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

Tank and Vessel Entry — Safe Work Method Statement

Safe Work Method Statement for entry into tanks and vessels including atmospheric testing, isolation, and rescue procedures in compliance with the model WHS Regulations.

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Personal Protective Equipment

Full-face supplied air respirator (SAR) or SCBAChemical-resistant coverallsSafety harness and lanyardSteel-capped safety bootsChemical-resistant glovesHard hatIntrinsically safe head torch

High Risk Construction Work Types

•Work in confined spaces
•Work involving hazardous atmospheres

Risk Assessment

1.Isolation and Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO)

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Inadvertent energisation or introduction of hazardous substances	Catastrophic	Apply full LOTO procedure: isolate all energy sources (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, chemical), fit personal locks and tags to each isolation point, drain and de-pressure all lines connected to the vessel, and verify zero-energy state with multi-point testing. Maintain an isolation register and confirm all workers have applied their personal lock before any person approaches the entry point. Assign a designated Isolation Authority who holds the master isolation certificate.	Low	Permit-to-Work Issuer / Site Supervisor
Failure to identify all energy sources	High	Conduct a pre-entry P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) review with the asset owner to identify every inlet, outlet, vent, drain and instrumentation point. Mark up an isolation plan drawing, physically walk the line to confirm each isolation, and have a second person verify the completed isolation before entry is permitted.	Low	Site Supervisor / Permit Issuer

2.Atmospheric Testing

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched atmosphere causing asphyxiation or fire	Catastrophic	Test atmosphere at entry point and at multiple depths (top, middle, bottom) using a calibrated 4-gas monitor (O2, LEL, CO, H2S) before entry and continuously during work. Acceptable ranges: O2 19.5–23.5%, LEL <5%, CO <25 ppm, H2S <1 ppm. If readings are outside limits, purge with fresh air, re-test, and only permit entry when results are within acceptable range. Maintain continuous monitoring with audible/visual alarms throughout the task.	Low	Confined Space Standby Person / Entry Supervisor
Toxic gas release during entry from residues	Catastrophic	Review vessel contents history and obtain Safety Data Sheets for all previous materials. Carry out pre-purge with inert gas if flammable residues are present, then displace with fresh air. Entrants wear supplied-air respirators until 3 consecutive clear atmospheric readings are achieved at 5-minute intervals. Keep standby person at entrance with rescue equipment on standby at all times.	Moderate	Entry Supervisor / Safety Officer

3.Entry and Egress

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Worker unable to self-rescue or retrieve due to structural layout	Catastrophic	Fit each entrant with a full-body safety harness attached to a tripod-mounted mechanical retrieval device positioned over the entry point. Standby person holds the retrieval line and maintains verbal or visual contact at all times. If contact is lost for more than 30 seconds, initiate rescue plan immediately. Entrants must never progress further than the retrieval length allows.	Moderate	Standby Person / Entry Supervisor
Slips, trips, and falls on wet or corroded internal surfaces	High	Inspect internal surfaces by camera before entry. Provide non-slip temporary walkway boards or grating where surfaces are wet or corroded. Workers wear slip-resistant footwear rated for the chemical environment. Lighting of at least 200 lux (intrinsically safe) must be deployed inside the vessel before entry.	Low	Entrant / Site Supervisor

4.Work Activities Inside the Tank

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Heat stress in hot or poorly ventilated vessels	High	Measure Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) inside the vessel before and during entry. Implement work-rest schedule: maximum 20 minutes work with 40 minutes rest if WBGT exceeds 28°C. Supply cooled forced ventilation. Workers must be monitored for signs of heat illness by standby person. Provide cool drinking water and electrolyte replacement immediately outside the entry point. Rotate workers and maintain an entry/exit log.	Moderate	Entry Supervisor / Safety Officer
Ignition of flammable residues during cleaning or grinding	Catastrophic	No hot work (grinding, welding, cutting) permitted inside the vessel until LEL reading is 0% on a calibrated gas monitor. Issue a separate hot work permit if hot work is required. Use only intrinsically safe or air-powered tools for routine cleaning. Remove all flammable residues and wash down with water before work commences. Conduct atmospheric test immediately before each work session.	Moderate	Permit Issuer / Entrant

5.Emergency Rescue

Hazard / Risk	Initial Risk	Control Measures	Residual Risk	Responsibility
Delayed rescue of incapacitated entrant	Catastrophic	Establish a written emergency rescue plan before entry commences, including roles, equipment locations, emergency services contacts, and hospital route. Conduct a toolbox talk covering the plan with all workers. Standby person must remain at entry point with retrieval device, fully operational at all times. A second standby person must be available to call 000 while retrieval is in progress — no single standby person may enter to rescue without backup. Rescue equipment (SCBA, stretcher, first aid kit) must be staged within 5 metres of the entry point.	Moderate	Entry Supervisor / Standby Person

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: ___________________