Plumbing Trenching and Drainage Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers plumbing trenching and drainage work, from service locating and site set-up through excavation, pipe placement and emergency response. It supports planning by identifying trench, service, plant, atmospheric, water, electrical and manual handling hazards for risk management.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan work and locate available underground services before excavation
• Set up the work area to manage access around open trenches
• Coordinate plant, vehicle and excavation movements near trench edges
• Assess trench stability and changing ground conditions
• Manage safe entry, exit and movement around trenches
• Address atmospheric hazards, sewer gases and ventilation in trenches and drainage connections
• Plan for water ingress, flooding and wet-ground conditions
• Handle and position pipes, fittings, pumps, grates and spoil
• Use electrical tools, pumps and temporary services safely
• Prepare for emergencies and changes in site conditions

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out plumbing trenching and drainage activities.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Excavation work — 2.3. Controlling the risks; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Construction work — 6.2 Workplace specific induction training; p. 41.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.

---

Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use