SWMS template · Plumbing & Gas
Blocked Drain Clearing — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for clearing blocked sewer and stormwater drains with plungers, hand augers and powered drum or sectional drain machines through fixtures, inspection openings and boundary traps, covering sewage exposure, cable entanglement and electrical risks.
- Category
- Plumbing & Gas
- HRCW
- Not HRCW
- Job steps
- 6
- Hazards rated
- 16
- PPE items
- 6
Clearing a blocked drain with an eel or auger through a fixture, inspection opening or boundary trap is not High Risk Construction Work in itself, so a SWMS is not legally required for a routine call-out. It is still good practice, and property managers, strata companies and principal contractors often ask for one before you start. The job becomes HRCW if you have to enter a pit or manhole (confined space), dig down to a drain deeper than 1.5 metres, or work on a road or footpath with traffic. If any of those apply, list them as HRCW and add the controls. Jetting and CCTV work has its own template; this one covers manual and mechanical rodding.
The two hazards that hurt drain cleaners most are sewage and the machine. Raw sewage carries bacteria and viruses that cause gastro, hepatitis A and leptospirosis. Treat every blockage as contaminated: waterproof gloves, eye protection, no eating, drinking or smoking until you have washed, and cover any cuts. Talk to your doctor about hepatitis A and tetanus vaccination. Powered drain machines store a lot of torque in the cable. If the cutter jams and the cable keeps turning it can kink, whip or snap, and loose cloth gloves or sleeves can be wound into the cable in a second. Use the leather drain-cleaning mitts the manufacturer recommends, keep the foot switch under your control, and never force a jammed cable.
Ask the occupant before you start whether anyone has poured chemical drain cleaner down the fixture. Caustic and acid cleaners sitting in standing water will burn skin and eyes when the drain releases or splashes back. Older drains may be earthenware or asbestos cement. Root cutters can crack or break old pipe, and you must not cut, break or drill asbestos cement pipe without asbestos controls.
Clearing sewer drains is regulated plumbing or drainage work in every state and territory, and the licence class needed varies. Check your state or territory regulator. Operators should be trained on the specific machine and know how to free a jammed cable safely.
Customise this template with the site address and drain type (sewer or stormwater), the access points used (fixture, inspection opening, boundary trap, overflow relief gully), the machine make and cutter heads, whether chemical cleaners were used, the pipe material if known, the hygiene and wash-down arrangements, and when the job will be referred for CCTV inspection or jetting.
Important: This SWMS template is a starting point only. Review and customise it for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the work. Not legal advice.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Leather drain-cleaning mitts (as recommended by the machine manufacturer)
- Nitrile or PVC gloves worn under mitts
- Safety glasses or face shield
- Waterproof steel-capped safety boots
- Disposable coveralls or waterproof overalls
- Knee pads
Risk Assessment
RatingsCatastrophicHighModerateLow
Step 1Site assessment and finding the blockage
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burns from chemical drain cleaner already in the drain | High | Ask the occupant what has been poured down the drain before opening anything. If chemicals were used, read the product label, wear face shield and chemical gloves, and flush with water where possible before rodding. | Low | Plumber |
| Sewage overflow inside the building while working | Moderate | Tell occupants not to use toilets, showers or sinks on the affected line until cleared. Locate the overflow relief gully and boundary trap before starting so pressure can be released outside. | Low | Plumber |
| Disturbing asbestos cement pipe or fittings | Moderate | Identify the pipe material from the inspection opening or property age. Do not cut, break or drill suspected asbestos cement pipe. Stop and follow the asbestos controls if damage is found. | Low | Plumber |
Step 2Opening inspection openings and access points
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewage spray or surge when removing a cap under pressure | High | Stand to the side, not over the opening. Loosen the cap slowly to let pressure bleed off. Face shield and gloves on before loosening. Have a bucket and absorbent ready. | Low | Plumber |
| Sewer gas and odour at the opening | Moderate | Keep your face away from the opening and let it ventilate for a few minutes before working. Do not put your head into a pit or manhole. Any entry into a pit or manhole is confined space work and needs a separate permit and SWMS. | Low | Plumber |
| Back strain lifting drum machine to the access point | Moderate | Use the machine's wheels and a ramp for steps. Two-person lift for drum machines up or down stairs. Carry sectional cables in their cases, not loose. | Low | Plumber |
Step 3Clearing at the fixture with plunger or hand auger
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splash-back of contaminated water into face and eyes | Moderate | Safety glasses or face shield. Cover the overflow on basins and tubs. Use a closet auger for toilets rather than forcing a plunger. | Low | Plumber |
| Cuts and crush injury removing a toilet pan | Moderate | Isolate water, empty cistern and pan first. Lift pans with two hands close to the body, or two people for wall-faced pans. Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling cracked porcelain. | Low | Plumber |
Step 4Clearing with powered drum or sectional machine
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand or arm wound into rotating cable | High | Only the leather mitts recommended by the manufacturer, no cloth gloves, loose sleeves or jewellery. Operator controls the foot switch at all times. Guide tube fitted where supplied. Never grab a turning cable with a bare hand. | Moderate | Plumber |
| Cable kink, whip or snap when the cutter jams | High | Feed the cable slowly and do not force it. If it stops turning or starts to loop, release the foot switch straight away and reverse to free it. Keep others at least 2 m from the machine and cable. | Low | Plumber |
| Electric shock using a mains machine in a wet area | High | Machine tested and tagged and plugged into an RCD (portable RCD if the circuit is not protected). Keep leads and plugs out of water. Do not operate the machine standing in pooled sewage. | Low | Plumber |
| Damaging old earthenware or asbestos cement pipe with cutters | Moderate | Start with the smallest suitable cutter head. Stop if the cable meets hard resistance repeatedly. Recommend CCTV inspection before heavy root cutting in old pipe. | Low | Plumber |
Step 5Testing flow and confirming the drain is clear
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repeat blockage causing overflow during testing | Moderate | Test with a controlled flow from the nearest fixture or hose while watching the access point. Stop the flow at the first sign of backing up. | Low | Plumber |
| Recurring fault from a broken or displaced pipe | Moderate | If the blockage returns or debris includes soil, pipe fragments or large roots, refer for CCTV inspection rather than repeated rodding. Record findings for the client. | Low | Plumber |
Step 6Clean-up, disinfection and pack-up
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infection from contaminated tools, cables and surfaces | High | Retract cable while wiping it down. Wash cables, cutters and tools, then disinfect. Clean and disinfect any area where sewage spilled. Bag contaminated rags and coveralls before putting them in the vehicle. | Low | Plumber |
| Ingesting pathogens by hand-to-mouth contact | Moderate | Remove gloves inside out. Wash hands and forearms with soap and water before eating, drinking, smoking or using a phone. Carry water, soap and hand sanitiser in the vehicle. | Low | Plumber |
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.
Get this template
Free. Edit the Excel version, or print the PDF and fill it in by hand.