Concrete Washout Collection SWMS

Concrete washout collection covers the collection, containment and management of concrete washout water and slurry from construction sites — capturing the highly alkaline, caustic water used to wash out concrete trucks, pumps and tools, and managing and disposing of it so it does not contaminate drains, stormwater or ground. It is environmental-plumbing work whose defining hazard is the highly alkaline, caustic nature of the washout water, which can cause chemical burns to skin and eyes, together with the manual handling and the environmental consequences of an uncontained discharge. This document is written on the basis that concrete washout collection is carried out with the caustic-chemical, environmental and manual-handling hazards controlled.

Concrete washout collection is environmental and plumbing work carried out in connection with the environmental requirements and the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500 for any plumbed washout system. Concrete washout water is highly alkaline and caustic, with a high pH that can cause chemical burns, so it is handled as a hazardous chemical with skin and eye protection, and it must be contained and disposed of correctly so it does not enter drains, stormwater or ground. This document coordinates the caustic-chemical, containment, environmental and manual-handling controls so the washout is collected and disposed of safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Administrative: handle the concrete washout water as a hazardous chemical, recognising its high alkalinity and caustic nature, with the safety data sheet and exposure controls applied.
2. 2PPE: chemical-resistant gloves, eye and face protection against caustic splash, and protective clothing against skin contact, per the safety data sheet and AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716.
3. 3Engineering: contain the washout in a dedicated washout containment or system so it does not enter drains, stormwater or ground, and never discharge washout to a drain, stormwater or the ground.
4. 4Administrative: collect, transfer and dispose of the washout water and slurry correctly to the environmental requirements, controlling spills during handling and disposal.
5. 5Engineering: control cement dust and slurry to limit inhalation, and provide washing facilities for skin contact and caustic splash.
6. 6Engineering: use mechanical aids for the containment and equipment, and manage the washout and wet areas against slips.
7. 7Engineering: maintain plant-and-pedestrian separation around the washout area with a spotter where plant is involved.
8. 8Administrative: ensure the work is carried out and certified by an appropriately licensed plumber or drainer under the relevant state or territory plumbing licensing scheme, with the relevant competencies and a compliance certificate issued where required.
9. 9Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001) where the work is construction work, with the plumbing, confined space and any other competencies required for the work.
10. 10Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, isolations, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
11. 11Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
12. 12PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, high-visibility clothing, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
13. 13Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

A site plumber is engaged to set up and manage concrete washout collection on a construction site. The concrete washout water is handled as a hazardous chemical, recognising its high alkalinity and caustic nature, with the safety data sheet and exposure controls applied. Chemical-resistant gloves, eye and face protection against caustic splash, and protective clothing are worn, and washing facilities provided. A dedicated washout containment is set up so the washout does not enter drains, stormwater or ground, and washout is never discharged to a drain, stormwater or the ground. The washout water and slurry are collected, transferred and disposed of correctly to the environmental requirements, controlling spills. Cement dust and slurry are controlled to limit inhalation. Mechanical aids are used for the containment, and the washout and wet areas managed against slips, with plant-and-pedestrian separation maintained where plant is involved. The washout is collected and disposed of, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — Section 291 high risk construction work and the SWMS preparation and review duties, and the confined space and hazardous chemicals provisions where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The relevant plumbing and drainage standards AS/NZS 3500 (Parts 0–5), AS/NZS 1547 for on-site wastewater, AS/NZS 4233 for high-pressure water jetting, and the hazardous chemicals and environmental requirements, are called up by the relevant legislation, together with the relevant network utility and asset owner requirements.
• Plumbing and drainage work is licensed under each state and territory's plumbing licensing scheme, with the relevant competencies for confined space and chemical work, and compliance certification required for notifiable work; electrical work is carried out by a licensed electrician.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the high risk construction work, confined space and hazardous chemicals provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions