Truck-mounted hydro excavation SWMS, drafted for your job
A hydro lance cuts soil at pressure that goes through boots and skin, and a full vac hose is heavy when it needs to move. Even a non-destructive dig can find a live service the plans missed. Tell us the job and site conditions so your SWMS reflects the work; check 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
Truck-mounted hydro excavation
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
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Locate services and mark the dig | Wrong marks and live cables | High | Confirm service routes before jetting |
| 2 | Position truck and barrier the dig | Soft verge and traffic | High | Park on firm ground; barrier the area |
| 3 | Check lance, hoses and blower | Damaged gear and stored pressure | High | Inspect equipment and verify shutoffs work |
| 4 | Jet and vacuum the pothole | Injection injury and flying debris | High | Two-hand the lance; keep it off feet |
| 5 | Expose and verify the service | Damaged asset and collapsing hole | High | Use the asset-specific jet method; keep people out of unsupported holes |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your truck-mounted hydro excavation 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
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 truck-mounted hydro excavation 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
Water jet injecting skin at the digging face
High- Hold the lance with two hands and keep it clear of feet and legs
- Shut off pressure before changing nozzles or passing the lance
- 2
Jet striking a live cable or pipe while exposing it
High- Locate services and agree the excavation method with the asset owner before jetting
- Use the nozzle, pressure and technique suited to the asset; stop on unexpected services or damage
- 3
Vacuum hose whipping or blocking while loaded
High- Lay hose runs flat with secured joins and keep bends gentle
- Isolate the suction before clearing a blockage or splitting a join
- 4
Truck tipping on a soft verge under a full debris tank
High- Assess ground bearing for the loaded truck before setting up on firm level ground
- Stop filling if sinking or lean develops; clear people and reassess before moving
- 5
Debris dumped onto workers or into drains
High- Tip at the designated dump area with people clear of the tailgate
- Contain the runout and keep spoil away from drains and paths
- 6
Traffic striking the crew working beside the truck
High- Establish traffic separation and a protected work area around the truck and dig
- Keep hoses inside the work area and stop if vehicles enter it
- 7
Stones and slurry flying from the digging face
Medium- Keep helpers back from the face and use a splash shield
- Wear a face shield or sealed eye protection while jetting
How the job usually runs
- 1Locate services and mark the digWrong marks and live cables → Confirm service routes before jetting
- 2Position truck and barrier the digSoft verge and traffic → Park on firm ground; barrier the area
- 3Check lance, hoses and blowerDamaged gear and stored pressure → Inspect equipment and verify shutoffs work
- 4Jet and vacuum the potholeInjection injury and flying debris → Two-hand the lance; keep it off feet
- 5Expose and verify the serviceDamaged asset and collapsing hole → Use the asset-specific jet method; keep people out of unsupported holes
- 6Dump debris and shut downRunout and pressurised lines → Dump at the designated area; release pressure
PPE for this job
- High-visibility clothing
- Waterproof safety boots
- Waterproof gloves
- Face shield or sealed goggles
- Hearing protection
- Safety helmet
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
Truck-mounted hydro excavation 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 exposing live electrical cables?
Yes. Describe the cables and asset owner arrangements. The draft covers confirming the service location, choosing an asset-specific nozzle and jet method, and stopping on unexpected services or damage.
Does it cover potholes a worker could fall into?
Yes. The draft covers keeping the area barriered, supporting or battering deeper holes and keeping feet back from the edge while the jet and vac run.
What happens if a service is hit anyway?
A service strike is a stop-work point. The draft covers stopping jetting, keeping people away and contacting the asset owner and emergency help as needed before assessment and any restart.
How much does a truck-mounted hydro excavation 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.
Related
Related SWMS
