Pump & Valve Installation SWMS

Pump and valve installation covers the installation and replacement of pumps and valves in plumbing and water systems — booster pumps, circulation pumps, pressure pumps, control valves and isolation valves and their connection into the system. It combines the plumbing with the mechanical and electrical aspects of pump and valve installation, and the hazards include the electrical connection of pumps, the stored pressure and energy of the system, the manual handling of heavy pumps and valves, and the commissioning of the pump and valve. This document is written on the basis that pump and valve installation is carried out by a licensed plumber, with electrical work by a licensed electrician, and the pressure, electrical and manual-handling controls in place.

Pump and valve installation is carried out to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500 for the plumbing connection, with the pump electrical connection by a licensed electrician, and the system isolated and depressurised before the work. The electrical connection, the stored pressure and energy, the manual handling of heavy pumps and valves, and the commissioning are the considerations. This document coordinates the pressure, electrical, manual-handling and commissioning controls so the pump and valve are installed safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Administrative: isolate and depressurise the system before the work, confirming it is isolated, and isolate hot water where the system is heated so it does not scald.
2. 2Administrative: have the pump electrical connection carried out by a licensed electrician with the supply isolated, and not energise the pump without the electrical work complete and safe.
3. 3Engineering: use mechanical lifting and team lifting for the heavy pumps and valves, controlling the crush and manual-handling hazard.
4. 4Engineering: install the pump and valve to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500 with approved materials, protecting the drinking water supply where relevant.
5. 5Engineering: control the pump start-up and system pressure during commissioning, managing the pressure surge and flow, and guard rotating and moving pump parts.
6. 6Administrative: apply the confined space and plant-space controls where the pump or valve is in a confined or plant space.
7. 7Administrative: commission the pump and valve, confirming they operate correctly and the system is leak-free, before the system is returned to service.
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 install a booster pump and control valves in a water system. The system is isolated and depressurised before the work, confirmed isolated, and hot water isolated where the system is heated so it does not scald. The pump electrical connection is carried out by a licensed electrician with the supply isolated, and the pump is not energised without the electrical work complete and safe. The heavy pump and valves are placed using mechanical and team lifting, controlling the crush hazard. The pump and valve are installed to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500 with approved materials, protecting the drinking water supply. The pump start-up and system pressure are controlled during commissioning, managing the pressure surge and flow, and rotating and moving pump parts guarded. Confined space and plant-space controls are applied where relevant. The pump and valve are commissioned, confirmed to operate correctly and the system leak-free, before return to service. The records are 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