Product Overview

This Plumbing Drainage and Gas Fitting SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for plumbing, drainage and gas installation work. It is a comprehensive document that supports WHS compliance and manages risks across multiple aspects of plumbing drainage and gas fitting activities on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and preparation of plumbing, drainage and gas fitting works, including site assessment and service locating
• Selection, inspection and safe use of hand tools, power tools and portable equipment used in plumbing and gas work
• Excavation for drainage trenches, pits and pipework, including shoring, benching and protection from ground collapse
• Manual handling of pipes, fittings, cylinders and fixtures, with controls to minimise musculoskeletal injuries
• Installation, connection and testing of water supply and sanitary plumbing systems
• Installation, pressure testing and commissioning of gas fitting systems, appliances and associated pipework
• Control of gas-related hazards including leaks, ignition sources, ventilation and atmospheric monitoring where required
• Working in and around confined or restricted spaces such as pits, crawl spaces, ceiling cavities and service ducts
• Use of ladders, platforms and temporary access equipment for work at low heights in ceiling spaces and on walls
• Hot work activities such as soldering, brazing and cutting, including fire prevention and hot work permits where applicable
• Isolation, lock-out and tagging of water, gas and electrical services prior to commencing work
• Management of wastewater, contaminated materials, spoil and general plumbing waste in an environmentally responsible manner
• Traffic and pedestrian management when working in driveways, footpaths, roadways or shared access areas
• Emergency response procedures for gas leaks, fire, personal injury and exposure to hazardous substances

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for licensed plumbers, drainage contractors, gas fitters, maintenance plumbers, plumbing apprentices, and site supervisors coordinating plumbing, drainage and gas fitting works on residential, commercial or civil sites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance on safe systems of work when using ladders and working at low heights
• Safe Work Australia – Confined Spaces Code of Practice: Requirements for risk assessment, entry permits and controls when working in pits, shafts and other confined spaces
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders from lifting and handling pipes, fittings and equipment
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Guidance for controlling noise exposure from power tools and machinery
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Applicable to the handling and storage of gas cylinders, solvents, sealants and other chemicals
• Safe Work Australia – Excavation Work Code of Practice: Requirements for safe excavation of trenches and pits for drainage and services
• AS/NZS 5601 Gas Installations: Requirements for the safe design, installation and commissioning of gas fitting systems and appliances
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage: Technical provisions for the safe installation of plumbing and drainage systems