Product Overview

This General Painting Surface Prep Decorating SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, implement controls, and support WHS compliance for painting and decorating activities. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of painting preparation, application, and finishing, ensuring safe management of High Risk Construction Work where applicable.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Preparation of surfaces for painting, including cleaning, sanding, filling, and dust control
• Application of undercoat and primer systems to internal and external surfaces
• Application of topcoats and finishing coats to walls, ceilings, doors, and trims
• Advanced painting tasks such as multi-coat systems, complex colour schemes, and detailed cutting-in
• Application of flame retardant coatings and management of associated chemical and fire risks
• Application of anti-graffiti coatings to external surfaces and public-facing structures
• Application of decorative faux finishes, textures, and feature walls using specialised tools and techniques
• Application of fresh coats of paint over existing coatings, including inspection and adhesion checks
• Application of interior finishes to frames, skirtings, architraves, doors, and window reveals
• Application of finishing coatings to frames, blinds, and awnings, including feathering and blending of paint
• Caulking work around frames, joints, and penetrations to ensure a sealed and paint-ready surface
• Use of volatile or solvent-based coatings, including ventilation, ignition source control, and PPE requirements
• Exterior painting works, including weather protection, access arrangements, and public interface controls
• Hand painting tasks using brushes and rollers, including repetitive motion and manual handling risk controls
• Cleaning after paint jobs, including waste disposal, clean-up of spills, and safe use of cleaning agents

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for painters, decorators, maintenance teams, shopfitters, facility managers, and site supervisors responsible for managing painting and surface preparation works on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – guidance on ventilation, amenities, lighting, and safe access during painting works
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – requirements for handling paints, solvents, flame retardants, and anti-graffiti products
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – controls for repetitive painting motions, lifting paint tins, and handling equipment
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – where powered sanding or preparation equipment is used
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – risk management framework applied throughout the SWMS
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment – guidance for respirator use with paints, dusts, and fumes
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices – performance requirements for respiratory PPE
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves – selection of appropriate hand protection for paints and solvents
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection – eye protection for splashes, dust, and flying particles during surface prep
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites – where powered tools and equipment are used for surface preparation
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017