Product Overview

This Plumbing Temporary Services Connection SWMS is a site-specific safety document designed to identify hazards and implement controls for temporary plumbing service installations on Australian worksites, supporting ongoing WHS compliance. It provides comprehensive coverage of temporary water, sewer and associated service connections, ensuring safe, controlled and compliant management of all aspects of Plumbing Temporary Services Connection.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and coordination of temporary plumbing services with builders, principal contractors and other trades
• Selection of appropriate materials, fittings and pipework for temporary water and sewer connections
• Connecting water supply piping to existing mains, meters or temporary distribution manifolds
• Isolation, lock-out and tagging of existing water services prior to making temporary connections
• Cross-connection control between potable water, non-potable water and other fluid systems
• Installation and verification of backflow prevention devices to protect drinking water quality
• Foul sewer connection to existing sewer infrastructure, inspection openings or temporary holding systems
• Management of wastewater flows, blockages and overflows during temporary sewer operations
• Excavation, trenching and backfilling for underground temporary water and sewer lines
• Manual handling of pipes, fittings, pumps and associated plumbing components
• Use of power tools and hand tools for cutting, threading, joining and pressure testing pipework
• Pressure testing, leak detection and commissioning of temporary plumbing services
• Housekeeping, trip hazard control and segregation of temporary pipework from trafficable areas
• Environmental controls for sediment, contaminated water and discharge to stormwater or sewer
• Emergency response procedures for bursts, leaks, contamination events and exposure to sewage

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for plumbers, plumbing contractors, civil plumbing crews, maintenance teams and site supervisors involved in installing, modifying or managing temporary plumbing services on construction and maintenance sites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA): Performance requirements and technical provisions for plumbing and drainage installations
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage series: Technical standards for water services, sanitary plumbing and drainage, and stormwater drainage
• AS/NZS 2845 Water supply – Backflow prevention devices: Requirements for selection, installation and testing of backflow prevention devices
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction Code of Practice: Where work at height is required to install temporary services
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice: Guidance on managing risks associated with construction, including temporary services
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Controls for lifting, carrying and handling pipes, fittings and equipment
• Safe Work Australia – Confined Spaces Code of Practice: Where access to pits, chambers or manholes is required for sewer connections
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for site amenities and essential services
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017