Product Overview

This Water Damage Restoration SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify, control, and minimise the risks associated with professional water damage remediation work. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of water damage restoration activities to support strong WHS compliance and effective risk management on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe handling and management of large volumes of water during extraction and clean-up operations
• Use of pumps, wet vacuums, and extraction equipment to remove standing and pooled water
• Repairing and replacing water-damaged drywall, plasterboard, and internal wall linings
• Assessment and removal of saturated insulation, skirting boards, and affected building materials
• Setting up dehumidifiers, air movers, and ventilation systems to dry affected areas safely
• Identification and control of electrical hazards in water-affected areas, including isolation and lockout
• Management of slip, trip, and fall risks on wet, uneven, or obstructed surfaces
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for exposure to contaminated water, mould, and cleaning chemicals
• Safe handling, storage, and use of cleaning agents, sanitisers, and disinfectants
• Manual handling and ergonomic controls for lifting, carrying, and removing wet materials and equipment
• Containment, collection, and disposal of contaminated water and waste materials in accordance with environmental requirements
• Site set-up, barricading, and signage to separate work areas and protect building occupants and other workers
• Emergency response procedures for structural instability, electrical incidents, and worker exposure to hazardous substances

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for water damage restoration contractors, insurance repair builders, facility maintenance teams, and site supervisors managing restoration and remediation works after leaks, storms, or flooding events.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on maintaining safe conditions in water-affected and partially occupied buildings
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying, assessing, and controlling restoration-related hazards
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for lifting and handling wet materials, equipment, and debris
• Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for working safely around electrical systems in water-damaged areas
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance for preventing slips, trips, and falls on wet or uneven surfaces
• Safe Work Australia – Guidance on Mould and Dampness in Buildings: Information on managing health risks associated with mould growth after water damage
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites: Requirements for temporary power and electrical safety on restoration sites
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017