Gas Meter Installation — Domestic & Commercial SWMS
Safe work method statement for the installation and commissioning of domestic and commercial gas meters including network isolation, purging, and gas network operator permit compliance.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Gas meter installation covers the installation and replacement of gas meters and meter assemblies that measure the gas supplied to a property — the meter, the regulator, the isolation valve and the connection between the supply and the consumer piping. It is licensed gasfitting work carried out at the boundary between the network and the consumer installation, and it carries the hazards of working with a live gas supply, the potential for a gas leak at the connection, ignition during the work, and the manual handling of the meter assembly. This document is written on the basis that gas meters are installed by a licensed gasfitter in accordance with the gas network and the gas installation standard, with the supply isolated and made safe and the connection leak tested.
Gas meter assemblies are installed to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Gas installations Part 1: General installations and the requirements of the gas network distributor, which govern the meter, regulator and connection at the boundary of the consumer installation. The work involves isolating and reconnecting a live gas supply, with the leak and pressure testing the standard requires before the supply is restored. The defining hazards are the escaping gas and the ignition risk during the work. This document coordinates the gas-standard, isolation, ignition-control and leak-testing controls so the meter is installed and the supply restored safely.
Hazards identified
9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Fire, explosion or asphyxiation from escaping gas at the connection
Gas release and exposure during isolation and reconnection
Flash fire or explosion from an ignition source during the work
Over-pressure, leak or supply error from incorrect installation
Pressure release during isolation and connection of the assembly
Asphyxiation or explosion where gas accumulates in an enclosed location
Musculoskeletal injury from the meter and assembly
Electrical hazard where bonding and earthing are not correctly managed
Restricted access and gas accumulation in a confined meter location
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Administrative: install or replace the gas meter in accordance with the gas network distributor's requirements and AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, isolating and making the supply safe before the work and controlling the escaping gas.
- 2Engineering: install the meter, regulator, isolation valve and connection to the standard, with correct regulation and the assembly suitable for the gas and the load.
- 3Administrative: control all ignition sources during the work — no naked flames, no electrical switching, and control of static — and use a gas detector or approved leak-detection fluid rather than a flame for leak finding.
- 4Administrative: leak test and pressure test the connection to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 before the supply is restored, confirming it is gas-tight, and recommission the supply.
- 5Engineering: manage the stored pressure of the supply and assembly, ventilate any enclosed meter location, and confirm the meter location does not allow gas to accumulate.
- 6Administrative: manage the electrical bonding and earthing at the meter as required, coordinating with a licensed electrician where electrical work is involved.
- 7Engineering: use correct manual-handling technique or aids for the meter and assembly, and apply the confined space controls where the meter location meets the confined space definition.
- 8Administrative: ensure the work is carried out and certified by an appropriately licensed plumber or gasfitter under the relevant state or territory plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with a compliance certificate issued where required.
- 9Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001) before entering any construction workplace, with the plumbing, gasfitting and any confined space competencies and licences required for the work.
- 10Administrative: conduct a daily pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, isolations, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
- 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.
- 12PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
- 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
The prevailing gas installation standard for the meter, regulator, connection, leak testing and recommissioning.
Atmospheric testing, ventilation, entry permit and rescue controls where the work involves entry into a confined space.
Electrical safety and isolation for any electrical work, carried out by a licensed electrician.
Requirements where the meter is on an LP Gas installation.
The risk management process and hierarchy of controls applied to the hazards of the work.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Where the gas meter is located in a confined or restricted location in which gas can accumulate, the work is high risk construction work requiring a SWMS before the work commences.
This is licensed plumbing or gasfitting work that, in the circumstances described, is high risk construction work — in or near a confined space — so a SWMS must be prepared before the work commences, kept readily accessible, reviewed as necessary, and given to the principal contractor if one is appointed. The work is carried out to the relevant AS/NZS 3500 plumbing and drainage standards and, where gas is involved, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, which are called up by the state and territory plumbing and gas safety legislation, with the excavation, confined space or work-at-height controls applied as relevant. A failure in this work can cause serious injury or harm to the water supply or the public, and breaches of the plumbing and gas legislation and the primary duty of care under the model WHS Act are actively enforced, with offence categories running from failure-to-comply through to reckless conduct, and the most serious breaches carrying imprisonment for individuals. Body-corporate maxima are substantial and indexed; the current maximum follows the prevailing schedule of the responsible regulator.
Who this is for
- →Licensed gasfitters installing and replacing gas meters.
- →Gas network and contractor crews installing meter assemblies.
- →Plumbing and gasfitting businesses carrying out meter work.
- →Property owners and PCBUs requiring a gas meter installed.
- →PCBU safety managers and supervisors coordinating the isolation, ignition-control and leak-testing controls.
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word document (.docx) fully compatible with Microsoft Word 2016 and newer, Google Docs, and LibreOffice Writer.
- ✓Title page with editable fields for PCBU name, ABN, site address, project name, principal contractor details, and document revision date.
- ✓Hazard register with the gas meter installation hazards — each with a documented consequence, inherent risk rating on a 5x5 likelihood-consequence matrix, hierarchy-of-control measures, and residual risk rating.
- ✓Gas meter installation prompts referencing AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 and the gas network requirements, an isolation and ignition-control section, a leak-test and recommissioning record, and a bonding and confined-location section.
- ✓Licensing and compliance-certificate prompts for the relevant plumbing and gasfitting scheme, and a respiratory protection selection and fit-test record per AS/NZS 1715 where relevant.
- ✓Worker consultation record per the model WHS Act consultation duty and a worker sign-on register (blank, expandable).
- ✓Applicable legislation and Codes of Practice schedule pre-populated for the model WHS jurisdiction with a state-variance reference table covering the harmonised states, plus Victoria.
- ✓Emergency procedure template and a revision log.
Worked example
A licensed gasfitter is engaged to replace a gas meter at a property, coordinating with the gas network distributor. The supply is isolated and made safe before the work, controlling the escaping gas, and the meter, regulator, isolation valve and connection are installed to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 with correct regulation and the assembly suitable for the gas and load. All ignition sources are controlled during the work — no naked flames, no electrical switching, static controlled. The meter location is ventilated and confirmed not to allow gas to accumulate, and the electrical bonding and earthing at the meter are managed as required. The connection is leak tested and pressure tested before the supply is restored, with a gas detector used for leak finding rather than a flame, and the supply is recommissioned. Where the meter location is restricted, the confined space controls apply. The gasfitter issues the compliance documentation and retains the test records.
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 and asbestos provisions where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
- The relevant plumbing and drainage standards AS/NZS 3500 (Parts 0–5), AS/NZS 1547 for on-site wastewater, and, for gas, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 and AS/NZS 1596, are called up by the state and territory plumbing and gas safety legislation, together with the requirements of the relevant network utility or authority.
- Plumbing and gasfitting work is licensed under each state and territory's plumbing and gasfitting licensing scheme, with compliance certification required for notifiable work; electrical work is carried out by a licensed electrician and refrigerant work by a licensed refrigeration technician.
- 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 asbestos provisions applying in place of the model instruments.
Frequently asked questions
Who can install a gas meter?
Gas meter installation is licensed gasfitting work carried out by a licensed gasfitter in accordance with the gas network distributor's requirements and AS/NZS 5601.1:2022. Because the work involves isolating and reconnecting a live gas supply with a leak and ignition risk, it is reserved to a licensed practitioner and the connection is leak tested before the supply is restored.
What standard applies to gas meter installation?
Gas meters are installed to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, the prevailing gas installation standard, together with the requirements of the gas network distributor, which govern the meter, regulator and connection at the boundary of the consumer installation. The standard sets the installation, leak testing and recommissioning requirements for the meter assembly.
Is the connection leak tested?
Yes. The connection is leak tested and pressure tested to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 before the gas supply is restored, confirming it is gas-tight, and the supply is then recommissioned. Leak finding is carried out with a gas detector or approved leak-detection fluid rather than a naked flame, with all ignition sources controlled during the work.
What ignition controls apply to gas meter work?
All ignition sources are controlled during the work — no naked flames, no electrical switching, and control of static — because the work involves a live gas supply that can escape during isolation and connection. Leak finding uses a gas detector rather than a flame, and any enclosed meter location is ventilated so gas cannot accumulate and be ignited.
Why does bonding and earthing matter at the meter?
Electrical bonding and earthing at the gas meter are managed as required to control the electrical hazard, coordinating with a licensed electrician where electrical work is involved. Correct bonding and earthing at the meter is part of installing the assembly safely, alongside the gas isolation, ignition-control and leak-testing requirements.