Sump Pump / Basement Dewatering Install SWMS
A Safe Work Method Statement for sump pump / basement dewatering install covering all key hazards, controls and regulatory requirements. This is classified as high-risk construction work under WHS Regulation 2025.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Sump pump installation covers the installation of sump pumps and their pits that collect and remove water from low points — basements, lift pits, plant rooms, subfloor areas and drainage low points — pumping it to the drainage system. It is plumbing work that combines the excavation or construction of the sump pit, the electrical work to connect the pump, the potential for confined space entry into the pit, and the manual handling of the pump. This document is written on the basis that sump pumps are installed by a licensed plumber with the pit, discharge and any confined-space hazards controlled, and the electrical connection carried out by a licensed electrician.
Sump pump installation is plumbing work carried out in connection with the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500, with the discharge to the drainage system and any connection to the drinking water supply protected by backflow prevention where applicable. The pump and its controls involve electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician, and entry into a sump pit can meet the confined space definition. This document coordinates the drainage-standard, electrical, confined-space and discharge controls so the sump pump is installed safely.
Hazards identified
9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Electric shock where the pump is connected without a licensed electrician
Electric shock where electrical equipment operates in the wet sump environment
Oxygen deficiency, contaminated atmosphere and restricted egress in the pit
Musculoskeletal and crush injury placing the pump in the pit
Collapse or instability where the pit is excavated or constructed
Backflow or incorrect discharge where the connection is not protected
Infection where the sump collects contaminated or wastewater
Fall and impact injury into the open pit
Water release and discharge during commissioning
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Administrative: have the pump and controls connected electrically by a licensed electrician with the supply isolated, with the appropriate electrical protection for the wet sump environment, coordinating the plumbing and electrical work.
- 2Engineering: install the sump pump and discharge to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500, with the discharge to the correct point and backflow protection where the connection presents a hazard.
- 3Administrative: where entry into the sump pit is required and the pit meets the confined space definition, apply the confined space entry permit, atmospheric testing, ventilation, standby and rescue controls to the confined spaces Code of Practice.
- 4Engineering: control the excavation or construction of the sump pit against collapse and instability, and protect the open pit against falls with covers or barriers.
- 5Engineering: use mechanical aids or correct technique to place the pump, and where the sump collects contaminated water, manage the biological hazard with hygiene controls and washing facilities.
- 6Administrative: commission the pump, confirm the discharge and the float and control operation, and confirm the connection is correct and any backflow protection in place.
- 7Engineering: manage the discharge during commissioning so water is not released uncontrolled.
- 8Administrative: ensure the work is carried out and certified by an appropriately licensed plumber or gasfitter under the relevant state or territory plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with a compliance certificate issued where required.
- 9Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001) before entering any construction workplace, with the plumbing, gasfitting and any confined space competencies and licences required for the work.
- 10Administrative: conduct a daily pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, isolations, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
- 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.
- 12PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
- 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
The sanitary plumbing and drainage standard for the sump pump discharge to the drainage system.
Electrical safety and isolation for any electrical work, carried out by a licensed electrician.
Atmospheric testing, ventilation, entry permit and rescue controls where the work involves entry into a confined space.
The risk management process and hierarchy of controls applied to the hazards of the work.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Where installing or servicing a sump pump requires entry into a sump pit that meets the confined space definition, the work is high risk construction work requiring a SWMS before the work commences.
This is licensed plumbing or gasfitting work that, in the circumstances described, is high risk construction work — in or near a confined space — so a SWMS must be prepared before the work commences, kept readily accessible, reviewed as necessary, and given to the principal contractor if one is appointed. The work is carried out to the relevant AS/NZS 3500 plumbing and drainage standards and, where gas is involved, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, which are called up by the state and territory plumbing and gas safety legislation, with the excavation, confined space or work-at-height controls applied as relevant. A failure in this work can cause serious injury or harm to the water supply or the public, and breaches of the plumbing and gas legislation and the primary duty of care under the model WHS Act are actively enforced, with offence categories running from failure-to-comply through to reckless conduct, and the most serious breaches carrying imprisonment for individuals. Body-corporate maxima are substantial and indexed; the current maximum follows the prevailing schedule of the responsible regulator.
Who this is for
- →Licensed plumbers installing sump pumps and pits.
- →Plumbing businesses carrying out sump and drainage pump installation.
- →Drainage and maintenance contractors installing sump pumps.
- →Building owners and PCBUs requiring sump pumps for low points and pits.
- →PCBU safety managers and supervisors coordinating the electrical, confined-space and discharge controls.
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word document (.docx) fully compatible with Microsoft Word 2016 and newer, Google Docs, and LibreOffice Writer.
- ✓Title page with editable fields for PCBU name, ABN, site address, project name, principal contractor details, and document revision date.
- ✓Hazard register with the sump pump installation hazards — each with a documented consequence, inherent risk rating on a 5x5 likelihood-consequence matrix, hierarchy-of-control measures, and residual risk rating.
- ✓Sump pump installation prompts referencing AS/NZS 3500, an electrical-coordination and wet-environment section, a confined-space pit-entry section, and a discharge and commissioning record.
- ✓Licensing and compliance-certificate prompts for the relevant plumbing and gasfitting scheme, and a respiratory protection selection and fit-test record per AS/NZS 1715 where relevant.
- ✓Worker consultation record per the model WHS Act consultation duty and a worker sign-on register (blank, expandable).
- ✓Applicable legislation and Codes of Practice schedule pre-populated for the model WHS jurisdiction with a state-variance reference table covering the harmonised states, plus Victoria.
- ✓Emergency procedure template and a revision log.
Worked example
A licensed plumber is engaged to install a sump pump in a basement lift pit to remove water to the drainage system. The pump and discharge are installed to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500, with the discharge to the correct point and backflow protection where the connection presents a hazard. The pump and controls are connected electrically by a licensed electrician with the supply isolated and the appropriate electrical protection for the wet sump environment. Where entry into the pit is required and the pit meets the confined space definition, the confined space entry permit, atmospheric testing, ventilation, standby and rescue controls apply. The pit is protected against falls with a cover, and the pump is placed using correct technique. The pump is commissioned, with the discharge, float and control operation confirmed and the connection and backflow protection checked, and the discharge managed during commissioning so water is not released uncontrolled. The plumber issues the compliance certificate and retains the records.
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, excavation and asbestos 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, and, for gas, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 and AS/NZS 1596, are called up by the state and territory plumbing and gas safety legislation, together with the requirements of the relevant network utility or authority.
- Plumbing and gasfitting work is licensed under each state and territory's plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with compliance certification required for notifiable work; electrical work is carried out by a licensed electrician and refrigerant work by a licensed refrigeration technician.
- 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, excavation and asbestos provisions applying in place of the model instruments.
Frequently asked questions
Who connects a sump pump electrically?
The sump pump and its controls are connected electrically by a licensed electrician with the supply isolated and the appropriate electrical protection for the wet sump environment, because it is electrical work in a wet location. The plumber installs the pump, pit and discharge, and the electrical connection is carried out by the appropriate licensed electrical practitioner.
Are sump pits confined spaces?
Entry into a sump pit to install or service a pump can meet the confined space definition where the pit is enclosed, may have a contaminated or oxygen-deficient atmosphere, and has restricted entry and egress. In those cases the confined space entry permit, atmospheric testing, ventilation, standby and rescue controls apply, and the work is high risk construction work requiring a SWMS.
Where does a sump pump discharge?
The sump pump discharges to the correct point in the drainage system, installed to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500, with backflow protection where the connection presents a hazard to the drinking water supply. Discharging to the correct point and protecting the connection ensures the pumped water is removed properly without contaminating the supply or causing nuisance.
What if the sump collects contaminated water?
Where the sump collects contaminated water or wastewater, the biological hazard is managed with hygiene controls, washing facilities and appropriate protective clothing, in addition to the electrical and confined-space controls. The discharge is also handled appropriately for the contaminated water so it is removed to the correct point.
Is the pump tested after installation?
Yes. The pump is commissioned with the discharge, float and control operation confirmed, the connection and any backflow protection checked, and the discharge managed during commissioning so water is not released uncontrolled. Commissioning confirms the pump operates correctly and removes water to the drainage system as intended.