Master Plumbers' Safety is a cloud-based workplace health and safety (WHS) management system designed to provide industry with a clear, quick, and compliant system to manage WHS in their businesses.
The complexity of managing health and safety obligations is an ongoing frustration for small businesses, especially in hazardous industries like plumbing, drainage and gas fitting where risks are more pronounced and there are greater safety obligations on employers. Complying with Australia’s strict WHS laws is a must – failing to do so could mean huge penalties and in extreme cases, jail.
To cut through this complexity, we are offering industry a simple system to manage their health and safety obligations, particularly in relation to the creation of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), which can be created in less than five minutes through the Master Plumbers' Safety platform.
Personalised SWMS in 5 minutes
Available to industry but members save up to $2,784 a year
Created by and for industry, to make WHS more manageable for people on the tools
Cloud-based so you can manage WHS on the go, on site, and on your phone
Pricing
Master Plumbers' Safety is included in your contracting membership. It is also available to the rest of industry at a cost. To purchase, click below.
Master Plumbers' Safety comes at no cost to contracting members. To find out what are the benefits to becoming an MPAQ member, call us at 07 3273 0800, email membership@mpaq.com.au, or click the Save More button above.
Under WHS law, a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) must be created whenever you are undertaking high-risk construction work (HRCW), as defined under the WHS Regulations 2011. Examples of HRCW include:
Work involving heights above 2 metres.
Work involving trenches, excavation, or confined spaces.
Tasks that involve hazardous substances, asbestos, or energised equipment.
If the work involves a significant risk to health and safety, even if it’s not HRCW, a SWMS is often considered best practice.
A SWMS is a form of Risk Assessment that is required whenever HRCW is carried out. The key differences are below:
SWMS:
Specifically required for high-risk construction work (HRCW).
Focuses on outlining control measures and step-by-step instructions to perform tasks safely.
Must meet specific compliance standards under WHS regulations.
Risk Assessment:
A broader tool used to identify, assess, and control risks for any type of work activity.
Can be used for non-HRCW or as a supplementary tool for low-risk tasks.
Key Difference: A SWMS is more detailed, procedural, and relates to management of HRCW, whereas a risk assessment is a more generalised evaluation of risks and controls.
You might choose a regular risk assessment instead of a SWMS in the following situations:
The task does not involve HRCW (e.g., general plumbing maintenance or office tasks).
The risks are minimal and can be addressed through a simpler process.
However, because a SWMS is a form of Risk Assessment, if the particular work activity is covered in your SWMS, using the Master Plumbers platform for SWMS creation is beneficial even for non-HRCW because it ensures a structured and compliant approach to risk management and demonstrate your due diligence and WHS Management System.
To ensure compliance, verify that your SWMS includes the following key components:
Description of the Work: Clearly state the scope of tasks involved.
High-Risk Construction Activities Identified: Outline specific HRCW elements present in the task.
Hazards Identified: List all potential hazards associated with each step of the work.
Control Measures: Detail the control measures in place to mitigate risks (aligned with the hierarchy of controls).
Responsibilities: Assign roles and responsibilities for implementing the SWMS.
Review and Approval: Ensure the SWMS is carried out as per legislative guidelines, signed and approved by relevant personnel.
Worker Consultation: Confirm workers involved in the task have reviewed and accepted the SWMS.
The Master Plumbers SWMS tool guides you to create all of the above, but you should familiarise yourself which each area to ensure the SWMS created using the tool includes all these elements.
If a contractor does not accept the SWMS, consider these steps:
Engage in Consultation: Discuss the contractor’s concerns and determine if modifications can be made to the SWMS to address their feedback.
Alternative Format: While the Master Plumbers tool provides a structured and compliant format, you can export or adapt the SWMS content to another document style that meets the contractor's preferences, as long as it remains compliant with WHS requirements. Please contact the Master Plumbers Advisory Line to discuss alternative formats.
Master Plumbers' Safety Resources
Watch the videos below to know more about how easy it is to set up your account and create personalised SWMS to make sure your business is compliant with WHS regulations.
Personalised SWMS in 5 minutes
Available to industry but members save up to $2,784 a year
Created by and for industry, to make WHS more manageable for people on the tools
Cloud-based so you can manage WHS on the go, on site, and on your phone
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