Flammable Liquids, Solvents and Adhesives SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers the handling and use of flammable liquids, solvents and adhesives, from planning and storage through to application, spill response and sign-off. It supports planning for vapours, chemical contact, ignition, spills, dust and waste hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review chemicals and plan work around selection, vapour, incompatibility, fire and explosion hazards.
• Set up exclusion arrangements and control potential ignition sources.
• Inspect chemical storage and containment for leaks, vapour accumulation and incompatible storage.
• Transport chemicals to the work area and manage container, handling, spill and vehicle hazards.
• Prepare ventilation and monitoring for vapours and hazardous atmospheres.
• Decant flammable liquids and mix adhesives or sealants.
• Apply solvents and adhesives while managing vapour, skin, eye, fire and repetitive-strain hazards.
• Control combustible dust and manage visibility and static hazards.
• Respond to spills and exposures, including slip, drain and vapour hazards.
• Manage solvent rags and waste, then clean up and sign off.

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses handling flammable liquids, solvents or adhesives.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, including guidance on SDS, substitution, hazardous atmospheres, ventilation, ignition-source control and combustible-dust housekeeping.
• Model Code of Practice: Spray Painting and Powder Coating, used as relevant guidance for solvent vapours, earthing, exclusion zones, storage and solvent-soaked rag disposal.
• AS 1940, The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
• AS/NZS 60079.10.1, Explosive atmospheres—Classification of areas—Explosive gas atmospheres.
• AS/NZS 60079 series, Explosive atmospheres—equipment selection, installation and inspection where a hazardous area is identified.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716, Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.
• AS/NZS 1337.1, Personal eye and face protection.
• AS/NZS 2161.1, Occupational protective gloves.
• AS/NZS 2210.3, Safety, protective and occupational footwear.
• AS 1674.1, Safety in welding and allied processes—Fire precautions, where hot work is proposed.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections