Drainage Installation and Repairs Template (SWMS)

✅ Product Description: Drainage Installation and Repairs SWMS

Install safely. Control excavation risks. Protect services. Stay compliant.

This SWMS for Drainage Installation and Repairs is designed to manage the high-risk hazards associated with excavating, installing, repairing, testing, backfilling and commissioning sanitary drainage and below-ground pipework.

With a strong focus on trench collapse prevention, underground services, powered mobile plant, wastewater exposure, pipe handling and test-plug safety, this template provides clear control measures for each stage of drainage work—helping your business meet its WHS and plumbing obligations on Queensland construction sites.

Suitable for plumbers, drainers, builders, civil contractors, subcontractors, supervisors and maintenance teams, this SWMS is practical, detailed and ready to adapt for immediate site use.

✅ What This SWMS Covers

• Planning, consultation, permits, approvals and licensed work requirements
• Site establishment, access, public protection and traffic management
• Locating, marking and verifying underground services
• Isolation, bypass pumping and control of wastewater or stormwater flows
• Excavation, trench access, shoring, benching, battering and collapse prevention
• Safe operation of excavators, compactors and other powered mobile plant
• Removal and repair of damaged drainage and contaminated components
• Pipe delivery, lifting, handling, bedding, alignment and grade control
• Installing pipes, fittings, pits, inspection openings and connections
• Biological hazards, hygiene, decontamination and contaminated-waste controls
• Cutting, jointing, solvent cement and hazardous-substance controls
• Rated test plugs, pressure or head testing and line-of-fire exclusion zones
• Backfilling, compaction, surface reinstatement and protection of installed work
• Confined-space assessment, permits and rescue requirements where applicable
• Emergency response for trench collapse, service strikes, flooding and exposure
• Final inspection, commissioning, compliance records and handover

Includes a detailed, step-by-step task breakdown with initial and residual risk ratings, control measures and assigned responsibilities for practical site use.

✅ Compliance and Legislation

Aligned with relevant Queensland requirements and guidance, including:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
• Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
• Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019
• NCC 2022 Volume Three—Plumbing Code of Australia
• Construction work Code of Practice 2021
• How to manage work health and safety risks Code of Practice 2021
• Excavation work Code of Practice 2021
• Confined spaces Code of Practice 2021
• Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021
• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace Code of Practice 2021
• First aid in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

Also includes requirements for general construction induction, licensed plumbing and drainage work, plant and excavation competency, service location, testing, site-specific permits and relevant high-risk work licences where applicable.

✅ Key Features

• Strong focus on excavation, trench collapse and underground-service controls
• Covers the full workflow from planning and isolation through to handover
• Addresses wastewater exposure, hygiene and contaminated materials
• Includes plant, lifting, manual handling and public-safety controls
• Covers drainage testing, rated plugs and stored-pressure hazards
• Includes PPE, equipment, competency, monitoring and worker sign-off sections
• Includes live legislative and guidance links inside the Word document
• Suitable for residential, commercial, civil and maintenance drainage projects

✅ Download Format

• Microsoft Word—editable for your business and job site

✅ Perfect For

• Licensed plumbers and drainers
• Builders and principal contractors
• Civil and drainage contractors
• Residential and commercial construction businesses
• Facilities and maintenance teams
• Site supervisors and project managers
• WHS officers managing excavation, plant, contamination and drainage