Important: This SWMS template is provided as a starting point only. It must be reviewed and customised to reflect the specific conditions, hazards, and controls for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the specific work. This template does not constitute legal advice. Refer to your state or territory WHS regulator for compliance requirements.

Confined Spaces

Pit Entry and Work — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for entry into electrical, telecommunications, or service pits and valve chambers, covering atmospheric hazards, falling objects, and electrical proximity risks.

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Personal Protective Equipment

4-gas personal monitor (O2, LEL, CO, H2S)Safety harness and rescue tripod with winchHard hatSteel-capped safety bootsAnti-static work glovesHigh-visibility vestIntrinsically safe torchEye protection

High Risk Construction Work Types

•Work in confined spaces
•Work near energised electrical installations

Risk Assessment

1.Pit Lid Removal and Opening

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Struck by vehicle while removing lid on road or footpath	Catastrophic	Establish a protected work zone using barriers, witches' hats, and advance warning signs before touching the pit lid. For road pits, a Traffic Management Plan must be in place and approved. Workers face oncoming traffic when working in the zone. Use a lid-lifting tool or vacuum lifter rather than bending over the pit in traffic.	Moderate	Traffic Controller / Site Supervisor
Falls into open pit or falling objects injuring entrant below	High	Immediately surround the open pit with a rigid barrier on all sides after lid removal. Never place tools or materials on the ground adjacent to an open pit. Lower tools into the pit using a tool bag and lowering rope — never throw items in. Entrant below must signal 'clear' before any item is lowered. Reinstate pit lid or fit a rigid cover plate whenever the pit is unattended.	Low	All Workers / Site Supervisor

2.Atmospheric Testing of Pit

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Oxygen depletion or toxic gas build-up in pit	Catastrophic	Lower the gas monitor probe to pit floor level before any entry. Test for O2, LEL, CO, and H2S. Allow readings to stabilise for 60 seconds. If readings exceed action levels, purge the pit with a portable blower for 5 minutes, then re-test. Entrant wears personal 4-gas monitor with audible alarm throughout work inside the pit. Document all readings on the confined space entry permit. For electrical pits, contact the asset owner to determine if SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride) may be present.	Low	Entry Supervisor / Entrant

3.Entry into Pit

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Electrocution from live cables or services inside pit	Catastrophic	Before entry, obtain and review as-built drawings showing all services inside the pit. Contact relevant service owners to identify live services and, where possible, arrange de-energisation before entry. Treat all cables as live until proven dead by a licensed electrician. Entrant wears insulating (anti-static) gloves rated for the voltage present. No tools or equipment with metallic components to contact identified live cables. Maintain minimum approach distances per AS/NZS 4836.	Moderate	Licensed Electrician / Site Supervisor
Entrant unable to self-rescue from deep pit	High	Set up retrieval tripod centred over the pit opening before entry. Attach full-body harness rescue lanyard to tripod winch. Standby person operates winch and maintains verbal contact with entrant every 2 minutes. If contact is lost, initiate non-entry retrieval immediately. Do not allow entry into pits deeper than 1.5 m without a rescue tripod and standby person.	Low	Standby Person / Entry Supervisor

4.Work Activities in Pit

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Musculoskeletal injury from awkward posture in small pit	Moderate	Limit continuous time working in the pit to 20-minute rotations. Where feasible, use long-handled tools to perform work from outside the pit. Workers perform dynamic stretching before entry. Any task requiring sustained overhead, bent, or kneeling postures must be assessed in the pre-task briefing with controls identified (e.g. kneeling pads, use of small step platform inside pit).	Low	Entrant / Site Supervisor

5.Exit and Reinstatement

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Pit left open or inadequately covered, creating fall hazard for public	High	At the end of each work session (including breaks), refit the pit lid or install a rated load-bearing temporary cover plate. Remove all barriers only after the lid is secured. Conduct a final tool-and-material check against the entry register. Sign off the confined space entry permit and notify the asset owner that work is complete. If the pit must remain open overnight, install an illuminated bollard system and lockable exclusion barrier.	Low	Site Supervisor / Entrant

Relevant Codes of Practice

Worker Acknowledgement

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.

Name: ___________________Date: ___________________