Alpine Plumbing — Frozen Pipe Recovery SWMS

Alpine and frozen pipe plumbing covers plumbing work in alpine and cold environments and the thawing and repair of frozen pipes — installing and maintaining plumbing in cold-climate and alpine areas where freezing is a hazard, and responding to and repairing pipes that have frozen and may have burst. It combines the plumbing work with the cold-environment considerations: the cold itself, the ice and slip hazards, the frozen and burst pipes, the thawing of frozen pipes, and the cold-climate design to prevent freezing. This document is written on the basis that alpine and frozen pipe plumbing is carried out by a licensed plumber with the cold-environment, ice, frozen-pipe and thawing controls in place.

Alpine and frozen pipe plumbing is carried out to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500, with cold-climate design and insulation to prevent freezing, the thawing of frozen pipes carried out safely, and the cold-environment hazards managed. The cold and freezing, the ice and slip hazards, the frozen and burst pipes, and the thawing are the considerations. This document coordinates the cold-environment, ice, frozen-pipe and thawing controls so the alpine and frozen pipe plumbing is carried out safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Administrative: manage the cold and exposure with appropriate clothing, warmth, rest and limiting exposure, recognising cold injury and exposure in the alpine environment.
2. 2Engineering: manage ice and slip hazards with footing, ice management and care on icy surfaces, and provide fall prevention for work at height compounded by ice.
3. 3Engineering: design and insulate cold-climate plumbing to prevent freezing — insulation, heat tracing, drainage and frost protection — to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500.
4. 4Administrative: thaw frozen pipes by a safe method — not a naked flame or excessive heat that could cause fire or damage — and manage the pressure and water release when the frozen pipe thaws.
5. 5Administrative: never use a naked flame or excessive heat to thaw a pipe, controlling the fire hazard, and isolate the water before thawing where a pipe may have burst.
6. 6Administrative: manage the reduced capacity from the cold, and the remote and alpine access and emergency-response considerations.
7. 7Engineering: repair frozen and burst pipes and confirm the system on completion.
8. 8Administrative: ensure the work is carried out and certified by an appropriately licensed plumber, drainer or gasfitter under the relevant state or territory plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with the relevant competencies and a compliance certificate issued where required.
9. 9Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001) where the work is construction work, with the plumbing, gasfitting, confined space and any other competencies required for the work.
10. 10Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, isolations, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
11. 11Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
12. 12PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, high-visibility clothing, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
13. 13Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

A licensed plumber is engaged to repair frozen and burst pipes and install frost protection at an alpine property. The cold and exposure are managed with appropriate clothing, warmth, rest and limiting exposure. Ice and slip hazards are managed with footing and care on icy surfaces, and fall prevention provided for work at height compounded by ice. The cold-climate plumbing is designed and insulated to prevent freezing — insulation, heat tracing, drainage and frost protection — to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500. The frozen pipes are thawed by a safe method — not a naked flame or excessive heat that could cause fire or damage — with the water isolated before thawing where a pipe may have burst, and the pressure and water release when the pipe thaws managed. A naked flame or excessive heat is never used to thaw a pipe. The reduced capacity from the cold and the remote alpine access are managed. The frozen and burst pipes are repaired and the system confirmed on completion, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — Section 291 high risk construction work and the SWMS preparation and review duties, and the confined space, excavation, demolition and electrical provisions where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The relevant plumbing and drainage standards AS/NZS 3500 (Parts 0–5), AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 for gas, the pressure piping and pressure equipment standards, the AS 4032 valve standards, and the hazardous chemicals, demolition and asbestos requirements, are called up by the relevant legislation, together with the relevant network utility, insurer and site requirements.
• Plumbing, drainage and gasfitting work is licensed under each state and territory's plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with the relevant competencies for the specialist work, and compliance certification required for notifiable work; electrical work is carried out by a licensed electrician.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the high risk construction work, confined space, excavation and demolition provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions