Termite Reticulation System Installation SWMS

For termite system installers and builders who lay reticulation pipework in trenches around footings and under slabs before the pour. It covers trench work, pipework, chemical connection and charging, and coordination with the slab pour.

A SWMS is required by law only for high risk construction work (WHS Regulation s 299), so no item is pre-ticked. Tick the chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines item if the trench route is on or near an existing chemical or fuel line, and the trench item if any trench is deeper than 1.5 m.

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 Termite Reticulation System Installation SWMS?

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

• Trench collapse and falls into trenches
• Striking underground services
• Exposure to termiticide and solvent cement
• Hose or fitting failure during pressure testing
• Impalement on exposed reinforcement
• Struck by excavators, trucks and plant
• Manual handling and kneeling in trenches
• Pipe damage and rework around the slab pour
• Heat and sun on open ground
• Chemical spills into soil and drains

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

• General construction induction training card (white card) for construction work, and site induction
• Any trade, pest management or building licence that Queensland law requires for installing termite management systems and applying termiticide; confirm with the licensing authority before starting, as this is outside the WHS Act and Regulation (kept general here)
• Licensed plumber for plumbing work such as connecting to a water service (Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 s 56)
• Training in handling the termiticide product, reading the label and SDS, and responding to a spill
• Competent operator for any excavator or compaction plant used (no high risk work licence class covers excavators)
• First aid certificate for the first aider on site

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Excavation Work Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice 2021
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice 2021
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• Hazardous Manual Tasks 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
• Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (Qld)
• Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 (Qld): overhead power line exclusion zones in schedule 2

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.