Wood Staining French Polishing Varnishing SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, preparing, staining, polishing, sealing and finishing timber surfaces. It supports work planning and risk management for chemical exposure, flammable materials, dust, tools, spills, waste and final handover.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work, select suitable products and communicate site controls
• Set up a controlled work area with clear access and ventilation considerations
• Inspect tools, leads and equipment before use
• Handle timber and materials while managing lifting, splinters and dropped-load risks
• Prepare timber surfaces, including sanding and contamination control
• Mix stains and tints and manage vapours, contact and spills
• Apply bleach, preservative, stains and sealers to timber
• French polish surfaces and apply lacquer, varnish or oil finishes
• Clean tools and equipment and manage solvent exposure
• Store and remove chemical, coating and combustible waste
• Complete final clean-up, identify residual hazards and hand over the area

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out timber staining, French polishing, varnishing and related finishing activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• WHS Act section 19 - primary duty of care.
• WHS Regulations clauses 32-38 - duty to identify hazards, manage risks and apply the hierarchy of control.
• WHS Regulation clause 39 - information, training, instruction and supervision.
• WHS Regulation clause 44 - provision and use of personal protective equipment. Supported by AS/NZS 1715, AS/NZS 1716, AS/NZS 1337.1, AS/NZS 2161 and AS/NZS 2210.1.
• WHS Regulation clause 49 - ensure exposure standards for airborne contaminants are not exceeded; use ventilation and monitoring where required.
• WHS Regulation clause 51 - manage risks associated with ignition sources and hazardous atmospheres.
• WHS Regulation clause 52 - ignition sources.
• WHS Regulation clause 53 - flammable and combustible materials not to be accumulated.
• WHS Regulation clause 60 - hazardous manual tasks.
• WHS Regulation clause 78 - management of risk of falls.
• WHS Regulations Chapter 7 - hazardous chemicals, including labelling, SDS, storage and handling.
• WHS Regulation clause 355 - specific control of fire and explosion for hazardous chemicals.
• Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
• Code of Practice: Spray painting and powder coating.
• AS 1940 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices.
• AS/NZS 4114 Spray painting booths, designated spray painting areas and paint mixing rooms, where spray finishing is used.
• AS/NZS 3760 in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment where portable tools and leads are used.
• AS/NZS 1892 portable ladders, where ladders are used for access or light-duty finishing work.

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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