Vacuum Truck Operation

The Vacuum Truck Operation SOP (SOP-VTR-001) provides comprehensive guidelines for safe operations during hydro-excavation and vacuum truck activities. It addresses critical hazards such as high-pressure water injection injuries, underground utility strikes, and suction injuries, ensuring that operators are aware of the risks involved. This document is essential for all workers operating vacuum trucks and helps maintain compliance with relevant safety legislation, enhancing workplace safety and risk management.

• Hydro-excavation pressure injection injury — water above 2000 PSI (≈14 MPa) can penetrate skin and cause fatal tissue damage even from inches away
• Strike of underground utility (electricity, gas, fibre, water) during excavation → fatality, fire, explosion
• Suction injury — high-vacuum hose can entrap clothing, hair, or limbs causing crush or amputation
• Confined space hazards if a worker enters a trench or pit excavated by the truck — atmosphere, engulfment, drowning
• Heavy vehicle traffic incident — fatality of public, workers, or driver
• Exposure to hazardous waste — chemical, biological (raw sewage), petroleum, asbestos slurry
• Manual handling of heavy hose, lance, and reaction forces from pressurised water
• Tank rollover or unstable truck on slopes when waste tank is full or partially full

• 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 4.3 Confined Spaces; Part 6.3 Excavation Work
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) — fatigue, mass, vehicle standards
• Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code — for hazardous liquid waste transport
• AS 1418 series — Cranes, hoists and winches (where lifting boom is fitted)
• AS 1742 series — Manual of uniform traffic control devices
• AS/NZS 1716 — Respiratory protective devices
• AS 4775 — Emergency eyewash and shower equipment
• AS/NZS 4360 / ISO 31000 — Risk management
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Excavation Work
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Confined Spaces
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Before You Dig Australia (BYDA / 1100) — Industry guidance for safe excavation
• Vacuum Truck Pre-Start Checklist and Waste Consignment Record (associated documents)