Paints and Coatings Oil Based SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning and managing work involving oil-based paints and coatings, from reviewing chemicals and preparing surfaces through to application, cleaning and disposal. It supports the identification and control of hazards including solvent exposure, flammable vapours, spills, access risks and waste handling.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the work scope, selected paints and coating chemicals before work begins.
• Set up and control the work area to manage access, vapour movement, ignition sources and spills.
• Inspect access equipment and platforms before use.
• Prepare coated surfaces while managing dust, airborne particles, noise and vibration.
• Inspect spray equipment, hoses and electrical components before operation.
• Store, transfer and handle paint materials to reduce leaks, splashes, manual handling risks and ignition hazards.
• Mix oil-based paint and thinners while managing vapours, splashes, skin contact and incompatible materials.
• Apply coatings by brush or roller while managing exposure, spills, repetitive work and access risks.
• Undertake spray application while managing spray mist, overspray, inhalation and high-pressure hazards.
• Manage coating drying and curing areas, including residual vapours and unauthorised contact.
• Clean tools and equipment while managing solvent, splash, vapour and soaked-rag hazards.
• Respond to spills and emergencies, then dispose of materials and complete work-area sign-off.

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out oil-based paint and coating activities.

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, including duties to manage risks, hazardous chemicals, hazardous atmospheres, plant, electrical risks, falls and worker consultation.
• Model Code of Practice: Spray Painting and Powder Coating. Use as guidance only where adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; it identifies solvent vapours, flammable liquids, chemical exposure and spray mists as key risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace. Use as guidance only where adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction; it restricts specified chemicals for spray painting, including benzene above 1% by volume, lead carbonate and methanol above 1% by volume.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks; Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace; Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces; and Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• AS/NZS 4114 Safety of spray painting booths, designated spray-painting areas and paint-mixing rooms.
• 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 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.
• AS/NZS 1337.1 Personal eye-protection; AS/NZS 2161.2 Occupational protective gloves; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments.

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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