Septic Tank Pump-Out SWMS

For septic and liquid waste contractors whose drivers and operators pump out domestic and commercial septic tanks. It follows the work from job planning and the truck pre-start through lid opening, gas testing and pumping to disconnection and discharge.

Pumping out a septic tank is not construction work by itself. A SWMS is legally required under WHS Regulation s 299 only for high risk construction work, so otherwise this works as a written safe work procedure or task risk assessment. If the work is high risk construction work, tick the reg 291 items that apply, for example a confined space or a contaminated or flammable atmosphere.

Learn More: What Is A Safe Work Method Statement?
Have you ever been asked to provide a SWMS on a project in Queensland? Read our guide to what a Safe Work Method Statement is and when you need one.

What Is Covered In Our Septic Tank Pump-Out SWMS?

The job steps run in the order the work is done, from pre-start checks to finishing up. The hazards and controls include:

• Sewage splash and infection
• Toxic and flammable gases at the tank opening
• Confined space entry and rescue
• Heavy or cracked lids
• Person or child falling into an open tank
• Hose whip and suction injury
• Electric shock from pumps and aerators
• Truck rolling or sinking at the tank
• Overhead power lines when using a boom
• Tanker surge and mass limits on the road
• Slips and spills on the property
• Driver fatigue on long runs

High Risk Construction Work

No high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are pre-ticked, because this work is not high risk construction work by itself. Tick the items that apply to your job, such as a fall risk of more than 2 metres or work where powered mobile plant is moving.

Licences, Training and Competency

• Driver licence of the class that suits the truck; no high risk work licence class in Schedule 3 of the WHS Regulation covers a vacuum truck
• Training and assessed competency on the vacuum pump, tank, hoses, valves and relief valves of the truck used
• Training in the confined space rules in Part 4.3 of the WHS Regulation: recognising a tank as a confined space, never entering without a permit, and the stand-by and rescue arrangements
• Training in atmosphere testing and the gas detector used, including bump testing and calibration
• Training in hygiene, infection control and handling sewage
• Licensed electrical worker for any electrical work on the treatment system (Electrical Safety Act 2002 s 55)
• First aid provided as WHS Regulation s 42 requires, with a first aid kit and eyewash on the truck

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) ss 62 to 77: confined spaces (Part 4.3), including risk assessment s 66 and entry permit s 67
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): ss 52 and 355 (ignition sources, fire and explosion)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): s 213 (maintenance and inspection of plant)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld): ss 36 and 38 (notifiable illness and incident)
• 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 Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of biological hazards at work (March 2026; model code, not approved in Queensland; guidance only)
• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld): s 55 (only licensed electrical workers do electrical work)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones in sections 10 to 13 and schedule 2
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland), applied by the Heavy Vehicle National Law Act 2012 (Qld): s 6 (heavy vehicle means a vehicle with a GVM or ATM of more than 4.5 t), s 26C (primary duty of each party in the chain of responsibility), s 96 (compliance with mass requirements), s 110 (national regulations may prescribe loading requirements), s 111 (compliance with the loading requirements) and s 228 (duty of driver to avoid driving while fatigued or unfit to drive)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (13 pages), laid out on A4 landscape pages
• Business, client, job and document details typed once and filled in on every page, plus a space for your logo
• The high risk construction work checklist, worded as WHS Regulation s 291, and the construction project question (s 292)
• A worker and health and safety representative consultation record
• Qualifications, plant, PPE, hazardous chemicals, safety equipment, permits, references and emergency arrangements filled in for this work
• A 5 x 5 risk matrix, and job steps with initial and residual risk scores and the people responsible
• Implementing, monitoring and review requirements, an additional controls log, revision history and a worker sign-on sheet

Review and adjust it for your site, your plant and the way your crew does the job, and talk it through with your workers before work starts. If you have any trouble downloading this SWMS, you can contact us at any time. Please make sure you read our Disclaimer before downloading this SWMS.