Silo and Storage Vessel Access SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, access, inspection, isolation, entry, loading, unloading and close-out activities for silos and storage vessels. It supports management of vehicle movement, falls, stored energy, atmosphere, bulk material, dust and restricted access hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan work, inspect the site and identify the product involved
• Establish access controls and exclusion zones
• Position plant and delivery vehicles safely
• Inspect the silo, extractor and supporting structure
• Isolate plant and stored energy before work
• Assess the atmosphere and arrange entry controls
• Set up rescue and communication arrangements
• Enter and inspect the vessel where required
• Perform work involving agitated vessel equipment
• Operate silo extractor systems
• Load the silo and manage overflow risks
• Unload product and manage material flow and close-out

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out work on or around silos and storage vessels.

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 training and supervision, manage plant, falls, hazardous atmospheres and confined spaces.
• Model Code of Practice: Confined Spaces (November 2024) — guidance only; confirm adoption and legal status in the relevant jurisdiction. The Code prioritises eliminating entry, safe entry/exit and control of confined-space risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces — guidance only; confirm adoption and legal status in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Safe Work Australia, Safe use and design of bulk storage silos and bins Code of Practice (2026) — guidance on silo access, loading, unloading, atmospheric hazards, isolation and emergency response.
• AS 2865:2009 Confined spaces.
• AS 1657:2018 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders.
• AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 Personal equipment for work at height — selection, use and maintenance.
• AS/NZS 4745:2012 Code of practice for handling combustible dusts.
• AS/NZS 60079 series Explosive atmospheres, where hazardous-area equipment is required.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.

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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