diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcGameDao.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcGameDao.java
index f5632f41f..63e0d3ac6 100644
--- a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcGameDao.java
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcGameDao.java
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package org.springframework.batch.sample.dao;
 
 import org.springframework.batch.item.ItemWriter;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.ClearFailedException;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.FlushFailedException;
 import org.springframework.batch.sample.domain.Game;
 import org.springframework.jdbc.core.support.JdbcDaoSupport;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
@@ -34,10 +36,10 @@ public class JdbcGameDao extends JdbcDaoSupport implements ItemWriter {
 		this.getJdbcTemplate().update(INSERT_GAME, args);
 	}
 
-	public void clear() throws Exception {
+	public void clear() throws ClearFailedException {
 	}
 
-	public void flush() throws Exception {
+	public void flush() throws FlushFailedException {
 	}
 
 }
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcPlayerSummaryDao.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcPlayerSummaryDao.java
index 6eca45e8c..9185ab3d7 100644
--- a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcPlayerSummaryDao.java
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/dao/JdbcPlayerSummaryDao.java
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package org.springframework.batch.sample.dao;
 
 import org.springframework.batch.item.ItemWriter;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.ClearFailedException;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.FlushFailedException;
 import org.springframework.batch.sample.domain.PlayerSummary;
 import org.springframework.jdbc.core.support.JdbcDaoSupport;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
@@ -31,10 +33,10 @@ public class JdbcPlayerSummaryDao extends JdbcDaoSupport implements ItemWriter {
 	public void close() throws Exception {
 	}
 
-	public void clear() throws Exception {
+	public void clear() throws ClearFailedException {
 	}
 
-	public void flush() throws Exception {
+	public void flush() throws FlushFailedException {
 	}
 
 }
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/DummyItemWriter.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/DummyItemWriter.java
index 3fb6bf6ad..d6ea77577 100644
--- a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/DummyItemWriter.java
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/DummyItemWriter.java
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 package org.springframework.batch.sample.item.writer;
 
 import org.springframework.batch.item.ItemWriter;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.ClearFailedException;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.FlushFailedException;
 
 /**
  * @author Dave Syer
@@ -30,10 +32,10 @@ public class DummyItemWriter implements ItemWriter {
 	public void close() throws Exception {
 	}
 
-	public void clear() throws Exception {
+	public void clear() throws ClearFailedException {
 	}
 
-	public void flush() throws Exception {
+	public void flush() throws FlushFailedException {
 	}
 
 }
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/StagingItemWriter.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/StagingItemWriter.java
index 54fae324f..718d2d7f9 100644
--- a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/StagingItemWriter.java
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/item/writer/StagingItemWriter.java
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import org.apache.commons.lang.SerializationUtils;
 import org.springframework.batch.execution.scope.StepContext;
 import org.springframework.batch.execution.scope.StepContextAware;
 import org.springframework.batch.item.ItemWriter;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.ClearFailedException;
+import org.springframework.batch.item.exception.FlushFailedException;
 import org.springframework.jdbc.core.support.JdbcDaoSupport;
 import org.springframework.jdbc.support.incrementer.DataFieldMaxValueIncrementer;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
@@ -76,10 +78,10 @@ public class StagingItemWriter extends JdbcDaoSupport implements
 	public void close() throws Exception {
 	}
 
-	public void clear() throws Exception {
+	public void clear() throws ClearFailedException {
 	}
 
-	public void flush() throws Exception {
+	public void flush() throws FlushFailedException {
 	}
 
 }