Plumbing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

People often ask, “Can I have a Safe Work Method Statement for Plumbing?” “A document that covers everything?”  The answer is not really.  Well, you could create a document that covers most areas of plumbing work, but it would be hundreds of pages long and would contain more items that did not apply to your project, than items that did. 

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) needs to document step by step how you are going to do a particular job. Not all jobs are the same! Are you going to excavate and install sewer pipes, or are you going to replace an electric Hot Water Service?

The steps in undertaking each of these tasks are very different. Not only are the steps different, but the potential hazards and the hazard control measures are very different as well.

Plastic pipes are widely used in domestic hot and cold water supply and central heating systems.

Danger Zone: Unveiling the Hazards Lurking in Plumbing Work

PVC Solvent cement is a hazardous substance. Always read the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment and follow safety protocols when operating a core drill to prevent accidents and ensure safe drilling.
Working in an open trench usually has restricted access and egress, with the potential of a ground collapse you need to have a plan in place.

Plumbers encounter various safety hazards while performing their essential work.

Exposure to Hazardous Substances

  • Chemicals: Such as cleaning agents, solvents, and adhesives.
  • Lead: Found in old pipes and fittings.
  • Mold: Present in damp environments.
  • Asbestos: Especially in older buildings.
  • Raw Sewage: A potential health risk.
  • Sulphur Dioxide: Released from certain plumbing processes.

Slips, Trips, and Falls:

Wet working conditions, leaks, and uneven surfaces can lead to slips and falls.

Hearing Loss:

Loud noises from tools, pipes, and machinery can cause hearing damage over time.

Cuts and Fractures:

Working with plumbing equipment and power tools poses a risk of cuts, fractures, and broken bones.

Electric Shock:

Contact with metal pipes or faulty electrical connections can result in electric shock.

Burns:

Hot water, steam lines, and power tools can cause burns.

Musculoskeletal Injuries:

Repetitive movements and working in tight spaces can lead to tendonitis, strains, and other injuries.

Ground Collapse:

Working in open trenches can result in entrapment due to ground collapses. 

Under the WHS act you must prepare a SWMS for High-Risk Construction Work. 

There are 18 high risk construction work activities defined in the WHS Regulations.

When undertaking Plumbing work common high-risk activities include:

  • Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
  • Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
  • Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
  • Likely to involve disturbing asbestos
  •  Work on or near pressirised gas mains or piping

A SWMS provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to perform a task safely.

It ensures that everyone involved understands the necessary steps, reducing the likelihood of accidents due to confusion or misunderstanding.
 
The JSEAsy Safety Management Software builds your site-specific SWMS for your plumbing job by adding templates of the steps you are going to take, in the order in which you are going to take them.
 

Watch a detailed demonstration video on how to create a new site-specific SWMS using existing templates.

Making SWMS has never been easier, just pick your job steps and the JSEAsy safety management software does all the hard work for you.

Completing the plumbing final fit off involves installing fixtures and ensuring all connections are secure for proper functionality.
This is an extract of an example Full SWMS Report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

JSEA/ SWMS Example

Below is an example of templates you may insert into your site-specific SWMS for a typical residential project for a builder, to Install underfloor plumbing and drains.

  1. Undertake Clients general all sites induction
  2. Arrive at domestic site with truck and trailer and establish unloading area
  3. Claim Work Area
  4. Unload skid steer excavator from trailer/ truck using aluminium ramps
  5. Acceptance of delivery to site for materials
  6. Marking Out Ground
  7. Safety check and operation of Excavator for trenching and excavations
  8. Dig/ clean trench by hand
  9. Installation of UPVC Pipe
  10. Dig final connection trench using an excavator to connect sewer drain to government connection
  11. Working in open trench
  12. Cut into existing earthenware branch using and angle grinder
  13. Connect pipes together using a flexible connector
  14. Back Fill trench using excavator with original spoil
  15. Back Fill trench by hand with original spoil
  16. Load skid steer excavator onto truck/ trailer using aluminium ramps
  17. Cleaning up work area
  18. Clean street and footpath
  19. Sweeping the road and footpath
  20. Monitoring and Review of SWMS
JSEAsy award winning Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Automating the process

When you insert a template using the JSEAsy EHS Software, it automatically brings with it:

  1. The main process step
  2. The sub process steps associated in undertaking the task
    1. The potential hazards associated with undertaking the task (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    2. The Risk Rating for undertaking the task (You can also change this if you want to)
    3. The Hazard Control measure (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    4. The revised risk rating after applying the control (You can also change this if you want to)
    5. Any required PPE (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    6. Any applicable licences or qualifications required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    7. Any preoperational inspections required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    8. Any applicable legislation or codes of practice (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)

Creating Site-Specific SWMS Reports with JSEAsy Safety Management Software

Creating a site-specific SWMS is easy using JSEAsy . Once created, you can print/ save a pdf of either a full or simplified SWMS report. 

Download an example of a full SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

Download an example of a simplified SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

The JSEAsy software comes preloaded with hundreds of templates (job steps) to build your site-specific SWMS with.

Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) and Plant and Equipment Risk Assessments (PERA) are also included in all versions.

The JSEAsy Premium EHS Software is your total WHS management system.

The JSEAsy safety management software is available for download and install on a PC, or hosted in the cloud

Insulated water pipes help prevent heat loss and maintain water temperature during transit.
Geothermal underfloor heating utilizes renewable energy from the ground to provide efficient and sustainable heating for buildings.

JSEAsy Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Process: Click the Links below to learn more about JSEAsy Safety Management Software and the process.

View an Infographic about How JSEAsy Software works.

See the different versions of the JSEAsy software.

When you buy or Rent JSEAsy you have access to all of the latest version SWMS templates, for all trades and industries.

Download the JSEAsy latest version SWMS template register.

This is a register sorted by industry type and industry specific of all of the SWMS templates included in the latest version of the JSEAsy Safety Management Software.

Save time and Money!

Hundreds of templates included – 1 low price – Exceptional value!

When you buy or rent the JSEAsy Safety Management Software, not only to get all of the templates specifically for plumbing work but you also get all of the templates for all of the other industries and trades as well. Plumbers don’t just unblock sewer drains!

You will also benefit from many of the Truck, Civil, and other building trades templates.

Order Now!
Thousands of SWMS templates included in the JSEAsy SWMS software.

A list of all the templates included in all versions of the JSEAsy EHS software is shown below.

  • You can search by scrolling through the list of all templates.
  • You can apply filters to the list by selecting an Industry Type
  • You can further refine the list by selecting and industry type and an industry specific.
  • You can do key word searches for templates.  If you can’t find what you are looking for try:
    • Shortening the search term. For example, searching for “deliv” would show deliver and deliveries, but if you searched for deliveries, it would exclude deliver.
    • Look for a synonyms/ alternate word for what you are looking for. E.g. tube or pipe

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