Product Overview

This Water Truck SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls for the operation of water trucks, water carts and water tankers on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that supports WHS compliance and manages risks across all key aspects of Water Truck operations, from pre-start checks through to refuelling and traffic management.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Pre-start inspection and daily safety checks of water trucks, water carts and water tankers
• Safe operation of water trucks in civil construction, roadworks and dust suppression activities
• Loading, filling and securing water tanks from hydrants, standpipes, dams or other water sources
• Management of water spray systems, spray bars and hoses to minimise overspray and run-off
• Traffic management when operating water trucks in live work zones and around other plant
• Driving techniques for operating heavy water tankers on uneven, unsealed or sloping ground
• Controls for vehicle stability, load shift and sloshing of water during braking, cornering and travel
• Working around overhead and underground services when filling or operating water trucks
• Use of reversing cameras, spotters and alarms when manoeuvring in confined or congested areas
• Managing interaction with pedestrians, other vehicles and mobile plant on construction and mining sites
• Emergency procedures for spills, leaks, loss of load or vehicle incidents involving water tankers
• Safe refuelling, isolation, parking and securing of water trucks at the end of shift

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, road construction crews, mining and quarry operators, hire companies, and site supervisors overseeing the use of water trucks, water carts and water tankers.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on the safe use, inspection and maintenance of mobile plant such as water trucks and water tankers.
• Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice: Requirements for managing vehicle and mobile plant movements in and around work areas.
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: General duties for maintaining safe access, egress and work conditions where water trucks operate.
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for manual handling associated with hoses, fittings and access to tanks.
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of Machinery: Principles for guarding, controls and safety systems relevant to plant and equipment.
• AS 2359 Powered Industrial Trucks (where applicable): Reference for safe interaction between water trucks and other powered industrial vehicles on site.