High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement, or High Pressure Cleaning SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage high pressure cleaning risks before using pressure washers or water blasting equipment. Easily select the scope of work, possible hazards, and required PPE from a list of choices, then work through a ready-to-use list of job steps, risk assessments, and method statements for common high pressure cleaning activities.
Looking for a smart high pressure cleaning SWMS you can download and edit? It comes pre-filled with high pressure cleaning job steps, risk assessments, and method statements you can edit to match how your company works, and your crew can scan to sign on before starting and export the finished SWMS to PDF or CSV.
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What is High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement, or High Pressure Cleaning SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, cleaners, and maintenance workers to plan how high pressure cleaning activities will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the work area, equipment type, water pressure, hoses, cleaning chemicals, drainage, electrical hazards, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with high pressure cleaning work, hazards such as injection injuries, slips, flying debris, electrical contact, chemical exposure, noise, hose whip, and contaminated run-off have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes High Pressure Cleaning SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian construction, facilities management, maintenance, civil works, utilities, transport, and industrial sites where surfaces, equipment, drains, or work areas are cleaned with high pressure water.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement. However, Australian WHS laws require PCBUs to prepare a SWMS for high-risk construction work where applicable, and to document hazards, risks, and control measures involved in high pressure water, surface cleaning, plant use, chemical handling, and work near other people or the public. A High Pressure Cleaning SWMS is a good document to support compliance to this.
- Model WHS Regulations require a SWMS for high-risk construction work in Australia
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers plant, equipment, and pressure-related hazards
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers hazardous chemicals and PPE requirements
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require risk controls for high pressure cleaning work
- Local site and principal contractor requirements commonly require SWMS documents for high pressure cleaning activities
Staff Members and Parties that use High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A High Pressure Cleaning SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage pressure washing, surface cleaning, chemical cleaning, exterior washing, concrete cleaning, or other works involving high pressure equipment. Here are examples of other common parties that use a High Pressure Cleaning SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- High pressure cleaning workers
- Plant and equipment operators
- Health and safety teams
- Contractors and subcontractors carrying out cleaning work
Business Risks Reduced by High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A High Pressure Cleaning SWMS puts controls in place for the hazards behind most high pressure cleaning incidents, such as injection injuries, slips and trips, flying debris, chemical exposure, electric shock, noise, hose whip, and interaction with pedestrians or nearby workers. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks.
- Injuries, illness, and high pressure cleaning-related incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and pressure cleaning safety requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from injuries, equipment damage, investigations, and site shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared High Pressure Cleaning SWMS helps businesses improve control over pressure cleaning, equipment use, chemical handling, and public interface risks. Here are some ways a well-designed High Pressure Cleaning SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before high pressure cleaning work begins
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender-offer competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, cleaning workers, equipment operators, and site teams
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a High Pressure Cleaning SWMS?
A High Pressure Cleaning SWMS should be prepared before high pressure cleaning work is carried out as part of high risk construction work or on sites with higher-risk conditions. While exact requirements can vary across Australian states, territories, projects, and principal contractor requirements, there are some core elements that are typically included that you should know about:
- Scope of work, site location, cleaning area, equipment type, pressure rating, and responsible persons
- Job steps for setting up, inspecting equipment, isolating the area, cleaning, managing runoff, packing up, and disposing of waste
- Hazards such as injection injuries, slips, flying debris, electric shock, chemical exposure, noise, manual handling, and public interaction
- Required controls such as exclusion zones, PPE, equipment checks, pressure control, runoff containment, chemical handling, and communication methods
- Risk ratings, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
Why are High Pressure Cleaning SWMS Important?
High Pressure Cleaning SWMS are important because high pressure cleaning can expose workers and nearby people to serious injuries from high pressure water, flying debris, slippery surfaces, chemicals, and electrical hazards. This is critically important on construction, civil, industrial, maintenance, and facility sites where cleaning may occur around drains, live services, pedestrians, vehicles, or other trades.
Essentially, a High Pressure Cleaning SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, equipment checks, exclusion zones, PPE, runoff controls, and emergency procedures have been reviewed before the task begins. Additionally, it gives project management teams clear documentation of the due diligence performed, supporting consultation, site coordination, and compliance with Australian WHS requirements where the work forms part of construction or higher-risk site activity.
How to Create a High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Building effective High Pressure Cleaning SWMS forms requires the right structure and information. In this section, we explain how to create your own SWMS forms from scratch.
Before starting your High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- High pressure cleaning scope and work areas must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Equipment, hose, nozzle, and pressure checks must be included.
- PPE, water runoff, electrical, and public safety controls must be noted.
- Worker sign-off and SWMS review requirements must be recorded.
Start with Project and SWMS Information
First, you need to place high-level general information at the beginning of your High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement to help establish context for the work to be done. Here are some examples of core elements that you can use:
- Project name and site location
- SWMS title and document reference number
- Description of high pressure cleaning works to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, and operators
Define the Scope of High Pressure Cleaning Works
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what high pressure cleaning activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your High Pressure Cleaning SWMS:
- Type of surface, structure, plant, or equipment being cleaned
- Work area, access points, and drainage points
- Pressure cleaner, hoses, nozzles, lances, and attachments being used
- Water source, power source, fuel, or cleaning products required
- Exclusion zones, public access controls, and nearby work areas
Assess High Pressure Cleaning Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before high pressure cleaning starts so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- High pressure water injection injuries or contact with the water jet
- Flying debris, dislodged material, or splash-back
- Slips, trips, and falls from wet surfaces, hoses, or poor drainage
- Electric shock from powered equipment, cords, or nearby electrical services
- Noise, vibration, chemicals, poor visibility, or interaction with nearby workers
Record Safety Control Measures and Work Method
After the hazards are identified, you will want to determine the appropriate safety control measures to reduce risks for your workers and nearby site personnel. Be sure to document the following information in your SWMS:
- Pre-start checks for hoses, fittings, nozzles, triggers, guards, and pressure settings
- Exclusion zones, barricades, signs, and splash protection
- Safe hose handling, trigger control, and nozzle direction requirements
- PPE requirements such as eye protection, face protection, gloves, hearing protection, and waterproof clothing
- Work sequence for set-up, testing, cleaning, shutdown, clean-up, and waste water control
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your High Pressure Cleaning SWMS with review, approval, and worker sign-off to confirm that the work method and safety control measures have been communicated before work starts. Here are some examples of fields you can include:
- Names and roles of reviewers and approvers
- Date of review and approval
- Worker confirmation that the SWMS has been read and understood
- Supervisor or person in charge sign-off
- Revision number and next review trigger
Frequently asked questions
How to create SWMS Process in an App or Software System
A well-designed SWMS process ensures workers clearly understand the hazards, risks, and required control measures to perform high-risk work, while enabling your team to easily document, review, and share safe work procedures before work begins.
40 minutes
Medium difficulty
Start your High Pressure Cleaning SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct high pressure cleaning activity. This section should use simple text and date fields for fields such as:
- Text field or Automatic Form Counter for SWMS Reference Number
- Date selector field for Date
- Text fields for Project Name and Address
- Text field or Automatic Single Day Weather capture
- Multi-line text field for Description of Work
Create a Section for Scope of Work, Hazards, and PPE
Next, create a section where users can select the project scope, possible hazards, and required PPE for the high pressure cleaning works. For simplicity, we recommend using multiple-choice selector fields for this section, with fields such as:
- Multiple-choice selector field for Project Scope
- Multiple-choice selector field for Possible Hazards
- Multiple-choice selector field for PPE Required, including Ear Protection
- Conditional text field for other hazards or PPE not listed in the pre-filled choices
Create a Table for Material and Equipment Information
Users will next need to list down the high-pressure cleaner, hoses, lance, nozzle, waste water recovery equipment, and other equipment required for the task. We highly recommend using a table for this section so each item can be recorded with its make, asset details, and required training information.
- First column for Material or Equipment Name
- Second column for Make or Model
- Third column for Registration or Asset ID, if any
- Fourth column for Required License or Training, if any
Create a Table for the Method Statement and Risk Assessment
Next, create the main SWMS table where users can record each high pressure cleaning job step, hazards, risk scores, controls, and responsible persons. We highly recommend using a table for this section, with the following formatting for the columns:
- First column for Job Step
- Second column for Potential Hazards
- Third column for Initial Risk Score
- Fourth column for Controls
- Fifth column for Residual Risk Score
- Sixth column for Person Responsible
Add Pre-filled Method Statement Rows for High Pressure Cleaning Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common high pressure cleaning job steps in the attached SWMS. These rows help users complete the form faster while still allowing the SWMS to be adjusted for the actual site task.
- Row for Pre-start planning, work area setup and equipment inspection
- Row for Operating the high-pressure cleaner
- Row for Cleaning around electrical equipment and using cleaning chemicals
- Row for lowering pressure, cleaning and shutting down equipment
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some high pressure cleaning tasks may require extra job steps depending on stormwater drains, waste water recovery, chemical use, slippery surfaces, electrical equipment, or contaminated runoff. We highly recommend creating an additional method statement table so users can add extra risk assessment rows when needed.
- Columns for Job Step, Potential Hazards, Likelihood, Consequence, Initial Risk Score, Controls, Residual Risk Score, and Person Responsible
- Dropdown fields for Likelihood and Consequence scores
- Risk Score = Likelihood Rating x Consequence Rating
Create a Section for Risk Matrix Guidance
Next, add a risk matrix section as a guide for users to assess initial and residual risk scores for any additional job steps they may add. We highly recommend using the following fields and features to help guide users:
- Pre-filled or photo of the Risk Matrix table showing Likelihood, Consequence, and Risk Score levels
- Pre-filled text field for Consequence ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled text field for Likelihood ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled guide for residual risk actions, including Low, Moderate, High, and Catastrophic risk outcome
End your High Pressure Cleaning SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the High Pressure Cleaning Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with worker confirmation and sign-off fields for the responsible parties. If your app or software allows, use scan-to-sign and automatic e-signature fields to keep the sign-off process digital.
- A scan to sign-on table for workers’ sign-off
- E-signature field for Supervisor Sign-off
- E-signature field for Project Manager Sign-off
- Automatic date and time stamp fields for each sign-off
About the author
Ron Gadugdug
Engineering Content Writer
Education:
Cebu Institute of Technology - University - Civil Engineering
Bio:
Ron is a Civil Engineer with 6 years of experience in the construction industry, primarily focused on quantity surveying, cost estimation, project management, quality control, contract administration, and property & engineering insurance. At Sitemate, he writes about practical applications of evolving technologies and digital solutions that support construction professionals in improving efficiency, compliance, and project delivery across the built world.
Project Details:
Quantity Surveying & Cost Engineering
Performed quantity take-offs of several high-rise and horizontal structures using sheets and applications like Revit and Bluebeam Revu, and spearheaded trials with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
Project Management & Consultancy
Coordinated with project management teams during the construction of local projects such as a 4-tower hotel & resort, a 22 storey condominium project, and a school dormitory project.
Contract Administration
Assisted during contract biddings and negotiations with general contractors and sub-contractors, and oversaw progress reporting, billings, and payment.
Property & Engineering Insurance
Dedicated non-life claims handler, overseeing property and contractor all-risk insurance claims, risk management, and bonds.
Version History:
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