Roof Plumbing and Stormwater — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for the installation, repair, and maintenance of roof plumbing systems including gutters, downpipes, fascia, valley irons, and stormwater drainage connections.
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Roof plumbing and stormwater work is classified as HRCW under Schedule 3 of the model WHS Regulations because it involves working at height with a risk of falling more than 2 metres — virtually all residential and commercial gutter and downpipe work meets this threshold. A SWMS is mandatory before this work commences, and fall prevention must be addressed through the hierarchy of controls. The Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces is the primary reference.
Roof plumbing is a licensed trade in all Australian states and territories. A roof plumber must hold a current plumbing licence with a roof plumbing endorsement or equivalent classification. In Victoria, roof plumbing is a specific class of plumber's licence regulated by the Victorian Building Authority; equivalent arrangements apply in other states. All roof plumbing work must comply with AS 3500.3 (Stormwater drainage) and AS 1562.1 (Sheet roof and wall cladding — Metal) for metal rainwater goods, and must be inspected and certified under the relevant state plumbing compliance regime.
Fall prevention for roof plumbers typically involves portable scaffolding or EWPs for eave-height guttering, and travel restraint using roof anchor points per AS/NZS 5532 for work at greater heights. On older buildings with fibro or asbestos cement eave linings and fascias, an asbestos inspection must be completed before any drilling, cutting, or removal — disturbing ACM in fascia boards or eave linings requires appropriate respiratory protection and decontamination procedures.
Sheet metal rainwater goods — valley irons, flashings, and cappings — have sharp cut edges and present laceration risk. Cut-resistant gloves rated to AS/NZS 2161.3 are essential for handling cut metal sheet. Large sections of sheet metal in wind are also a manual handling and stability hazard that must be addressed in the SWMS.
Customise this template with the licence details, the fall prevention system and anchor point certifications, any asbestos inspection results for the eaves and fascia, and the stormwater connection point details. This SWMS applies in all Australian states and territories.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work involving risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
- •Work near energised overhead power lines
Risk Assessment
1.Setting Up Safe Roof Access
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls from roof edge during access and egress | Catastrophic | Before any worker accesses the roof, install a temporary anchor point (AS/NZS 1891.4 rated) at the ridge or peak of the roof slope. Workers clip on harness and lanyard to the anchor immediately on reaching roof level — before moving away from the ladder top. Use a ladder standoff to ensure the ladder extends at least 1 m above the gutter. For roofs above 6 m height, a scaffolding edge protection system or perimeter netting must be installed. Inspect roof surface for wet, moss, or unstable material before each access. | Moderate | Licensed Roof Plumber / Site Supervisor |
| Electrocution or arc flash from proximity to overhead power lines | Catastrophic | Before erecting any ladder or accessing the roof, identify all overhead power lines within 4 m of the work area. If lines are within the minimum approach distance (refer to state-specific electrical safety legislation — generally 3 m for low voltage), contact the distribution network operator to arrange de-energisation or erection of insulated line covers before work begins. Do not proceed until written clearance is issued by the network operator. | Low | Licensed Roof Plumber / Network Operator |
2.Guttering Installation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuts from sharp metal gutter and sheet metal edges | Moderate | Workers handling sheet metal guttering and fascia must wear cut-resistant gloves rated to Level C or above. De-burr all cut edges immediately after cutting using a metal file or deburring tool. Stack cut sections with exposed edges facing away from workers in the work zone. Dispose of metal offcuts and swarf into a designated bin — never leave on roof or at ground level where they may be stepped on. | Low | Licensed Roof Plumber / All Workers |
3.Downpipe and Stormwater Connection
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls from ladder during downpipe installation at height | High | Use a ladder with a rated load capacity exceeding worker weight plus tool weight. Secure ladder top to the fascia or gutter bracket using a ladder standoff — never lean directly on the guttering. Maintain three points of contact at all times when on the ladder. Tools and fittings must be in a tool belt or tool bag — never held in one hand while climbing. If both hands are needed for the work, use a scaffolding system or MEWP rather than a ladder. | Low | Licensed Roof Plumber |
4.Valley Iron and Flashing Work
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof tile dislodgement causing falls and falling object injury | High | When working near terracotta or concrete tiles, only step on tile battens or use a roof hook ladder (chicken ladder) to distribute weight across multiple tiles. Never stand or kneel directly on individual tiles. Inspect the valley area for cracked or loose tiles before commencing valley iron removal or installation. Secure dislodged tiles immediately or barricade the area below until repairs are complete. Hard hats mandatory for all workers below the active work area. | Moderate | Licensed Roof Plumber / Site Supervisor |
5.Work Completion and Site Clean-Up
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public injury from tools or material left on roof falling to ground | High | Before descending from the roof at the end of each work session, conduct a full sweep of the entire roof surface to retrieve all tools, offcuts, screws, and materials. Tools must be transported in a tool bag — never slid or thrown from the roof. Establish an exclusion zone on the ground below the work area using barriers and 'OVERHEAD WORK — KEEP CLEAR' signs. Remove barriers only after the roof has been cleared and workers have fully descended. | Low | Licensed Roof Plumber / Site Supervisor |
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.