Fuel tank maintenance without entry SWMS, drafted for your job
Maintaining a fuel tank from outside still exposes workers to vapours at hatches and stored fuel in lines, hoses and remote cleaning equipment. Give us the job details and site layout. The draft follows that setup, and your crew checks the steps on site 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
Fuel tank maintenance without entry
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work in or near a confined space
- Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
- Work where the air may be contaminated or flammable
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Assess tank and exclusion area | Flammable vapours and ignition sources | High | Set barriers and remove ignition sources |
| 2 | Isolate and bond equipment | Connected fuel lines and static | High | Verify isolations and attach bonding before transfer |
| 3 | Recover residual fuel | Hose leaks and receiving overflow | High | Use closed transfer and monitor connections and capacity |
| 4 | Clean and inspect remotely | Hatch vapours and cleaning jets | High | Keep workers outside and secure remote equipment before starting |
| 5 | Contain waste and restore | Residual fuel and open fittings | High | Seal waste and verify fittings before controlled return to service |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your fuel tank maintenance without entry 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 on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
- Work where the air may be contaminated or flammable
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 fuel tank maintenance without entry 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
Fuel vapours ignited during non-entry tank maintenance
High- Remove ignition sources and use equipment suited to the assessed flammable atmosphere
- Bond transfer equipment and tank connections before fuel movement
- 2
Vapour exposure at open fuel tank hatches
High- Use closed transfer and remote inspection methods with workers away from hatch openings
- Monitor the atmosphere and stop work if conditions depart from the planned method
- 3
Unexpected fuel inflow through connected tank pipework
High- Isolate and lock out connected pipework, pumps and electrical supplies
- Verify each isolation before opening fittings or starting remote cleaning
- 4
Fuel spills from transfer hoses and receiving containers
High- Use suitable closed transfer hoses and contain connections within bunded areas
- Check receiving capacity and watch connections throughout the transfer
- 5
Water jet injuries while positioning remote tank cleaners
High- Position and secure cleaning heads before starting the pressure supply
- Isolate and depressurise cleaning equipment before retrieving or adjusting it
- 6
Worker leaning into the tank while retrieving equipment
High- Use retrieval lines and tools that keep the worker outside the tank
- Stop if the method needs body entry and arrange a separate entry assessment
- 7
Fuel residue splashing from disconnected tank fittings
Medium- Drain isolated fittings into contained trays before opening connections
- Use fuel-resistant gloves and splash protection; remove contaminated clothing before entering clean areas
How the job usually runs
- 1Assess tank and exclusion areaFlammable vapours and ignition sources → Set barriers and remove ignition sources
- 2Isolate and bond equipmentConnected fuel lines and static → Verify isolations and attach bonding before transfer
- 3Recover residual fuelHose leaks and receiving overflow → Use closed transfer and monitor connections and capacity
- 4Clean and inspect remotelyHatch vapours and cleaning jets → Keep workers outside and secure remote equipment before starting
- 5Contain waste and restoreResidual fuel and open fittings → Seal waste and verify fittings before controlled return to service
PPE for this job
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- Splash goggles
- Fuel-resistant safety footwear
- Protective clothing
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
Fuel tank maintenance without entry 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 non-entry include leaning through the tank hatch?
No. The draft keeps workers outside the tank and uses remote tools, cameras and retrieval lines. If the work needs entry, stop and arrange a separate entry method and assessment.
Can it cover pumping out fuel and sludge?
Yes. Describe the tank contents, transfer pump and receiving container. The draft covers isolation, bonding, atmospheric checks, contained connections and watching for leaks during fuel and sludge recovery.
How much does a fuel tank maintenance without entry 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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