Annual Hot Water Anode Replacement SWMS

Hot water anode replacement covers the inspection and replacement of the sacrificial anode in a storage hot water tank — the consumable rod that corrodes in place of the tank to protect it from corrosion and extend its life. Replacing the anode at the right interval is a maintenance task that prevents premature tank failure, and it carries the hazards of working with a hot water system under stored pressure and temperature, the manual handling involved in accessing and removing the anode, and the hot water released during the work. This document is written on the basis that anode replacement is carried out by a licensed plumber, with the system isolated and the stored energy managed.

Hot water anode replacement is maintenance carried out in connection with AS/NZS 3500.4, the heated water services part of the plumbing and drainage standard. The work involves isolating the hot water system, managing the stored pressure and hot water, and removing and replacing the sacrificial anode, with the relief valve and the heated water controls confirmed. This document coordinates the isolation, stored-energy, hot-water and scalding controls so the anode is replaced and the system returned to service safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Administrative: isolate the hot water system and manage the stored pressure and hot water before the work, draining or relieving as required so hot water is not released uncontrolled.
2. 2Engineering: remove and replace the sacrificial anode with the correct anode, and reinstate the seal so the tank does not leak, in connection with AS/NZS 3500.4.
3. 3Engineering: manage the hot water and steam release during the work, controlling the discharge so it does not scald, and allow hot water to cool where required.
4. 4Engineering: use correct manual-handling technique or aids to access and remove a seized or heavy anode.
5. 5Administrative: restore the tank temperature after the work so the system controls Legionella, and confirm the relief valve and heated water controls.
6. 6Engineering: where the tank is roof-mounted or elevated, provide fall prevention for the work at height.
7. 7Administrative: confirm the anode and seal are correct, and verify the system is leak-free and operating before it is returned to service.
8. 8Administrative: ensure the work is carried out and certified by an appropriately licensed plumber under the relevant state or territory plumbing licensing scheme, with the backflow, testing or other endorsement required and a compliance or test 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 competencies and any backflow, confined space or testing endorsements 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, 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 inspect and replace the sacrificial anode in a storage hot water tank to extend its life. The hot water system is isolated and the stored pressure and hot water managed before the work, draining and relieving as required so hot water is not released uncontrolled. The anode is removed and replaced with the correct anode, and the seal reinstated so the tank does not leak, in connection with AS/NZS 3500.4. The hot water and steam release during the work is managed, with the discharge controlled and hot water allowed to cool where required, and the plumber uses correct technique to remove the seized anode. The tank temperature is restored after the work so the system controls Legionella, and the relief valve and heated water controls confirmed. The system is verified leak-free and operating before return to service. The plumber records the work and retains the 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 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, the AS 4032 and AS 1357 valve standards, AS/NZS 2845.3 for backflow field testing, and AS 1851 for fire-system service, are called up by the state and territory plumbing and building safety legislation, together with the requirements of the relevant network utility.
• Plumbing work is licensed under each state and territory's plumbing licensing scheme, with backflow and testing accreditation required for that work, and compliance or test 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 and confined space provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions