SWMS template · Plumbing & Gas
Irrigation System Installation — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for installing residential and commercial irrigation systems, including service location, trenching with a walk-behind trencher, boring under paths, PVC and poly pipework, mains connection with backflow prevention, and low-voltage controller wiring.
- Category
- Plumbing & Gas
- HRCW
- 1 category
- Job steps
- 7
- Hazards rated
- 18
- PPE items
- 7
Irrigation installation is usually shallow work, but it involves High Risk Construction Work when a trencher, mini excavator or other powered mobile plant is operating in the work area. A SWMS is required for that part of the job. It also becomes HRCW if any trench goes deeper than 1.5 metres, which is rare for irrigation, or if you work next to a road with traffic. Hand-dug residential jobs with no plant are not HRCW, but most landscapers and builders will still ask for a SWMS.
The biggest risk on an irrigation job is what is already in the ground. Irrigation trenches cross front yards and nature strips where gas services, power cables, water mains, telecommunications and NBN lead-ins run. Get Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans for every job, and remember they often do not show private services such as garden lighting, pool cabling or the cable to a shed. Locate services with a detector and expose them by hand or vacuum excavation within the zone the asset owner specifies before you run a trencher.
Trenchers are dangerous plant. The digging chain catches boots, trouser legs and gloves, and a chain that hits a root or rock can pull the machine forward or sideways. Only trained operators should run them, with the guards in place and everyone else kept well back. PVC primer and solvent cement are flammable and give off strong vapours, so keep them away from ignition sources, use them in open air, and read the SDS.
Connecting irrigation to the drinking water supply is plumbing work, and most water authorities require a backflow prevention device on irrigation connections. Licensing, the type of backflow device and testing requirements vary, so check your state or territory regulator and the local water authority. Solenoid valves run on low voltage, but the controller's mains power point must be installed by a licensed electrician. Where recycled or bore water is used, mark pipes and outlets so nobody drinks from them.
Customise this template with the BYDA reference and any private services found, the trench routes and depths, the plant to be used and operator competencies, how paths and driveways will be crossed, the water source and connection point, the backflow device and who will test it, the controller location and power supply, and the restoration of turf and garden beds.
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.
High Risk Construction Work Types
- Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
Personal Protective Equipment
- Steel-capped safety boots
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection (trencher and saw use)
- Chemical-resistant gloves (primer and solvent cement)
- Work gloves
- Long-sleeve shirt, hat and sunscreen
- High-visibility vest (near driveways or roads)
Risk Assessment
RatingsCatastrophicHighModerateLow
Step 1Planning, BYDA and service location
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striking a gas service or power cable | Catastrophic | Obtain BYDA plans before starting. Locate services with a cable and pipe detector and mark them with paint and flags. Expose services by hand or vacuum excavation within the zone specified by the asset owner before trenching nearby. | Moderate | Supervisor |
| Cutting private services not shown on BYDA plans | High | Ask the owner about garden lighting, pool and shed cabling, existing irrigation and stormwater lines. Sweep the whole trench route with a detector. Hand dig where any doubt remains. | Low | Supervisor |
Step 2Trench excavation with walk-behind trencher
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feet or legs caught in the digging chain | High | Trained operators only. Guards and chain cover in place. Operator walks behind the machine, never in front or beside the chain. Others kept at least 3 m away. Stop the engine before clearing spoil or roots from the chain. | Moderate | Plant Operator |
| Machine lurching when the chain hits roots or rock | Moderate | Lower the chain slowly and travel at slow speed. Check the route for large roots and rock first. Hand dig around tree roots. | Low | Plant Operator |
| Noise and vibration from the trencher | Moderate | Hearing protection when operating or within a few metres. Rotate operators on long runs. | Low | Plant Operator |
| Trip into open trenches by the public or occupants | Moderate | Backfill each run as soon as pipe is tested. Barricade or cover open trenches left at the end of the day. | Low | Supervisor |
Step 3Boring under paths and driveways
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silica dust from cutting concrete or pavers | High | Use a water-boring tool or under-path borer instead of cutting where possible. If cutting is needed, wet cut or use an on-tool extraction saw, and wear a P2 respirator. | Low | Installer |
| Hitting a service under the path | High | Detector check both sides and pothole the bore line before boring. Keep the bore shallow and confirm depth of known services first. | Low | Installer |
Step 4Laying pipe and solvent welding PVC joints
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire from flammable primer and solvent cement | Moderate | No smoking or ignition sources within the work area. Keep lids on tins when not in use. Store in a cool, shaded place away from the vehicle cab. | Low | Installer |
| Skin and eye irritation and vapour inhalation | Moderate | Read the SDS. Chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses. Work in open air and keep your face out of trenches while joints cure. | Low | Installer |
| Back strain working bent over in shallow trenches | Moderate | Kneel with knee pads rather than bending. Rotate tasks. Carry pipe in manageable lengths. | Low | Installer |
Step 5Connecting to the water supply and backflow device
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminating the drinking water supply | High | Connection to be made by a licensed plumber. Install the backflow prevention device required by the local water authority and arrange testing where required. | Low | Plumber |
| Uncontrolled water flow when cutting into the supply | Moderate | Isolate at the meter and drain down before cutting in. Tell occupants the water will be off. | Low | Plumber |
| People drinking recycled or bore water | Moderate | Use purple or marked pipe and fittings for recycled water. Fit warning signs on outlets. No cross-connection with the drinking water supply. | Low | Plumber |
Step 6Controller installation and solenoid wiring
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shock from mains power to the controller | High | Plug-in controllers only to an existing weatherproof outlet. Any new power point or hard-wired controller must be installed by a licensed electrician. Installer works only on the low-voltage side. | Low | Electrician |
| Drilling into hidden cables or pipes in walls | Moderate | Scan the wall with a detector before drilling to mount the controller or run cable. Avoid zones directly above and below switches and outlets. | Low | Installer |
Step 7Flushing, pressure testing and backfilling
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fittings blowing off under test pressure | Moderate | Let solvent joints cure for the time stated by the manufacturer before pressurising. Stand clear of open fittings and wear safety glasses. | Low | Installer |
| Strain from shovelling backfill and lifting turf | Moderate | Use a skid steer or wheelbarrow for bulk backfill. Rotate shovelling tasks. Lift turf rolls close to the body. | Low | Installer |
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.
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