Bathroom Renovation — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for residential bathroom renovations covering strip-out of tiles, fixtures and linings, plumbing and electrical rough-in, re-sheeting, waterproofing, tiling and fit-off in a small, often occupied space.
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Most bathroom renovations in Australian homes built before 1990 run into asbestos. Wet area wall sheeting behind the tiles, the floor sheeting, the eaves and even the backing on old vinyl were commonly asbestos cement, and breaking out tiles fixed to that sheet is a classic way to expose yourself and the household. Disturbing material that contains or is likely to contain asbestos is High Risk Construction Work, so the first step is to inspect and test before demolition. Electrical work near circuits that are still live is also HRCW. Where the house is newer and services are isolated, a SWMS may not be legally required, but builders and insurers often still want one.
The strip-out is where most of the injuries happen. Breaking out tiles and mortar beds generates silica dust and sharp debris, cast iron baths can weigh well over 100 kg, and the room is usually too small for two people to lift safely. Cut a heavy bath into pieces only if you have the right tool and controls, or plan a mechanical lift. Work in a small room means poor ventilation, so dust and chemical vapour build up quickly; set up extraction or forced ventilation to outside and keep the door sealed to the rest of the house.
Bathrooms combine water and electricity. Only a licensed electrician should disconnect lights, fans, heaters and power points, and wet areas have specific zone requirements under AS/NZS 3000. Only a licensed plumber should alter drainage and water supply. The waterproofing and tiling stages are covered by their own templates on this site; this SWMS covers the whole renovation sequence and the handovers between trades, which is where gaps in control usually appear.
Many people still live in the house during a bathroom job. Keep a working toilet available where you can, protect the path from the front door to the bathroom, and make sure children cannot reach demolition debris or open floor penetrations.
Customise this template with the house age and asbestos test results, who isolates power and water and when, the bath and fixture removal method, the ventilation arrangement, the order of trades and inspections (including waterproofing sign-off), protection of the occupied areas, and where waste is stored before removal.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work that involves, or is likely to involve, disturbing asbestos
- •Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
Risk Assessment
1.Asbestos inspection and set-up of the work area
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breaking out tiles fixed to asbestos cement sheet | Catastrophic | Sample wall, floor and ceiling sheeting before any demolition in homes built before 1990. If asbestos is present, a licensed removalist removes it where required by licence class, with air monitoring and clearance before other trades start. Never break tiles off suspected asbestos sheet with a hammer or grinder. | Low | Builder / Asbestos Removalist |
| Dust spreading into the occupied house | Moderate | Seal the doorway with plastic and zip door. Cover the path to the exit. Extraction fan or window fan exhausting outside. | Low | Builder |
2.Isolation of electrical and plumbing services
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shock from lights, fans, heat lamps and GPOs | Catastrophic | Licensed electrician isolates, tests and tags circuits and makes cables safe before strip-out. Temporary lighting from a separate RCD-protected circuit. | Low | Electrician |
| Water damage and sewer gas from open pipes | Moderate | Plumber isolates water and caps lines. Drains plugged or capped when not in use to stop sewer gas and debris entering. | Low | Plumber |
3.Strip-out of fixtures, tiles and mortar beds
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silica dust from breaking out tiles and mortar | High | Wet the surface before breaking out. Use a demolition hammer with dust extraction where available. P2 respirator minimum, fitted and checked. Vacuum with an H-class vacuum, no dry sweeping. | Moderate | Labourer / Tiler |
| Back injury removing heavy baths, vanities and toilet suites | High | Assess the bath weight first; cast iron baths need a planned removal with enough people, a trolley and a clear path, or are broken up under controls. Disconnect and drain fixtures before lifting. | Moderate | Labourer / Builder |
| Cuts from broken tiles, glass shower screens and mirrors | High | Remove shower screens and mirrors first, taped, with cut-resistant gloves. Toughened glass can shatter without warning, so wear eye protection. Bag sharp waste in rigid containers. | Low | Labourer |
4.Plumbing and electrical rough-in
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical work in wet area zones not meeting the wiring rules | High | Only a licensed electrician installs and relocates outlets, lights and heaters, to AS/NZS 3000 wet area requirements. RCD protection on all circuits. | Low | Electrician |
| Burns and fumes from soldering and solvent cement | Moderate | Ventilate the room. Hot-work precautions with an extinguisher on hand when brazing near timber. Read the SDS for PVC primer and cement and keep lids on. | Low | Plumber |
5.Re-sheeting walls and floors
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silica dust from cutting fibre cement sheet | High | Score and snap or use shears where possible. If sawing, use a saw with dust extraction outside the house. P2 respirator. Never dry-cut with an angle grinder. | Low | Carpenter |
6.Waterproofing and tiling (see dedicated SWMS)
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical vapour build-up in a small, closed room | High | Follow the waterproofing and tiling SWMS. Forced ventilation to outside during application and curing. Organic vapour respirator for solvent, PU or epoxy products. | Moderate | Waterproofer / Tiler |
7.Fit-off, testing and handover
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed fingers and dropped items fitting screens, vanities and mirrors | Moderate | Two people to place shower screens and large mirrors. Use suction cups for glass. Support vanities until fixed. | Low | Installer |
| Electrical fault after reconnection | High | Electrician tests circuits, RCDs and fittings and issues a compliance certificate before the room is used. | Low | Electrician |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.