Toilet Suite Replacement SWMS

Toilet suite replacement covers the removal of an existing toilet suite and the installation of a replacement — disconnecting and removing the old pan and cistern, and installing and connecting the new suite to the water supply and the sanitary drainage. It is routine plumbing work that carries the hazards of working on the sanitary drainage with its biological hazards, the manual handling of the heavy ceramic suite, the water release and water-supply protection, and the consequences of an incorrect connection such as leaks or foul air. This document is written on the basis that toilet suite replacement is carried out by a licensed plumber, with the water and drainage connections made correctly and the suite sealed to the drainage.

Toilet suite replacement is carried out in connection with AS/NZS 3500.1 for the water supply and cistern connection and AS/NZS 3500.2 for the sanitary connection to the drainage, with the pan connector and seal so the suite is sealed to the drainage and foul air is excluded. The work involves disconnecting and removing the old suite, handling the heavy ceramic, and connecting and sealing the new suite. This document coordinates the water, drainage, biological and manual-handling controls so the suite is replaced correctly and sealed.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Administrative: isolate the water supply and manage the drainage before the work, and connect the new suite in connection with AS/NZS 3500.1 for the water and AS/NZS 3500.2 for the sanitary drainage.
2. 2Engineering: seal the suite to the drainage with the pan connector and seal so foul air is excluded and the connection does not leak.
3. 3Administrative: manage the biological hazard when disconnecting the drainage with hygiene controls, gloves and washing facilities, and prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking until decontaminated.
4. 4Engineering: use team or mechanical lifting for the heavy ceramic pan and cistern, controlling the manual-handling and crush hazard, and protect the ceramic against breakage.
5. 5Engineering: protect the cistern supply with the appropriate connection and backflow protection where required, and manage the water release during the work.
6. 6Engineering: control foul air from the open drainage during the work, sealing the open drainage where the suite is removed.
7. 7Administrative: confirm the connection and seal, and test the suite for leaks, correct flush and no foul air before completion.
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 replace a toilet suite at a property. The water supply is isolated and the drainage managed before the work, and the new suite connected in connection with AS/NZS 3500.1 for the water and AS/NZS 3500.2 for the sanitary drainage. The old suite is disconnected and removed, with the biological hazard managed using hygiene controls, gloves and washing facilities, and no eating or drinking until decontaminated, and the open drainage sealed and foul air controlled while the suite is off. The heavy ceramic pan and cistern are handled using team lifting, controlling the crush hazard, and protected against breakage. The new suite is sealed to the drainage with the pan connector and seal so foul air is excluded and the connection does not leak, and the cistern supply protected with the appropriate connection. The connection and seal are confirmed, and the suite tested for leaks, correct flush and no foul air before completion. The plumber confirms the suite is replaced 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