Plumbing & Gas SWMS Templates

Plumbing and gasfitting work on construction sites sits at the intersection of trade licensing requirements and WHS high-risk work obligations. Where plumbing or gas work is performed as part of a construction project, the broader construction site SWMS requirements under WHS Regulation Part 6.1 apply, in addition to the licensing conditions under state plumbing and gas legislation.

Work covered by this category includes installation of hot and cold water supply systems, sanitary drainage and sewer connections, stormwater and roof drainage, gas service installations, Type A gas appliance connections, and LPG bulk storage and reticulation.

All plumbing and draining work must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed plumber and drainer. Gas work must be performed by a licensed gasfitter — in most states a separate endorsement on the plumbing licence. Type A gas appliances (which include most commercial cooking and heating equipment) may only be connected by a licensed gasfitter. Roof plumbing may require a separate roof plumbing licence category in some jurisdictions.

The SWMS must address specific hazards including working in confined roof and subfloor spaces, pressure testing hazards, isolation of gas supplies and the gas isolation permit procedure, the presence of asbestos in pre-2003 pipe insulation, and the management of hot works when soldering or brazing copper fittings. Compliance plates and certificates of compliance must be documented in the SWMS workflow.