Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) provides a structured approach to managing the risks associated with soldering, brazing and heat treatment activities on Australian worksites, supporting strong WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of Soldering, Brazing and Heat Treatment, from preparation and set-up through to shutdown and housekeeping controls.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and preparation for soldering, brazing and heat treatment tasks, including work area assessment and permit-to-work requirements
• Safe set-up and isolation of power, gas and fuel sources for hot works operations
• Annealing and case hardening of metals, including controlled heating and cooling to minimise distortion and cracking
• Annealing and tempering processes with controls for temperature monitoring, quenching and handling of hot components
• Brazing and soldering processes, including flux application, joint preparation and fume control
• Operation of manual and automated brazing equipment, including metal brazing machines and associated guarding
• Hot brazing of assemblies and components, with controls for spatter, radiant heat and ignition sources
• Hot works involving soldering copper pipes, including confined or restricted space considerations and fire watch duties
• Use of hot cutting knives and similar heated tools, with controls for burns, cuts and contact with hot surfaces
• Safe operation of hot glue applicators, including cartridge changes, cord management and thermal burn prevention
• Conducting galvanising processes, including pre-treatment, dipping and handling of molten zinc baths
• Participation in galvanizing process operations, including loading/unloading jigs and managing splash and fume exposure
• Conducting induction heating tasks, including coil positioning, guarding and electromagnetic field considerations
• Preheating of metals and components prior to welding, brazing or treatment, including temperature control and monitoring
• Housekeeping, cooling, storage and disposal of hot materials, fluxes and consumables to prevent fire and environmental contamination

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for metal fabricators, boilermakers, plumbers, HVAC technicians, galvanising and heat treatment operators, maintenance teams, and site supervisors responsible for managing hot works and thermal processing activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Welding Processes Code of Practice: Guidance on managing health and safety risks associated with welding, soldering and allied hot work processes.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Applicable where soldering, brazing or heat treatment is undertaken at height.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Relevant to fluxes, gases, solvents, coatings and other hazardous substances used in soldering, brazing and heat treatment.
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Where induction heating, metal cutting or associated plant generates hazardous noise.
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with hot works and thermal processes.
• AS/NZS 1674.1 Safety in welding and allied processes – Fire precautions: Requirements for controlling fire and explosion risks during hot work, including brazing and soldering.
• AS/NZS 1674.2 Safety in welding and allied processes – Electrical: Electrical safety guidance for powered soldering, brazing and induction heating equipment.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment: Applicable where fumes, gases or vapours are generated during soldering, brazing and galvanising.
• AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices: Performance requirements for respirators used during hot works and heat treatment operations.
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017