Product Overview

This Painting and Decorating SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, implement controls, and support WHS compliance for painting and decorating activities on Australian worksites. It provides end-to-end coverage for surface preparation, application methods, access equipment, and clean-up processes involved in painting and decorating work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Selection, inspection, and safe use of ladders, trestles, and mobile scaffolds for painting at height
• Setup and operation of elevated work platforms (EWPs) for internal and external painting tasks
• Surface preparation activities including sanding, scraping, filling, and washing of substrates
• Safe handling, mixing, and application of water-based and solvent-based paints, primers, and sealers
• Use of rollers, brushes, and spray equipment, including airless spray systems and associated overspray controls
• Management of fumes, vapours, and airborne particulates through ventilation and respiratory protection
• Manual handling of paint tins, ladders, planks, and access equipment to minimise sprains and strains
• Control of slips, trips, and falls due to spills, drop sheets, tools, and materials in work areas
• Electrical safety when using powered sanders, spray units, lighting, and extension leads
• Protection of adjacent areas, fixtures, and the public through barricades, signage, and exclusion zones
• Working near live traffic, pedestrians, or other trades on active construction or refurbishment sites
• Safe storage, labelling, and decanting of paints, thinners, and other hazardous chemicals
• Waste management and environmentally responsible disposal of leftover paints, solvents, and contaminated materials
• Emergency response procedures for spills, fire, and exposure to hazardous substances
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, eye protection, respirators, and protective clothing

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for painters, decorators, maintenance teams, residential and commercial painting contractors, and site supervisors overseeing painting and decorating works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction Code of Practice: Guidance on preventing falls when working at height on residential projects
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Requirements and controls for ladder use, scaffolds, and elevated work platforms
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Safe handling, storage, and use of paints, solvents, and other hazardous substances
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Risk management framework applied to painting and decorating activities
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for powered sanding and spray equipment noise exposure
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Guidance for lifting, carrying, and repetitive painting tasks
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices: Selection and use of fall-arrest equipment where required
• AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding: Requirements for the safe use of scaffolding and trestle systems
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites: Electrical safety for portable tools and equipment
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017