Termination & Removal of Existing Services SWMS

Product Description

Termination & Removal of Existing Services SWMS is a professionally developed Safe Work Method Statement for Australian plumbing and construction contractors undertaking the safe isolation, disconnection and removal of existing plumbing and gas services during demolition, refurbishment and redevelopment projects. Supplied in editable Microsoft Word format, this document helps businesses plan, communicate and document safe work procedures while supporting straightforward site-specific customisation before work begins.

Removing existing services requires careful planning to ensure water, gas and associated systems are correctly identified, isolated and made safe before any pipework, fixtures or fittings are disconnected. Activities may involve working with live service risks, gas purging, pipe freezing equipment, manual handling and the use of power, battery and hand tools. This SWMS provides a structured framework for managing these hazards while maintaining consistent WHS documentation throughout the removal process.

Suitable for residential, commercial and industrial projects, the document supports contractors from initial planning and service isolation through to pipe removal, waste management and final housekeeping, helping businesses implement practical safety controls while adapting the document to suit individual project requirements.

Typical Applications

Suitable for projects involving:

• Termination of existing plumbing services.
• Removal of redundant pipework.
• Demolition preparation.
• Commercial refurbishments.
• Building alterations.
• Plumbing upgrades.
• Gas service removal.
• Water service isolation.
• Fixture and fitting removal.

Work Activities Covered

Depending on the selected work method, the SWMS may include:

• Site assessment and access planning.
• Isolation of existing services.
• Lock-out and tagging of isolation points.
• Verification of service isolation.
• Isolation and purging of gas services.
• Use of pipe freezing equipment where applicable.
• Electrical bridging of metallic pipework where required.
• Disconnection and removal of pipework, fixtures and fittings.
• Manual handling of redundant materials.
• Waste removal and housekeeping.

Hazards Addressed

This SWMS addresses hazards commonly associated with terminating and removing existing services, including:

• Live services.
• Flooding.
• Fire and explosion.
• Gas release.
• Electrocution.
• Manual handling injuries.
• Sprains and strains.
• Dust inhalation.
• Eye injuries.
• Cuts and abrasions.
• Burns from pipe freezing equipment.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Property and environmental damage.

Control Measures Included

The document assists businesses by documenting practical control measures such as:

• Identifying and isolating all relevant services before commencing work.
• Applying Do Not Operate tags to isolation valves.
• Verifying service isolation before cutting or disconnecting pipework.
• Purging gas lines with nitrogen where applicable while controlling ignition sources.
• Using competent personnel during gas purging activities.
• Barricading work areas when pipe freezing equipment is in use.
• Installing electrical bridging leads on metallic pipelines where required before disconnection.
• Applying safe manual handling techniques and using mechanical lifting equipment where practicable.
• Maintaining adequate ventilation when removing existing services and using power tools.
• Keeping work areas clean and assuming services remain live until confirmed otherwise.

Plant & Equipment

Depending on the selected work method, plant and equipment may include:

• Power tools.
• Battery tools.
• Hand tools.
• Pipe freezing equipment where applicable.
• Mechanical lifting devices where applicable.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE requirements should be selected to suit the specific task and site conditions. Additional project-specific PPE may be required depending on the services being isolated, removed or made safe.

Document Features

• Fully editable Microsoft Word format.
• Suitable for Australian plumbing and construction projects.
• Logical work sequence from planning through completion.
• Hazard identification and practical control measures.
• Worker responsibilities and competency requirements.
• Easy to customise for individual projects and site conditions.
• Suitable for integration into broader WHS management systems.

Who This SWMS Is For

Suitable for:

• Licensed plumbers.
• Gas fitters.
• Plumbing contractors.
• Commercial maintenance contractors.
• Demolition contractors.
• Principal contractors coordinating service removal works.

Australian WHS Requirements

Termination and removal of existing services should be reviewed before work commences to ensure the SWMS reflects the planned work methods, isolation procedures, service types, equipment and project-specific hazards. Additional controls may be required where gas services, live infrastructure or specialised isolation methods are involved.

Why Choose Tradies Compliance?

Tradies Compliance develops professionally written SWMS templates that are practical, easy to customise and suitable for Australian construction businesses. Delivered in editable Microsoft Word format, our documents help streamline project preparation while supporting consistent WHS management for plumbing alterations, service isolation and demolition preparation.