Product Overview

This Waterproofing Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a comprehensive safety and risk management document designed to control hazards associated with all stages of commercial and residential waterproofing work. It provides end-to-end coverage of planning, preparation, application, and finishing processes to help you maintain WHS compliance and manage High Risk Construction Work involving waterproofing systems and chemicals.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Creating effective isolation barriers between different substrates to prevent chemical reactions and moisture transfer
• Ensuring weather seals are correctly installed to minimise water ingress and wind-driven rain penetration
• Safe gluing and installation of rubber seals, including handling of adhesives and surface preparation
• Handling, mixing, decanting, and storage of waterproofing chemicals, primers, and solvents
• Implementing multiple sealing layers to achieve specified waterproofing performance and durability
• Installing vapour barriers to control condensation and moisture migration through building elements
• Layering and applying large-scale elastomeric coatings on roofs, decks, and exposed surfaces
• Laying sheet or liquid-applied waterproofing membranes to floors, walls, and wet areas
• Management of water ingress during works, including temporary diversion, pumping, and containment
• Penetrating damp treatment to walls and slabs, including drilling, injection, and curing controls
• Sealing and weatherproofing around penetrations, joints, and interfaces between building elements
• Silicone application at joins adjacent to walls, fixtures, and fittings to maintain a continuous seal
• Installation and operation of torch-on membrane systems, including hot works controls and fire safety
• Waterproofing of high or elevated surfaces, including access, edge protection, and fall prevention
• Waterproofing of floors and lower portions of walls in wet areas, basements, and external zones

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for waterproofing contractors, tilers, remedial builders, roofing and façade specialists, and site supervisors overseeing waterproofing works on Australian construction and maintenance projects.

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
• Code of Practice: Construction Work – guidance on managing risks associated with construction activities, including waterproofing
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – requirements for working on roofs, balconies, and elevated surfaces during waterproofing
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – controls for handling primers, solvents, adhesives, and waterproofing compounds
• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – risk management framework applied to all waterproofing tasks
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Fire and Explosions at the Workplace – relevant to torch-on membrane systems and hot works
• AS 3740 Waterproofing of domestic wet areas – requirements for waterproofing wet areas in residential buildings
• AS 4654.1 & AS 4654.2 Waterproofing membranes for external above-ground use – design and installation requirements for external waterproofing systems
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – where harness systems are used for work on high surfaces