Rainwater Tank Installation — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for installing above-ground poly, steel and concrete rainwater tanks, including base preparation, positioning, connection to downpipes, pumps and mains top-up, and overflow to stormwater.
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A typical above-ground rainwater tank installation is not high risk construction work, so a SWMS is not legally required for most domestic jobs. It is good practice, and builders and principal contractors usually ask for one. The job becomes HRCW if it involves an excavation deeper than 1.5 metres (for in-ground or underground tanks), work near energised electrical services, a fall risk over 2 metres, or work in a confined space such as inside a tank. Those jobs need extra planning beyond this template.
The hazards here come from weight and water. Water weighs 1 kg per litre, so a full 5,000 litre tank weighs about 5 tonnes plus the tank. A base that is not level, compacted and sized for the full tank can fail, and a tank that slides or collapses can crush a person or a wall. Empty poly tanks are light but bulky and can be blown over or carried by wind. Steel and concrete tanks are heavy and are often lifted by a crane truck near overhead lines and over fences. Other hazards include digging into services when preparing the base or trenching for the overflow, electric shock from pumps installed in wet areas, and cross-connection between rainwater and drinking water.
Plumbing connections to the stormwater system and to the mains water supply must be made by a licensed plumber holding the licence required in your state or territory, and comply with AS/NZS 3500. A mains top-up or switching device needs backflow protection to the water authority's requirements. Hardwired pumps need a licensed electrician. Local council or water authority rules may cover tank size, location and overflow, so check before installing.
Your SWMS must cover base design and preparation, delivery and lifting, service location, pump electrical safety, backflow protection, and the overflow route.
Customise this template with the tank type, size and full weight, base design, delivery and lifting method, BYDA reference, overflow and stormwater connection, pump and electrical supply arrangement, backflow device type, and licence numbers of the plumber and electrician.
Personal Protective Equipment
Risk Assessment
1.Site assessment and service location
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striking underground services while preparing the base or trenching | High | Obtain a Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) enquiry and check for private services such as sewer, stormwater, gas and electrical lines to outbuildings. Hand dig near marked services. | Low | Licensed Plumber |
| Tank located where a failure would damage the house or injure people | Moderate | Check the location against council setbacks and keep the tank clear of building footings, retaining walls and slopes where a failure could undermine them. Plan the overflow route to the legal point of discharge. | Low | Licensed Plumber |
2.Base preparation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank collapse or rolling from an uneven or under-designed base | High | Build the base to the tank manufacturer's specification for the full weight: a level concrete slab or compacted crusher dust or sand pad within a retaining edge, extending past the tank footprint as specified. Check level across the full diameter before placing the tank. | Low | Licensed Plumber / Installer |
| Strain and noise using a plate compactor | Moderate | Use a compactor sized for the job, wear hearing protection and steel-capped boots, and swap operators on longer runs. | Low | Installer |
3.Delivery, lifting and positioning the tank
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed by a steel or concrete tank during crane truck lift | Catastrophic | Lift heavy tanks with a crane truck operated by a licensed operator and slung by a person holding the right dogging licence where required. Check the set-up position, ground and overhead lines before the lift. Keep everyone clear of the load path and use tag lines. | Low | Crane Operator / Dogman |
| Manual handling and wind on large poly tanks | Moderate | Roll poly tanks on their side with enough people to control them, not carry. Do not move them in strong wind. Once positioned, put some water in the tank or strap it down before leaving site. | Low | Installer |
4.Plumbing connections to downpipes, overflow and stormwater
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls from ladders connecting to gutters and downpipes | Moderate | Use a platform or extension ladder on firm ground, secured at the top and footed. Do not over-reach; move the ladder. Use scaffold or a platform for work at gutters over 2 metres where practicable. | Low | Licensed Plumber |
| Overflow causing erosion, undermining footings or flooding neighbours | Moderate | Connect the tank overflow to the stormwater system or legal point of discharge to AS/NZS 3500. Fit screens and first-flush devices as required to keep debris and mosquitoes out. | Low | Licensed Plumber |
5.Pump, mains top-up and backflow protection
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shock from pumps and outdoor power outlets | High | Install the pump on a stand above ground under a pump cover. Supply it from a weatherproof, RCD-protected outlet. Hardwired connections and new outlets are installed only by a licensed electrician. | Low | Licensed Electrician / Licensed Plumber |
| Rainwater contaminating the drinking water supply | High | Fit an approved backflow prevention device or air gap on any mains top-up or switching device to the water authority's requirements. Label rainwater outlets and pipework. Do not connect rainwater to drinking water outlets unless the system is designed and approved for it. | Low | Licensed Plumber |
6.Commissioning and clean-up
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaks or pump faults found after the tank is full | Low | Partly fill the tank and check all fittings, the outlet and the pump connections for leaks. Test pump operation and pressure switch settings. Show the owner how to clean screens and first-flush devices. | Low | Licensed Plumber |
| Trip and fall hazards left on site | Low | Backfill trenches, remove offcuts and packaging, and leave the area tidy. | 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.