Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical training requirements for plasterers to work safely and competently on Australian construction and maintenance sites. It helps businesses structure induction, skills development, and WHS training so plasterers can control key risks such as falls, silica dust, manual handling, and plant use while meeting their legal obligations.

Plastering work exposes workers to a combination of high-risk construction activities, including working at height, handling heavy and awkward materials, exposure to respirable crystalline silica from sanding and cutting, and the use of powered tools and access equipment. Without a structured approach to training, plasterers may rely on informal, inconsistent instruction that leaves dangerous gaps in knowledge and practice. This Training Requirements for Plasterers SOP provides a clear, defensible framework for what training must be completed, when it is required, and how competence is to be verified and recorded.

Designed specifically for Australian plastering operations, this SOP aligns training expectations with WHS legislation, construction codes of practice, and industry best practice. It covers mandatory WHS inductions, high-risk construction awareness, plant and equipment training, task-specific safe work methods, and refresher requirements. By implementing this procedure, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, standardise training across crews and sites, and reduce the likelihood of incidents caused by inadequate instruction or supervision. The SOP also supports better workforce planning by clarifying the minimum competency profile for plasterers at different levels, from apprentices to leading hands.

Key Benefits

• Ensure plasterers receive consistent, role-appropriate WHS and skills training before commencing work on site.
• Reduce the risk of injuries and incidents arising from untrained or inadequately supervised plastering tasks.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and construction industry training expectations during audits and inspections.
• Standardise competency requirements across multiple projects, subcontractors, and labour hire providers.
• Streamline record-keeping and verification of licences, tickets, and refresher training for plastering personnel.

Who is this for?

• Plasterers
• Leading Hands and Trade Supervisors
• Site Supervisors and Forepersons
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• HR and Training Coordinators
• Business Owners of Plastering Contractors
• Labour Hire Providers in Construction

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from ladders, trestles, scaffolds, and elevated work platforms during plastering activities
• Exposure to respirable crystalline silica and dust from cutting, mixing, and sanding plasterboard and compounds
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying, and positioning plasterboard sheets, bags of compound, and tools
• Use of powered tools and equipment such as sanders, mixers, cutting tools, and access equipment
• Slips, trips, and falls on cluttered or poorly maintained work areas
• Eye and skin irritation from plaster compounds, adhesives, and dust
• Noise exposure from power tools and construction site activities
• Struck-by and crush injuries from working in proximity to mobile plant and other trades

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisors, Plasterers, WHS Personnel)
• 4.0 Overview of Plastering Tasks and Associated WHS Risks
• 5.0 Mandatory Induction and General WHS Training Requirements
• 6.0 Task-Specific Training for Plastering Activities
• 7.0 Training Requirements for Use of Plant, Tools and Access Equipment
• 8.0 Working at Height and Fall-Prevention Training Requirements
• 9.0 Silica Dust, Hazardous Chemicals and PPE Training Requirements
• 10.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Training for Plasterers
• 11.0 Competency Assessment and Verification of Competency (VOC)
• 12.0 Refresher Training and Re-training Triggers (Incidents, New Equipment, Procedure Changes)
• 13.0 Supervision Levels for Apprentices and New or Inexperienced Workers
• 14.0 Training Records, Licences and Evidence of Competency Management
• 15.0 Contractor and Labour Hire Worker Training Verification
• 16.0 Non-Compliance, Corrective Actions and Performance Management
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of Training Requirements
• 18.0 References, Legislation and Applicable Standards
• Appendix A – Plasterer Training Matrix (Roles vs Required Training)
• Appendix B – Training Attendance and Competency Record Template
• Appendix C – Example Induction and Toolbox Talk Topics for Plasterers

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace (principles applicable to plastering dust control)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems