Pipeline Pressure Testing SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning pipeline pressure testing, establishing exclusion zones, isolating and testing the pipeline, depressurising, rectifying defects and sign-off. It supports planning and managing risks from stored pressure, line or fitting failure, hose movement, water discharge, plant and unauthorised access.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the test scope
• Establish a test exclusion zone
• Isolate and prove the pipeline
• Position plant and test equipment
• Inspect hoses, fittings and test components
• Fill and vent the pipeline
• Pressurise the test section
• Hold pressure and inspect the test
• Depressurise and drain the pipeline
• Rectify defects and retest
• Demobilise and sign off

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out pipeline pressure testing.

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, including duties to manage risks, consult workers, provide safe plant, control hazardous chemicals, manage construction work and prepare SWMS where high-risk construction work is involved.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks; use as guidance only where adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction. The risk-management process includes identifying hazards, assessing risk where needed, applying controls and reviewing controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace; use as guidance only where adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work; use as guidance only where adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work; the referenced exposure standard is LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) or LC,peak 140 dB(C).
• AS 2885 series, Pipelines—Gas and liquid petroleum; AS 4041, Pressure piping; AS/NZS 3788, Pressure equipment—In-service inspection; AS 1319, Safety signs for the occupational environment; AS 1345, Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts.
• Apply the pipeline owner’s approved engineering drawings, test specification, isolation standard and manufacturer instructions. Model WHS laws and model Codes do not automatically have legal effect in every Australian jurisdiction.

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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