Trailer-mounted hydro excavator SWMS, drafted for your job
A trailer-mounted hydro excavator combines a cutting water jet and strong suction beside an open pothole, with changing tank loads affecting trailer stability. Tell us the job and the site: your SWMS is drafted around them, and you check it with the crew before work starts.
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
Trailer-mounted hydro excavator
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work on or near energised electrical installations
- Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Check trailer and service information | Unstable trailer and hidden assets | High | Inspect towing gear, tank condition and the proposed pothole location |
| 2 | Park and secure the unit | Movement as tanks fill | High | Set brakes, restraints and stabilisers on firm ground |
| 3 | Expose services with water | Jet injury and asset damage | Extreme | Clear the jet zone and use the planned service exposure method |
| 4 | Recover spoil and manage hoses | Suction contact and hose strain | High | Support hoses and stop flow before clearing obstructions |
| 5 | Empty, isolate and secure trailer | Pressurised tank and slurry spill | High | Depressurise and discharge at the designated disposal point |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your trailer-mounted hydro excavator 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 where powered mobile plant is moving
- Work on or near energised electrical installations
- Work on or near pressurised gas mains or piping
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 trailer-mounted hydro excavator 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
Injection injuries from the trailer hydro excavator’s water lance
Extreme- Keep the lance pointed into the excavation and people outside the jet zone
- Release the trigger and depressurise before changing tips or clearing blockages
- 2
Hydro excavator trailer moving as water and slurry loads change
High- Park on firm level ground and secure the trailer against movement
- Set stabilisers as directed and check support as tank contents change
- 3
Hands or clothing drawn into the hydro excavation suction hose
High- Use hose handles and keep the suction opening clear of people
- Stop vacuum flow before clearing debris from the hose mouth
- 4
Water jet damaging exposed cable insulation or fragile service pipes
Extreme- Locate services and use the asset-specific exposure method before jetting near them
- Keep the lance moving and stop if the service condition is uncertain
- 5
Hydro excavation hose whipping after a coupling separates
High- Inspect hoses and secure compatible connections before pressurising
- Isolate and release pressure before adjusting or disconnecting any hose
- 6
Slurry spilling while emptying the trailer debris tank
Medium- Use a designated disposal point on firm ground away from pedestrians
- Stop equipment and release tank pressure before opening discharge fittings
How the job usually runs
- 1Check trailer and service informationUnstable trailer and hidden assets → Inspect towing gear, tank condition and the proposed pothole location
- 2Park and secure the unitMovement as tanks fill → Set brakes, restraints and stabilisers on firm ground
- 3Expose services with waterJet injury and asset damage → Clear the jet zone and use the planned service exposure method
- 4Recover spoil and manage hosesSuction contact and hose strain → Support hoses and stop flow before clearing obstructions
- 5Empty, isolate and secure trailerPressurised tank and slurry spill → Depressurise and discharge at the designated disposal point
PPE for this job
- Safety boots
- High visibility clothing
- Waterproof protective clothing
- Water jetting hand protection
- Face shield
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
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
Trailer-mounted hydro excavator 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
Is water excavation harmless to existing services?
No. The jet can damage cable coverings and fragile pipes. The draft includes service locating, a suitable exposure method and stopping where the asset condition or position is uncertain.
Does it cover towing and positioning the hydro trailer?
Yes. Describe the tow vehicle, access and setup ground. The draft includes towing gear checks, parking restraints, stabilisers and rechecking the trailer as water is used and slurry collects.
How much does a trailer-mounted hydro excavator 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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