Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, compliant process for carrying out plumbing adjustments that improve accessibility in Australian workplaces and facilities. It guides your team to complete modifications safely, in line with WHS obligations and disability access requirements, while minimising disruption to building users.

Plumbing adjustments for accessibility are critical to ensuring that workplaces, public buildings and commercial premises are safe, dignified and usable for people with disability, older persons and anyone with temporary or permanent mobility limitations. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach for planning, carrying out and verifying plumbing modifications such as accessible toilets, hand basins, showers, grab rails, lever taps and clearances around fixtures. It is designed specifically for the Australian regulatory environment, aligning plumbing work with WHS duties and disability access requirements.

Beyond technical installation, the SOP addresses the practical safety risks that arise when modifying existing services—such as isolating water supply, managing hot water scald risks, working in confined amenities, and controlling slip and trip hazards during works. It also helps businesses demonstrate due diligence by documenting risk assessments, consultation with building users, and final compliance checks against relevant Australian Standards and the National Construction Code (NCC). By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce rework, avoid costly non‑compliance issues, and provide safer, more inclusive facilities for staff, customers and visitors.

Key Benefits

• Ensure accessible plumbing works are completed in line with Australian WHS laws, NCC requirements and disability access standards.
• Reduce the risk of injuries associated with hot water, slips, trips, manual handling and confined workspaces during plumbing modifications.
• Standardise how plumbers and maintenance teams scope, install and verify accessibility adjustments across multiple sites.
• Demonstrate due diligence and provide clear evidence of compliance for audits, insurance claims and regulator enquiries.
• Improve user safety, dignity and independence for people with disability, older workers and visitors through well‑designed accessible amenities.

Who is this for?

• Licensed Plumbers
• Plumbing Supervisors
• Maintenance Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Building Services Coordinators
• Project Managers (Fit‑outs and Refurbishments)
• WHS Managers
• Disability Access Consultants
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers
• Strata and Property Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hot water and scalding risks during adjustment of mixers, tempering valves and hot water services
• Slips, trips and falls in wet areas during and after plumbing works
• Manual handling injuries when lifting and positioning toilets, basins, grab rails and shower seats
• Working in confined or restricted spaces such as small toilet cubicles and plant rooms
• Contact with biological contaminants when working on existing sanitary fixtures and pipework
• Use of power tools, cutting tools and drilling into walls, floors and tiles
• Uncontrolled release of water due to inadequate isolation or failed fittings
• Struck‑by injuries from falling fixtures, panels or tiles during modification works

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Accessibility Concepts
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes
• 5.0 Pre‑Work Planning and Consultation
• 6.0 Site Assessment and Existing Services Review
• 7.0 Risk Assessment and WHS Controls
• 8.0 Required Licences, Competencies and Training
• 9.0 Tools, Equipment and Materials
• 10.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 11.0 Isolation of Services and Lockout/Tagout Procedures
• 12.0 Step‑by‑Step Procedure – Accessible Toilets
• 13.0 Step‑by‑Step Procedure – Accessible Basins and Tapware
• 14.0 Step‑by‑Step Procedure – Accessible Showers and Wet Areas
• 15.0 Installation of Grab Rails, Shower Seats and Accessories
• 16.0 Hot Water Temperature Control and Scald Prevention
• 17.0 Waterproofing, Sealing and Finishing in Wet Areas
• 18.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Hygiene Controls
• 19.0 Verification of Dimensions, Clearances and Reach Ranges
• 20.0 Testing, Commissioning and Functional Checks
• 21.0 Documentation, As‑Built Records and Handover
• 22.0 Incident Reporting and Non‑Conformance Management
• 23.0 Periodic Review, Maintenance and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory regulations
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Volume One, Access and Egress and Sanitary and Other Facilities provisions
• AS 1428.1: Design for access and mobility – General requirements for access – New building work
• AS 1428.2: Design for access and mobility – Enhanced and additional requirements – Buildings and facilities
• AS 1428.4.1: Design for access and mobility – Means to assist the orientation of people with vision impairment
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage series
• AS 3740: Waterproofing of domestic wet areas
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks