Product Overview

This Bathroom Renovation SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for bathroom demolition and installation works. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of bathroom strip-out, plumbing and fixture installation to support WHS compliance and the safe management of High Risk Construction Work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Dismantling existing bathroom installations, including safe isolation of services and controlled removal of fixtures
• Installing drop-in baths, including manual handling, positioning, levelling, and securing to manufacturer specifications
• Installing new fixtures such as bathtubs, basins, toilets, and shower bases with appropriate plumbing and sealing controls
• Positioning and fixing heavy vanity units, including lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids, and wall-fixing methods
• Managing demolition activities such as removal of tiles, wall linings, and floor coverings while controlling dust, noise, and debris
• Isolation and reconnection of water, waste, and electrical services in consultation with licensed trades
• Use of power tools (e.g. drills, grinders, demolition hammers) for cutting, drilling, and chasing in walls and floors
• Working in confined or restricted bathroom spaces, including access, egress, and housekeeping controls
• Control of slips, trips, and falls on wet or uneven bathroom floors and work surfaces
• Handling, cutting, and installing tiles, sheeting, and waterproofing systems to prevent exposure to hazardous substances
• Use of ladders and step platforms for overhead work such as ceiling, lighting, and high-wall installations
• Waste management, including segregation, storage, and disposal of demolition materials and packaging
• General site safety, including signage, barricading, public protection, and coordination with other trades

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for bathroom renovators, plumbers, carpenters, tilers, builders, and site supervisors involved in residential or commercial bathroom renovation works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Construction Work – Guidance on managing risks associated with construction activities, including renovation and refurbishment
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction – Requirements and controls for working at heights and use of ladders and platforms
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Controls for noisy demolition and power tool use
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Risk management for lifting and moving heavy items such as baths and vanities
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Framework for identifying hazards and implementing control measures
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage – Technical requirements for compliant plumbing installations
• AS 3740 Waterproofing of domestic wet areas – Standards for waterproofing in bathrooms and other wet areas
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017