Product Overview

This Timber Flooring Hardwood and Parquetry Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for all stages of timber and parquetry floor installation. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of timber floor laying and parquetry flooring work to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Aligning starter rows to ensure accurate layout while maintaining safe body positioning and tool use
• Checking moisture content of timber and subfloor surfaces before installation to prevent product failure and mould risks
• Inspecting, fixing, or replacing broken or weak boards and planks to eliminate trip hazards and structural defects
• Planning and carrying out floating floor laying with controls for manual handling, cutting, and noise exposure
• Installing floating floors over various substrates, including safe use of underlay, trims, and expansion joints
• Laying parquetry flooring, including pattern setting, cutting, and adhesive application with appropriate ventilation controls
• Preparing and fixing ply layers as an underlay, including safe handling of sheets and use of fasteners and adhesives
• Parquetry crafting and inlay work using power tools and hand tools, with controls for dust, noise, and sharp tools
• Performing hardwood flooring installation, including ripping, cross-cutting, and secret nailing with guards and PPE
• General timber floor laying activities such as measuring, marking, and trimming boards to fit around fixtures and openings
• Use of portable power tools (saws, sanders, nail guns) including electrical safety, guarding, and lock-out procedures
• Manual handling of packs of timber, parquetry, and ply sheets with techniques to minimise strain and musculoskeletal injury
• Housekeeping, waste management, and control of offcuts, nails, and packaging to keep work areas clean and free of slip and trip hazards

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for timber flooring installers, parquetry specialists, carpenters, building contractors, and site supervisors responsible for managing hardwood and floating floor installations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: Construction Work – guidance on planning, managing, and carrying out construction activities, including flooring installation
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction – controls for working at low heights, edges, and on partially completed floors
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – requirements for controlling noise from saws, nail guns, and sanders
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – safe use of flooring adhesives, sealers, and solvents
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – risk management framework applied to timber and parquetry flooring tasks
• Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – ensuring suitable ventilation, lighting, and amenities during flooring works
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe Working on or Near Low-Voltage Electrical Installations and Equipment – guidance relevant to working around electrical outlets and services while using power tools
• AS/NZS 1715 & AS/NZS 1716: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment – requirements for respiratory protection when cutting or sanding timber and sheet products
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational Protective Gloves – recommendations for hand protection when handling timber, ply, and tools
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017