Product Overview

Summary: This Stormwater Drain Maintenance Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step method for safely inspecting, cleaning and maintaining stormwater drainage systems on Australian worksites and facilities. It helps organisations prevent flooding, environmental contamination and confined space incidents while demonstrating due diligence under WHS and environmental legislation.

Stormwater drainage systems are critical infrastructure on industrial sites, commercial premises, construction projects and local government assets. Blocked or poorly maintained drains can rapidly lead to localised flooding, damage to buildings and pavements, traffic hazards, and uncontrolled discharge of polluted water into creeks, rivers and coastal environments. This Stormwater Drain Maintenance SOP sets out a safe, consistent and legally defensible approach to inspecting, cleaning and maintaining pits, grates, pipes, gross pollutant traps and associated stormwater infrastructure.

Developed for Australian conditions, the procedure integrates WHS risk controls with environmental protection requirements, so your teams know exactly how to manage hazards such as manual handling, traffic interaction, contaminated water, biological risks, slips, trips and falls, and potential confined spaces. It also addresses planning and permitting, isolation of services, sediment and waste handling, and incident response. By implementing this SOP, organisations can minimise disruption during heavy rain events, reduce the likelihood of environmental non‑compliance, and provide workers with clear guidance that supports safe, efficient and repeatable maintenance activities.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of flooding, property damage and operational downtime during heavy rainfall events.
• Ensure safe work practices around pits, grates, roadways and potential confined spaces in line with Australian WHS requirements.
• Demonstrate compliance with environmental obligations by controlling sediment, litter, hydrocarbons and contaminated water in stormwater systems.
• Standardise inspection and maintenance routines across sites, improving asset performance and extending the life of stormwater infrastructure.
• Support effective training and onboarding of maintenance staff and contractors with clear, step‑by‑step instructions and responsibilities.

Who is this for?

• Facilities Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Civil Works Supervisors
• Local Government Infrastructure Managers
• Plumbers and Drainage Contractors
• Grounds and Property Maintenance Teams
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Environmental Officers
• Construction Project Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Slips, trips and falls around wet, uneven or open pit surfaces
• Falls into open pits, manholes or trenches
• Traffic hazards when working near roads, car parks or driveways
• Manual handling injuries from lifting heavy grates, lids, debris and equipment
• Exposure to contaminated water, sewage, hydrocarbons and hazardous substances
• Biological hazards such as bacteria, mould, vermin and sharps in drains
• Confined space hazards including oxygen deficiency, toxic atmospheres and engulfment (where applicable)
• Use of powered equipment such as jetters, pumps and vacuum trucks
• Strains and sprains from use of hand tools for clearing blockages
• Weather‑related hazards including heat stress, UV exposure and working during rain or storms

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Stormwater System Components
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Planning the Work and Pre‑Start Requirements
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
• 7.0 Required PPE, Tools and Equipment
• 8.0 Traffic Management and Site Controls
• 9.0 Safe Work Method for Lifting Grates, Lids and Access Covers
• 10.0 Inspection Procedures for Pits, Grates, Pipes and Gross Pollutant Traps
• 11.0 Cleaning and Blockage Removal Procedures
• 12.0 Confined Space Considerations (where applicable)
• 13.0 Handling, Segregation and Disposal of Sediment, Waste and Contaminated Water
• 14.0 Environmental Protection Measures for Sediment and Pollution Control
• 15.0 Post‑Maintenance Checks, Testing and System Restoration
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Contractor Management
• 18.0 Documentation, Checklists and Recordkeeping Requirements
• 19.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Confined Spaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• AS/NZS 2865: Confined spaces
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• Environmental Protection Acts and associated stormwater/environmental protection policies in the relevant state or territory
• Local council stormwater management guidelines and trade waste requirements