Product Overview

This Water Jetter Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for the safe operation of water jetting equipment on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of Water Jetter SWMS activities to support strong WHS compliance and effective risk management.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe setup, operation, and shutdown of water jetting units for drain cleaning
• Water jetting drains, including managing high-pressure hoses and nozzles in confined and open areas
• Selection, inspection, and maintenance of hoses, fittings, nozzles, and pressure components
• Management of high-pressure water hazards, including injection injuries and flying debris
• Control of slips, trips, and falls due to water, mud, algae, and wet work surfaces around the jetting area
• Safe use of vehicles or trailers used to transport and support water jetting equipment
• Isolation and lock-out of services where required, including electrical, gas, and other underground utilities near drains
• Management of noise exposure from engines, pumps, and high-pressure discharge
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including eye, face, hearing, and hand protection suitable for high-pressure work
• Manual handling risk controls for moving hoses, reels, covers, and jetter components
• Environmental controls for wastewater, contaminated effluent, and debris disposal from drain cleaning
• Traffic and pedestrian management when water jetting is conducted near roads, driveways, or public access ways
• Emergency response procedures for hose failures, equipment malfunction, and worker injury

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for plumbers, drainers, civil maintenance crews, facilities managers, and site supervisors overseeing water jetting and drain cleaning operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on managing risks associated with water jetting plant and equipment.
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for lifting, carrying, and handling hoses, reels, and jetter components.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Requirements for controlling noise exposure from water jetting operations.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Ensuring safe access, egress, and amenities around jetting work areas.
• Safe Work Australia – Confined Spaces Code of Practice: Applicable where water jetting is carried out in or near pits, manholes, or other confined spaces.
• AS/NZS 4233.1 High pressure water jetting systems – Part 1: Safe operation and maintenance: Industry standard for the safe use of high-pressure water jetting equipment.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017