Free confined space entry SWMS

• The MapTrack confined space entry SWMS contains 17 checks across 4 sections. Sections covered: PREPARATION AND ISOLATION, TESTING AND VENTILATION, ENTRY AND WORK, RESCUE AND CLOSE OUT.
• Job description, site or project, principal contractor and the confined space entered
• SWMS number, date prepared and revision, with the person responsible for the SWMS
• Workers and roles, confined-space training, and the standby person nominated

Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.

• Permit-driven: the SWMS works alongside a written entry permit, so no one enters until the atmosphere, isolation and standby are confirmed.
• Atmosphere tested: testing before and continuously during entry catches oxygen deficiency and toxic or flammable gas that has no smell or warning.
• Energy isolated: isolating and locking out energy and material inflows stops a pump, auger or valve starting while someone is inside.
• Standby in place: a dedicated standby person outside maintains contact and triggers the rescue, so a worker in trouble is never unnoticed.
• Rescue without a second victim: a planned rescue that does not rely on the standby entering unprotected stops the rescuer becoming the next casualty.
• Regulatory fit: work in or near a confined space is high-risk construction work with its own permit duties, and this template captures the hazard, control and review detail required.
• Crew sign-on: every worker signs on, so the whole crew shares the same understanding of the isolation, testing and rescue arrangements.

• Job description, site or project, principal contractor and the confined space entered
• SWMS number, date prepared and revision, with the person responsible for the SWMS
• Workers and roles, confined-space training, and the standby person nominated
• Entry permit reference and the gas detector, ventilation and rescue equipment used
• Atmospheric test results before entry and the monitoring regime during entry
• Isolation of energy sources and material inflows: lock-out, tag-out and blanking
• Work steps in order, one row per step, covering isolation, testing, entry and exit
• Hazard, risk rating, controls and residual risk for each step
• Ventilation, communication method between standby and entrant, and access and egress
• Rescue plan and equipment, emergency arrangements, and worker sign-on before entry

1. Plan the entry and confirm training

   Define the work, the confined space and the site, and confirm every worker holds current confined-space training and the standby person is nominated. Work in or near a confined space is named high-risk construction work and carries its own permit duties, so the SWMS and entry permit must be ready and understood before anyone approaches the space, not written up afterwards.

2. Isolate energy and material inflows

   Isolate and lock out every energy source and material inflow that could harm an entrant, including pumps, augers, agitators, steam, gas and product lines, and blank or physically disconnect lines where a valve alone is not enough. A confined space that is fed by an unisolated line can fill, start or energise while a worker is inside, so isolation comes before any testing or entry.

3. Test the atmosphere and ventilate

   Test the atmosphere with a calibrated gas detector for oxygen, flammable gas and the toxic gases expected for that space before entry, and ventilate as needed. Continue monitoring during the work, because conditions can change once the task disturbs sludge, residue or coatings, and an atmosphere that tested safe on entry can turn dangerous mid-task.

4. Set standby, rate hazards and plan rescue

   Post a standby person outside who maintains communication with the entrant and controls the entry, score each work step and apply controls, and write a rescue plan that recovers a worker without the standby entering unprotected. Most confined-space deaths include a rescuer who rushed in, so the plan must use retrieval equipment and trained responders rather than instinct.

5. Sign on, monitor and review

   Every worker reads and signs on to the SWMS and the permit is authorised before entry. Keep both at the entry point, stop work and evacuate if the atmosphere or conditions change, and review the SWMS after the job or any incident so the isolation, testing and rescue controls stay current for the next entry.

Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.

This form is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The form alone does not establish compliance.

• Model Work Health and Safety Act (enacted in each state and territory; in Victoria, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations, confined spaces and entry permit duties (Part 4.3, regs 66-77; in Victoria, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017)
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Confined spaces
• AS 2865-2009 Confined spaces

• Model Codes of Practice (Safe Work Australia)
• Model WHS Regulations (Safe Work Australia)
• Model Work Health and Safety Act (Safe Work Australia)

MapTrack publishes this template. The linked authorities publish their own guidance; they haven't endorsed this form.

• Confined Space Entry Permit
• Excavation Trenching Swms Template
• Jsea Template
• Permit To Work Form
• Take 5 Risk Assessment
• Risk Register Template
• Asset tracking
• Reporting and analytics
• Book a demo