Pit Entry and Work — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for entry into electrical, telecommunications, or service pits and valve chambers, covering atmospheric hazards, falling objects, and electrical proximity risks.
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Electrical, telecommunications, and service pit entry is a common task in civil construction, utilities maintenance, and NBN or telecommunications infrastructure work. Despite their relatively modest depth — typically 1 to 3 metres — service pits can accumulate oxygen-depleted or toxic atmospheres, and entry without atmospheric testing and a confined space entry permit has resulted in fatalities in Australia. Where the pit meets the confined space definition under the model WHS Regulations, all of Part 4.3 applies regardless of size.
Cable and conduit pits used by electricity distributors and telecommunications carriers may contain residual SF₆ (sulphur hexafluoride) from switchgear, petroleum hydrocarbon vapours from contaminated ground, CO₂ from biological activity, or simply oxygen-depleted air due to sealed conditions over extended periods. All electrical pits must be treated as potential confined spaces until atmospheric testing confirms otherwise. NBN Co and telecommunications carriers have their own confined space entry procedures for work in their assets, and these must be followed in addition to the model WHS Regulations.
Electrical proximity is the additional specific hazard in service pits. Live cables — including high-voltage distribution cables and domestic service cables — may be present in or adjacent to the pit. The approach distances for unprotected workers to live HV conductors specified in AS/NZS 4836 (Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment) and the relevant energy network's safety rules must be observed. Where live HV cables are present, a licensed electrical worker with appropriate authorisation must be present and specific electrical safety rules applied.
To customise this template, document the pit identifier, asset owner, cable or conduit types present, gas testing results and instrument calibration date, the standby person's position, and any electrical safety observer requirements. Traffic management controls must also be documented for pits located in roadways or footpaths — a separate traffic management plan may be required.
This SWMS is applicable in all Australian states and territories. Utility asset owner requirements must be met in addition to this SWMS.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work in confined spaces
- •Work near energised electrical installations
Risk Assessment
1.Pit Lid Removal and Opening
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struck by vehicle while removing lid on road or footpath | Catastrophic | Establish a protected work zone using barriers, witches' hats, and advance warning signs before touching the pit lid. For road pits, a Traffic Management Plan must be in place and approved. Workers face oncoming traffic when working in the zone. Use a lid-lifting tool or vacuum lifter rather than bending over the pit in traffic. | Moderate | Traffic Controller / Site Supervisor |
| Falls into open pit or falling objects injuring entrant below | High | Immediately surround the open pit with a rigid barrier on all sides after lid removal. Never place tools or materials on the ground adjacent to an open pit. Lower tools into the pit using a tool bag and lowering rope — never throw items in. Entrant below must signal 'clear' before any item is lowered. Reinstate pit lid or fit a rigid cover plate whenever the pit is unattended. | Low | All Workers / Site Supervisor |
2.Atmospheric Testing of Pit
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxygen depletion or toxic gas build-up in pit | Catastrophic | Lower the gas monitor probe to pit floor level before any entry. Test for O2, LEL, CO, and H2S. Allow readings to stabilise for 60 seconds. If readings exceed action levels, purge the pit with a portable blower for 5 minutes, then re-test. Entrant wears personal 4-gas monitor with audible alarm throughout work inside the pit. Document all readings on the confined space entry permit. For electrical pits, contact the asset owner to determine if SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride) may be present. | Low | Entry Supervisor / Entrant |
3.Entry into Pit
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrocution from live cables or services inside pit | Catastrophic | Before entry, obtain and review as-built drawings showing all services inside the pit. Contact relevant service owners to identify live services and, where possible, arrange de-energisation before entry. Treat all cables as live until proven dead by a licensed electrician. Entrant wears insulating (anti-static) gloves rated for the voltage present. No tools or equipment with metallic components to contact identified live cables. Maintain minimum approach distances per AS/NZS 4836. | Moderate | Licensed Electrician / Site Supervisor |
| Entrant unable to self-rescue from deep pit | High | Set up retrieval tripod centred over the pit opening before entry. Attach full-body harness rescue lanyard to tripod winch. Standby person operates winch and maintains verbal contact with entrant every 2 minutes. If contact is lost, initiate non-entry retrieval immediately. Do not allow entry into pits deeper than 1.5 m without a rescue tripod and standby person. | Low | Standby Person / Entry Supervisor |
4.Work Activities in Pit
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal injury from awkward posture in small pit | Moderate | Limit continuous time working in the pit to 20-minute rotations. Where feasible, use long-handled tools to perform work from outside the pit. Workers perform dynamic stretching before entry. Any task requiring sustained overhead, bent, or kneeling postures must be assessed in the pre-task briefing with controls identified (e.g. kneeling pads, use of small step platform inside pit). | Low | Entrant / Site Supervisor |
5.Exit and Reinstatement
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pit left open or inadequately covered, creating fall hazard for public | High | At the end of each work session (including breaks), refit the pit lid or install a rated load-bearing temporary cover plate. Remove all barriers only after the lid is secured. Conduct a final tool-and-material check against the entry register. Sign off the confined space entry permit and notify the asset owner that work is complete. If the pit must remain open overnight, install an illuminated bollard system and lockable exclusion barrier. | Low | Site Supervisor / Entrant |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.