Vacuum Equipment Operation

The Vacuum Equipment Operation SOP (SOP-VAC-001) provides comprehensive guidelines for effectively using vacuum equipment in environments where hazardous dust and materials are present. It covers key hazards such as inhalation of harmful substances, electrical safety, and the risks of manual handling. This document is crucial for workers involved in demolition and maintenance, ensuring compliance with safety legislation and reducing the risk of accidents and health issues associated with improper equipment use.

• Inhalation of hazardous dust (silica, lead, asbestos) if incorrect dust class is used → irreversible lung disease
• HEPA filter bypass or damage releasing captured dust to the workplace
• Electric shock from leads in wet operation if not rated for wet use → fatality
• Suction-injury to skin, eyes, or extremities from the nozzle
• Tip-over of trolley-mounted units, especially when wet-tank is full
• Manual handling injuries from heavy units, full waste tanks, and hose dragging
• Combustion or explosion if vacuuming hot, glowing, or flammable materials
• Cross-contamination if a unit used for asbestos is later used for general cleaning

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and applicable state/territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth) — Part 4.1 Hazardous Chemicals; Part 8 Asbestos; Part 4.7 Electrical Safety
• AS/NZS 60335.2.69 — Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety: Industrial vacuum cleaners
• AS/NZS 1715 — Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716 — Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 3012 — Electrical installations — Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 3760 — In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos
• Safe Work Australia — Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia — Working with silica and silica containing products (Guide)
• Vacuum Equipment Pre-Start Checklist (associated document)