Steel/Poly Water Tank Install (Rural/Residential) SWMS
SWMS template for steel/poly water tank install. Covers Tank delivery + pad + connection.. 8-state AU coverage, CIH-reviewed editable DOCX, available as an instant download.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Rural and residential water tank installation covers the installation of water storage tanks at rural and residential properties — rainwater tanks, storage tanks and their connection to the collection, supply and any pump and treatment systems. It combines the plumbing with the placement of the large tank, and the hazards include the manual handling and placement of the large heavy tank, the work at height connecting to roof collection, the base and stability of the tank, and the protection of the drinking water supply where the tank water is used for drinking. This document is written on the basis that water tank installation is carried out by a licensed plumber with the manual-handling, work-at-height, stability and water-quality controls in place.
Rural and residential water tank installation is carried out to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500, with rainwater tanks and their connection to AS/NZS 3500.1 and the rainwater and drinking water requirements where the tank water is used for drinking, and any backflow protection where the tank connects to the drinking water supply. The placement of the large tank, the work at height connecting to roof collection, the tank base and stability, and the water quality are the considerations. This document coordinates the manual-handling, work-at-height, stability and water-quality controls so the water tank is installed safely.
Hazards identified
9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Crush and musculoskeletal injury placing the large heavy tank
Falls connecting the tank to the roof collection
Tank instability or collapse where the base is inadequate
Contamination where the tank water supply is not protected
Atmospheric and restricted-access hazards where entry into the tank is required
Excavation and service-strike hazards installing the base or pipework
Contamination from cross-connection of tank and mains water
Electric shock where a tank pump is connected by unlicensed personnel
Structural and stability hazards from the weight of the full tank
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Engineering: place the large heavy tank using mechanical lifting and the correct method, controlling the crush and manual-handling hazard.
- 2Engineering: provide fall prevention for the work at height connecting the tank to the roof collection, to the managing the risk of falls Code of Practice.
- 3Engineering: provide an adequate, stable and level base for the tank, designed for the weight of the full tank, so the tank is stable.
- 4Engineering: where the tank water is used for drinking, protect the water quality and provide backflow protection and prevent cross-connection where the tank connects to the mains supply, to AS/NZS 3500.1.
- 5Administrative: where entry into the tank is required, apply the confined space entry permit, atmospheric testing, ventilation, standby and rescue controls, and where excavation is involved locate services first and control the excavation.
- 6Administrative: have any tank pump electrical connection carried out by a licensed electrician with the supply isolated.
- 7Administrative: confirm the tank, its connection, stability and water quality on commissioning.
- 8Administrative: ensure the work is carried out and certified by an appropriately licensed plumber, drainer or gasfitter under the relevant state or territory plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with the relevant competencies and a compliance certificate issued where required.
- 9Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001) where the work is construction work, with the plumbing, gasfitting, confined space and any other competencies required for the work.
- 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.
- 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, high-visibility clothing, 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 water services standard for the water supply, backflow protection and connection.
The water services and rainwater tank requirements for the tank, its connection and water quality.
Fall-prevention controls for any work at height involved in the task.
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.
Who this is for
- →Licensed plumbers installing rural and residential water tanks.
- →Plumbing businesses providing water tank installation.
- →Rainwater and water-storage installers.
- →Rural and residential property owners and PCBUs.
- →PCBU safety managers and supervisors coordinating the manual-handling, work-at-height and water-quality 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 rural and residential water tank installation hazards — each with a documented consequence, inherent risk rating on a 5x5 likelihood-consequence matrix, hierarchy-of-control measures, and residual risk rating.
- ✓Water tank prompts referencing AS/NZS 3500.1 and rainwater tank requirements, a manual-handling and tank-placement section, a work-at-height and stability section, and a water-quality and backflow record.
- ✓Licensing, competency and permit prompts for the relevant plumbing, gasfitting, confined space and specialist work, 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 rainwater tank at a rural property where the tank water is used for drinking. The large heavy tank is placed using mechanical lifting and the correct method, controlling the crush hazard, on an adequate, stable and level base designed for the weight of the full tank. Fall prevention is provided for the work at height connecting the tank to the roof collection. Because the tank water is used for drinking, the water quality is protected, backflow protection provided and cross-connection prevented where the tank connects to the mains supply, to AS/NZS 3500.1. Where entry into the tank is required, the confined space controls apply, and where excavation is involved, services are located first and the excavation controlled. Any tank pump electrical connection is carried out by a licensed electrician with the supply isolated. The tank, its connection, stability and water quality are confirmed on commissioning, 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, excavation, demolition and electrical provisions where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
- The relevant plumbing and drainage standards AS/NZS 3500 (Parts 0–5), AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 for gas, the pressure piping and pressure equipment standards, the AS 4032 valve standards, and the hazardous chemicals, demolition and asbestos requirements, are called up by the relevant legislation, together with the relevant network utility, insurer and site requirements.
- Plumbing, drainage and gasfitting work is licensed under each state and territory's plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with the relevant competencies for the specialist 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, excavation and demolition provisions applying in place of the model instruments.
Frequently asked questions
What does water tank installation involve?
Water tank installation installs water storage tanks at rural and residential properties — rainwater and storage tanks — and connects them to the collection, supply and any pump and treatment systems. It combines the plumbing with the placement of the large tank, the work at height connecting to roof collection, and the tank base and stability.
How is the large tank placed safely?
The large heavy tank is placed using mechanical lifting and the correct method, controlling the crush and manual-handling hazard, on an adequate, stable and level base designed for the weight of the full tank. Managing the manual handling of the large tank and providing a stable base are important parts of the installation.
Why does the tank base matter?
The tank base must be adequate, stable and level, and designed for the weight of the full tank, because an inadequate base can cause the tank to be unstable or collapse. A full water tank is very heavy, so the base and stability are important to ensure the tank is safe.
How is the drinking water protected where tank water is drunk?
Where the tank water is used for drinking, the water quality is protected, backflow protection provided, and cross-connection prevented where the tank connects to the mains supply, to AS/NZS 3500.1. Protecting the water quality and preventing cross-connection ensures the tank water supply is safe for drinking.
Does tank installation involve confined space entry?
It can, where entry into the tank is required during installation or connection. In those cases the confined space entry permit, atmospheric testing, ventilation, standby and rescue controls apply, because a tank can be a confined space with restricted access and possible atmospheric hazards.