Submersible Pump Operation

The Submersible Pump Operation SOP (SOP-PMP-001) outlines vital safety measures for operating submersible pumps in various conditions. It is essential for operators and supervisors in the construction and excavation sectors to prevent serious incidents, such as electrocution or drowning. This comprehensive document ensures compliance with Australian workplace safety legislation and provides practical guidance on mitigating associated risks.

• Electric shock from damaged cable, faulty earthing, or wet plug — fatality
• Electrocution in flooded excavation if RCD fails or earthing is missing — fatality
• Drowning of operator trapped in a 'bird-cage' formed by tangled cable when retrieval is the only exit method — fatality
• Mechanical entrapment of fingers or clothing in suction inlet or impeller — laceration or amputation
• Manual handling injuries from lifting wet, heavy pumps and submerged cable
• Pump body and discharge hose movement under flow load causing struck-by injury
• Hot pump casing causing burns after dry-running
• Pumping into flammable atmospheres (fuel-contaminated water) — ignition / explosion

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and applicable state/territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth) — Part 3.1 Plant; Part 4.7 Electrical safety in the workplace
• AS/NZS 3000 — Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3012 — Electrical installations — Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 3760 — In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
• AS/NZS 4836 — Safe working on or near low-voltage and extra-low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• AS/NZS 60079 series — Explosive atmospheres (where pumping in flammable atmospheres)
• AS/NZS 60529 — Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Excavation Work
• Submersible Pump Pre-Start Checklist and Electrical Test Register (associated documents)