Lead Pipe Removal SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, removing and replacing lead service pipe, including excavation, testing, reinstatement and decontamination. It supports work planning and management of lead exposure, service, plant, traffic and excavation risks.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and assess lead-related site risks
• Set up the work zone, traffic controls and access restrictions
• Locate and isolate services before excavation
• Complete plant pre-starts and position plant safely
• Excavate to expose the service pipe
• Set up controls to manage lead exposure and contamination
• Disconnect, handle and remove lead pipe sections
• Install the replacement service pipe
• Test, flush and disinfect the service
• Backfill and reinstate the excavation
• Manage lead waste and complete decontamination
• Demobilise and complete the handover

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out lead pipe removal and replacement activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to identify hazards, eliminate or minimise risks using the hierarchy of controls, provide information, training, instruction, supervision and maintain control measures. Model guidance recognises the need to identify hazards, apply the hierarchy and review controls.
• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations for hazardous chemicals and lead processes, including assessment of lead-risk work, lead-area hygiene, worker information, regulator notification and health monitoring where triggered. Lead-process guidance requires lead containment, clean work areas, hygiene facilities and restrictions on eating, drinking and smoking.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work, including SWMS requirements where high-risk construction work is present; this is model guidance and must be checked against the law adopted in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Excavation Work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace, including inspection, safe set-up, suitable lifting attachments and use within safe working limits.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices; AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye and face protection; AS/NZS 1801 Occupational protective helmets; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility safety garments; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 3500.1 Plumbing and drainage—Water services; AS 2865 Confined spaces where applicable; AS 4744.1 Excavation safety where applicable.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections