Water Safety SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, setting up and carrying out work near or on water, including access, plant, electrical equipment, rescue preparation and emergency response. It supports workers to identify water-related hazards, coordinate activities and manage risks through to clean-up.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and identify water, weather, rescue and coordination risks
• Set exclusion zones to manage access around the water edge
• Set up safe access, egress and emergency escape routes
• Position plant and vehicles away from unstable edges and reversing risks
• Inspect tools, leads and electrical equipment before use
• Set rescue equipment and communication arrangements
• Manage work at the water edge, including slips, falls and dropped objects
• Carry out shallow-water tasks while managing mud, drop-offs and cold conditions
• Use electrical equipment near water with attention to wet surfaces and immersed leads
• Manage work near overhead lines, underground cables and conductive water spray
• Use boats or pontoons while managing loading, landing and person-overboard risks
• Respond to water and electrical emergencies, then clean up and demobilise

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out work near water or using water access.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Model WHS Regulations / jurisdictional WHS Regulations r34-38 managing risks and reviewing controls.
• Model WHS Regulations / jurisdictional WHS Regulations r291 high risk construction work includes work in or near water with risk of drowning, near energised electrical services, and areas with powered mobile plant.
• WHS Regulations / Construction Work Code of Practice r299 SWMS required for high risk construction work.
• WHS Regulations / jurisdictional electrical safety provisions r147 and r166 unsafe approach distances to overhead and underground electric lines; obtain current service information before work.
• Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: use RCD protection, inspect and test equipment, provide training, emergency procedures and keep workers electrically safe in wet and conductive conditions.
• Work near Overhead and Underground Electric Lines Code of Practice: assess line locations, de-energise where practicable, control plant movement, weather and loads near lines.
• Construction Work Code of Practice: SWMS must be available, implemented, monitored and revised as conditions change.
• Jurisdictional WHS Regulation example: work on energised electrical equipment requires competent persons, suitable tools and PPE, SWMS and safety observer where applicable.

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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