Product Overview

This Pipe Laying SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for all stages of pipe laying operations. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of pipe laying safety and supports your organisation in meeting its WHS compliance obligations on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe handling, lifting, and placement of PVC pipes and columns to minimise manual handling injuries
• Installation of PVC pipe in trenches greater than 1.5 metres, including shoring, benching, and trench shielding requirements
• Installation of PVC pipe in trenches less than 1.5 metres, with controls for ground stability, access, and egress
• Laying of sewer pipes, including alignment, bedding, jointing, and contamination control measures
• Laying of stormwater pipes with attention to gradient, flow direction, and prevention of blockages or collapse
• General pipe laying in trenches, including excavation interfaces, spoil placement, and exclusion zones
• Operation of pipelayer machines, including pre-start checks, safe operating procedures, and spotter use
• Road pipe laying activities, including traffic management, working near live traffic, and road reinstatement
• Use of lifting equipment, slings, and lifting attachments for loading, unloading, and positioning pipes
• Working around existing underground services, including service location, potholing, and no-go zone controls
• Control of environmental risks such as sediment runoff, water ingress into trenches, and waste management
• Emergency response planning for trench collapse, plant incidents, and exposure to contaminated water or sewage

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, plumbers, drainers, pipelayers, utility installers, and site supervisors involved in sewer, stormwater, and road-related pipe laying works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Excavation Work – Guidance on managing risks associated with trenches and excavations during pipe laying
• Code of Practice: Construction Work – Requirements for planning and carrying out construction-related pipe laying activities safely
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Controls for lifting, carrying, and handling pipes and associated materials
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace – Safe use of pipelayer machines, excavators, and lifting equipment
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage – Technical requirements for installation of sewer and stormwater pipework
• AS 4799: Installation of underground utility services and pipelines – Guidance on safe installation practices for underground pipelines and services
• AS 1742 Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Requirements for traffic management during road pipe laying activities
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017