Product Overview

This Laminating Veneering and Surface Finishing Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed to help PCBUs, supervisors, and workers identify hazards and implement effective controls during laminating, veneering, and finishing activities. It is a comprehensive, task-specific document that consolidates multiple fabrication and finishing processes into one easy-to-use SWMS to support WHS compliance and safe management of High Risk Construction Work where applicable.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Acrylic solid surface fabrication, cutting, shaping, bonding, and finishing activities
• Applying edge banding to panels, doors, and cabinetry using manual and automated equipment
• Cutting plastic laminate sheets, including safe use of saws, routers, and trimming tools
• Exposed edge laminating techniques to ensure safe handling, trimming, and finishing of sharp edges
• Inlaid work preparation, layout, cutting, and installation of decorative inlays
• Inlaying work using machine and hand tools, including dust, noise, and manual handling controls
• Laminating or veneering with heavy presses, including guarding, pinch-point controls, and lock-out procedures
• Layered laminate work, including stacking, alignment, clamping, and curing processes
• Machine-made ivory inlays fabrication or similar fine inlay materials, with controls for small-part handling and precision tooling
• Melamine door skin attaching, including adhesive application, positioning, pressing, and curing
• Pressing veneers onto core materials, including safe set-up, operation, and maintenance of presses
• Procedures for glue laminating, including mixing, application, ventilation, and safe clean-up of adhesives
• Selection, safe use, and maintenance of woodworking machinery (saws, sanders, planers, routers, presses)
• Control of airborne dust, fumes, and vapours from cutting, sanding, and adhesive use, including extraction and PPE
• Manual handling, storage, and transport of sheet materials, veneers, and finished components

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for cabinetmakers, joiners, shopfitters, furniture manufacturers, solid surface fabricators, and site supervisors overseeing laminating, veneering, and surface finishing works in workshops or on construction sites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on the safe use of woodworking machinery, presses, and associated plant
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for safe storage, handling, and use of adhesives, solvents, and finishing products
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for noisy cutting, sanding, and pressing operations
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Where laminating and veneering activities involve work at height, such as on large panels or installed joinery
• Manual Tasks Code of Practice (where applicable in your state or territory): Guidance on reducing risks from lifting and handling sheet materials and finished products
• Safe Work Australia – Guide to Managing Risks of Inhalable Dust: Controls for wood dust and composite material dust generated during cutting and sanding
• AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory Protective Devices: Selection and use of appropriate respiratory protection where engineering controls are insufficient
• AS/NZS 1337 Eye and Face Protection: Requirements for safety eyewear during cutting, pressing, trimming, and finishing operations