including spill control and emergency facilities
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing spill control measures
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on first aid requirements for chemical exposure and spill incidents
• Safe Work Australia – National Standard for the Storage and Handling of Workplace Dangerous Goods: Requirements for safe storage and handling of dangerous goods to reduce spill risks
• AS 1940: The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids: Requirements for storage, transfer, and spill containment of fuels and flammable liquids
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017