COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Risk Management & Hazard Control in Plumbing Operations course. This program is designed to provide you with the skills, systems, and awareness required to identify hazards, manage risks, and implement safe work practices across a wide range of plumbing environments. From residential installations to complex commercial and industrial worksites, plumbing tasks expose workers to numerous risks—such as confined space entry, gas leaks, manual handling, and working at heights.

A structured approach to risk management is not only essential for protecting lives and property—it is a legal obligation under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations. This course empowers participants to apply proactive, practical, and compliant risk control methods across all stages of plumbing work.

This course begins by examining the purpose and scope of risk management in plumbing. Participants will explore the distinction between risk management and hazard control, understand the relevant legal duties under WHS legislation, and recognise the direct link between effective risk management and improved safety, efficiency, and compliance outcomes on site.

Hazard identification is the first step toward prevention. This section covers the broad categories of hazards encountered in plumbing, including task-related risks such as hot work, cutting, or confined spaces; environmental risks such as working at height or around underground services; and chemical or biological hazards including sewage, adhesives, and flammable gases. Participants will learn to recognise these risks before harm occurs.

The risk management process involves four critical steps. Participants will be introduced to the standard WHS framework: identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing controls, and reviewing those controls. Each step is examined in practical terms, with clear expectations for field application and team involvement.

Pre-start site inspections are essential for hazard recognition. This section teaches how to conduct visual checks for unsafe conditions, assess site access and work areas, and use structured checklists to ensure consistency across projects. These inspections form the frontline of hazard control before work begins.

Task Risk Assessments (TRA) are used to break down specific tasks into manageable steps. Participants will learn how to analyse each task, identify hazards at each stage, and assess the likelihood and consequences of potential incidents. This enables more precise control strategies and team-based risk awareness.

Risk assessment depends on understanding severity. This section introduces the use of a risk matrix to assess impact and likelihood, assign risk levels, and determine priorities for control. Communicating the results of these assessments ensures that all workers are aware of site-specific risks and how they are being managed.

Control measures must be applied systematically. Participants will learn how to apply the hierarchy of controls—from elimination and substitution, to engineering and administrative controls, with personal protective equipment (PPE) used as the final line of defence. Examples are tailored to plumbing scenarios to support real-world application.

Manual handling is a frequent source of injury in plumbing. This section focuses on lifting techniques, safe movement of heavy tools and materials, and job rotation strategies to reduce strain. The importance of ergonomic planning is reinforced to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in long-term work.

Working at heights introduces critical fall risks. This section provides training on identifying when fall protection is required, and how to safely use ladders, scaffolds, harness systems, and roof edge protection. Reviewing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) before commencing elevated work ensures compliance and preparedness.

Confined spaces pose unique dangers in plumbing. Participants will learn to identify confined space conditions such as tanks, crawl spaces, or pits, and how to apply entry permits, conduct atmospheric testing, and implement rescue procedures. Appropriate PPE, ventilation, and communication methods are essential to safely manage these tasks.

Hot work and gas fitting require strict controls. This section teaches how to prevent fire and explosion risks associated with brazing, welding, and torch use, and how to use hot work permits, fire watches, and gas leak testing procedures. Lockout/tagout protocols are explained to ensure energy sources are safely isolated.

Electrical risks are present across many plumbing tasks. Participants will learn how to work safely around live wiring, verify isolation before starting, and use insulated tools and Residual Current Devices (RCDs) to prevent electrical injuries. Plumbing often intersects with electrical infrastructure, making this knowledge essential.

Chemical and biological risks must also be addressed. This section provides instruction on using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to identify hazards in adhesives, sealants, and plumbing chemicals, and how to manage exposure to greywater, blackwater, or contaminated systems. Safe handling, storage, and disposal procedures are included.

Environmental hazards require responsible management. Participants will learn how to prevent contamination of stormwater, reduce runoff and chemical spills, and implement eco-safe practices such as sediment barriers and spill kits. These controls protect both workers and the broader environment.

Being prepared for emergencies saves lives. This section covers how to plan for incidents such as gas leaks, fires, electrical shocks, or chemical exposures. Participants will learn how to locate and use emergency equipment such as extinguishers, first aid kits, and spill kits, and how to report and review incidents for improvement.

Communication is essential in effective risk control. Participants will learn how to involve workers in safety planning through toolbox talks and pre-start briefings, how to use signage and labels to communicate risks, and how to ensure apprentices understand procedures. Open consultation supports buy-in and improves adherence to controls.

Monitoring and review processes help ensure controls remain effective. This section explains how to audit control measures, track incident trends, and update SWMS and risk registers based on lessons learned. Regular reviews are necessary to refine strategies and adapt to changing site conditions.

Finally, a risk-aware culture must be embedded into plumbing teams. Participants will explore how to encourage proactive hazard reporting without fear of blame, recognise team members who demonstrate leadership in safety, and deliver ongoing training to strengthen understanding of risk controls and new technologies.

By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and practical skills to implement structured risk management and hazard control strategies in plumbing operations—supporting safer workplaces, better compliance, and a more professional approach to managing the risks inherent in the plumbing trade.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Risk Management in Plumbing

• Purpose and scope of risk management in plumbing operations
• Legal responsibilities under the WHS Act and WHS Regulations
• Distinction between risk management and hazard control

2. Identifying Common Hazards in Plumbing Work

• Task-related hazards: cutting, hot work, confined spaces
• Environmental hazards: heights, underground services, weather exposure
• Chemical and biological hazards: sewage, adhesives, gas leaks

3. The Four-Step Risk Management Process

• Step 1: Identify hazards
• Step 2: Assess risks
• Step 3: Control risks
• Step 4: Review control measures regularly

4. Conducting Pre-Start Site Inspections

• Visual checks for unsafe conditions or materials
• Reviewing access, working surfaces, and nearby trade activities
• Using checklists for consistent inspection processes

5. Performing Task Risk Assessments (TRA)

• Breaking down tasks into individual steps
• Identifying associated hazards for each step
• Determining potential impact and risk level

6. Assessing Risks: Likelihood and Consequence

• Using a risk matrix to assess severity
• Assigning risk ratings and prioritising control actions
• Communicating assessment outcomes to workers

7. Applying the Hierarchy of Risk Control

• Elimination: removing hazards entirely
• Substitution, engineering, and administrative controls
• Use of PPE as the last line of defence

8. Managing Manual Handling and Ergonomic Hazards

• Lifting heavy items such as pipework and equipment
• Safe body positioning and use of mechanical aids
• Preventing musculoskeletal injuries through job rotation

9. Working at Heights and Roof Plumbing Risks

• Identifying when fall protection is required
• Using ladders, harnesses, scaffolds, and edge protection systems
• Reviewing SWMS before working on elevated surfaces

10. Confined Space Entry and Underground Work

• Defining confined spaces in plumbing
• Entry permits, atmospheric testing, and rescue plans
• PPE, ventilation, and standby procedures

11. Controlling Hazards Related to Hot Work and Gas Fitting

• Fire and explosion risks during brazing, welding, and torch work
• Hot work permits and fire watches
• Gas detection, leak testing, and lockout/tagout protocols

12. Managing Electrical and Isolation Hazards

• Safe working around live wiring and metal piping
• Verifying isolation before commencing plumbing near electrical components
• Using insulated tools and RCD protection

13. Hazardous Chemicals and Wastewater Risks

• Identifying hazardous substances via Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Safe handling, storage, and disposal of plumbing chemicals
• Biological risks from greywater, blackwater, and backflow

14. Environmental Hazard Control in Plumbing Operations

• Preventing contamination of stormwater or natural waterways
• Controlling sediment runoff and chemical spills
• Waste minimisation and eco-safe work practices

15. Emergency Preparedness and Response in Plumbing Work

• Preparing for gas leaks, electrical contact, fire, or exposure incidents
• Location and use of first aid kits, extinguishers, and spill kits
• Reporting procedures and post-incident reviews

16. Worker Consultation and Risk Communication

• Involving plumbers and apprentices in risk discussions
• Toolbox talks and pre-start safety briefings
• Using signs, labels, and verbal instruction to communicate hazards

17. Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

• Auditing the effectiveness of risk controls
• Tracking incident trends and near misses
• Updating procedures and SWMS based on field learnings

18. Embedding a Risk-Aware Culture in Plumbing Teams

• Encouraging hazard reporting without fear of blame
• Recognising proactive risk management efforts
• Training staff regularly in new risk control methods and technologies

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.