Remote Mining Site Plumbing (FIFO/PHMP) SWMS

Remote and mining site plumbing covers plumbing work at remote sites and mining operations — installing, maintaining and repairing water, sanitary, drainage, hot water and process water systems at remote camps, mine sites and isolated operations far from services and emergency response. The plumbing work is conventional, but the remote and mining setting brings its own considerations: the isolation and distance from emergency services, the site's own safety, induction and permit systems, the harsh environment, and the integration with mining operations and process water. This document is written on the basis that remote and mining site plumbing is carried out by a licensed plumber under the site's safety systems, with the isolation, emergency, environment and site-integration controls in place.

Remote and mining site plumbing is carried out to the relevant parts of AS/NZS 3500, under the mine or site's safety management system and its induction, permit and emergency systems, which govern work on the site. The isolation from emergency services, the harsh environment, the site hazards, and the integration with mining operations and process water are heightened considerations. This document coordinates the isolation, emergency, site-systems, environment and integration controls so the plumbing work is carried out safely at the remote or mining site.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Administrative: work under the mine or site's safety management system and its induction, permit and emergency systems, complying with the site requirements and the emergency arrangements for the remote location.
2. 2Administrative: recognise and plan for the isolation and distance from emergency services, with the site's emergency response and communication arrangements in place.
3. 3Administrative: integrate with and be protected from mining operations, plant and site hazards, and coordinate the work with site operations.
4. 4Administrative: apply the confined space and excavation controls where the site plumbing involves confined spaces or excavation, with the relevant permits and a SWMS.
5. 5Engineering: manage process and contaminated water systems with the chemical and contamination controls, and protect the site drinking water supply with backflow protection.
6. 6Administrative: manage the biological hazard with hygiene controls, washing facilities, gloves and protective clothing, and prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking until decontaminated.
7. 7Engineering: manage the harsh environment and heat, isolate and manage hot water so it does not scald, and apply the site's environmental controls.
8. 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 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 carry out plumbing work at a remote mine site. The work is carried out under the mine's safety management system and its induction, permit and emergency systems, complying with the site requirements and the emergency arrangements for the remote location. The isolation and distance from emergency services are recognised and planned for, with the site's emergency response and communication arrangements in place. The work is integrated with and protected from mining operations, plant and site hazards, and coordinated with site operations. The confined space and excavation controls are applied where the site plumbing involves them, with the relevant permits and a SWMS. Process and contaminated water systems are managed with the chemical and contamination controls, and the site drinking water supply protected with backflow protection. The biological hazard is managed, the harsh environment and heat managed, and hot water isolated so it does not scald. The work is completed safely, 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 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 AS 4032 valve standards, and the hazardous chemicals and electrical requirements, are called up by the state and territory plumbing, gas and safety legislation, together with the relevant network utility, healthcare and site requirements.
• Plumbing 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 and electrical provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions