Civil drain clearing SWMS, drafted for your job
A blocked stormwater drain can release trapped water when cleared, while jetting hoses, open pits and contaminated debris expose the crew at the surface. Describe the job and site so your SWMS reflects the work, then review the draft with the crew before starting.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Civil drain clearing
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work in or near a confined space
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work in or near water where someone could drown
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Inspect drainage and upstream conditions | Trapped flows and unknown air | High | Assess flows, weather and access before opening |
| 2 | Protect the pit and tanker area | Passing traffic and open pit | High | Set separation; lift covers with handling tools |
| 3 | Set jet and vacuum equipment | Failed hose and exposed suction | High | Check shutoffs, hose joints and guarded openings |
| 4 | Clear and extract the blockage | Jet ejection and contaminated sludge | High | Control the nozzle; keep workers outside the drain |
| 5 | Check flow and refit covers | Unexpected inflow and unseated covers | High | Verify drainage from outside; seat lids before reopening |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your civil drain clearing SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
Categories this task often involves
You tick the ones your job involves. Each ticked category gets its own steps and controls, in your state's wording.
- Work in or near a confined space
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work in or near water where someone could drown
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a civil drain clearing job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Toxic or oxygen-poor air at opened stormwater pits
High- Clear and inspect from outside the drain wherever possible
- Assess air before opening; plan isolation, monitoring and rescue before any entry
- 2
Sudden upstream flow flooding the drain clearing position
High- Assess upstream flows and weather; isolate or divert inflow where practicable
- Keep a clear escape route and stop if flow conditions change
- 3
Jetting nozzle exiting a blocked stormwater pipe
High- Use a jet system with working shutoff and hose control suited to the drain
- Keep the nozzle inside the pipe during operation and depressurise before withdrawal
- 4
Vacuum hose drawing clothing into the drain inlet
High- Keep suction openings guarded and operate with people clear of hose mouths
- Isolate suction before moving an inlet or clearing a blockage
- 5
Heavy stormwater covers crushing fingers during removal
High- Use a cover lifter suited to the frame and lid
- Barrier the opening before removal and keep hands clear of seating edges
- 6
Contaminated drain sludge splashing the clearing crew
Medium- Use remote tools and splash screens to reduce contact with sludge
- Wear gloves and eye protection; wash before eating or leaving the dirty area
- 7
Road vehicles striking crew around the drain tanker
High- Set traffic separation and a protected tanker work area before opening pits
- Route hoses inside the work area and keep public paths clear
How the job usually runs
- 1Inspect drainage and upstream conditionsTrapped flows and unknown air → Assess flows, weather and access before opening
- 2Protect the pit and tanker areaPassing traffic and open pit → Set separation; lift covers with handling tools
- 3Set jet and vacuum equipmentFailed hose and exposed suction → Check shutoffs, hose joints and guarded openings
- 4Clear and extract the blockageJet ejection and contaminated sludge → Control the nozzle; keep workers outside the drain
- 5Check flow and refit coversUnexpected inflow and unseated covers → Verify drainage from outside; seat lids before reopening
PPE for this job
- Waterproof safety boots
- Waterproof gloves
- Face shield or sealed eye protection
- High-visibility clothing
- Hearing protection near tankers
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Civil drain clearing SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
Does it cover clearing a culvert without climbing inside?
Yes. Describe the culvert, blockage and jet or vacuum equipment. The draft covers surface-based clearing, upstream flow checks and hose control; review the reach and access against the actual drain.
What if a worker needs to enter the drain?
Drain entry needs a separate assessment and planned controls. The draft can address isolation, atmosphere monitoring, communication and rescue when you describe the entry; review those arrangements before anyone goes in.
How much does a civil drain clearing SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
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