Mining Gas Extraction and Hydraulic Fracturing SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers mining gas extraction and hydraulic fracturing activities, including planning, site controls, wellhead work, treatment operations, flowback, maintenance and emergency response. It supports planning and managing risks associated with gas, pressure, chemicals, plant, fluids, energy and site movement.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Complete pre-start planning and induction
• Establish site access controls
• Position plant and equipment
• Inspect well barriers and the wellhead
• Connect treating iron and hoses
• Transfer chemicals and proppant
• Pressure-test the treatment system
• Pump hydraulic fracturing treatment
• Perform direct re-stimulation activities
• Manage flowback and produced fluids
• Conduct maintenance and isolation
• Respond to leaks, emergencies and demobilisation

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out mining gas extraction and hydraulic fracturing activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Applicable petroleum, gas, mining, dangerous goods, environmental protection, electrical safety, pressure-equipment and emergency-management legislation in the jurisdiction where the work occurs.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace — guidance on plant risk management, authorised operation, inspection, traffic controls and SWMS requirements.
• Model Code of Practice: Confined Spaces — guidance for atmosphere testing, isolation, entry permits, standby arrangements and rescue planning.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace — guidance for SDS, registers, storage, labelling, transfer and emergency controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace — hydraulic fracturing is identified as work that can expose workers to respirable crystalline silica; use isolation, enclosed cabs, wet suppression, extraction and RPE where residual exposure remains.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities; Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work; and Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 60079 series explosive atmospheres; AS 1940 storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids; AS 4332 storage and handling of gases in cylinders; AS 1210 pressure vessels; AS 4041 pressure piping; AS 2550 series cranes; AS 1418 series cranes; AS/NZS 3012 electrical installations—construction and demolition sites; AS/NZS 2865 confined spaces; AS/NZS 3760 in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
• Apply model Codes of Practice as guidance unless adopted or otherwise given legal effect in the relevant jurisdiction; verify jurisdiction-specific legal requirements before work starts.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections