Safe Work Method Statement for Painting and Decorating Operations on Construction Sites

Painting and Decorating

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Painting and decorating operations involve working at heights, handling hazardous chemicals, and managing surface preparation. This SWMS covers fall protection, chemical safety, and proper application techniques. The document addresses Australian WHS requirements for hazardous substances and working at heights.

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Overview

What this SWMS covers

Painting and decorating involves working at heights, handling chemicals, and managing surface preparation. This SWMS covers fall protection, ventilation, and safe application techniques to prevent chemical exposure and falls.

Fully editable, audit-ready, and aligned to Australian WHS standards.

Why this SWMS matters

Painting operations create chemical exposure and fall hazards on construction sites. Without proper controls, workers face poisoning, serious falls, and fire risks from flammable materials used in painting.

Reinforce licensing, insurance, and regulator expectations for Painting and Decorating Safe Work Method Statement crews before they mobilise.

Hazard identification

Surface the critical risks tied to this work scope and communicate them to every worker.

Risk register

High

Working on ladders and scaffolding during painting.

High

Contact with paints, solvents, and cleaning chemicals.

High

Flammable paints and solvents near ignition sources.

Medium

Wet surfaces from paint spills creating slip hazards.

Medium

Dust and fumes from surface preparation and painting.

Control measures

Deploy layered controls aligned to the hierarchy of hazard management.

Implementation guide

Use water-based paints to eliminate solvent hazards.

Implementation

Specify low-VOC paints, solvent-free cleaners, powder coatings.

Provide adequate ventilation for fume control.

Implementation

Local exhaust systems, portable fans, fresh air supply.

Implement comprehensive fall protection for heights.

Implementation

Guardrails, harnesses, stable platforms, toe boards.

Establish safe painting protocols and practices.

Implementation

Site plans, hot work permits, cleanup procedures, training.

Provide protective equipment for chemical and fall hazards.

Implementation

Respirators, chemical gloves, safety glasses, harnesses.

Personal protective equipment

Requirement: P2 mask or organic vapor respirator

When:

Requirement: Nitrile chemical-resistant gloves

When:

Requirement: Clear glasses with side shields

When:

Inspections & checks

Before work starts

  • Verify paint products and SDS
  • Check ventilation systems
  • Inspect ladders and scaffolding
  • Confirm flammable material storage

During work

  • Monitor ventilation effectiveness
  • Check fall protection usage
  • Verify PPE condition
  • Monitor chemical exposure

After work

  • Inspect for paint spills
  • Check equipment cleaning
  • Verify waste disposal
  • Document work completed

Step-by-step work procedure

Give supervisors and crews a clear, auditable sequence for the task.

Field ready

Site Preparation and Safety Setup

Prepare work area and set up safety equipment.

Safety considerations

Never paint without ventilation and fall protection

Surface Preparation

Prepare surfaces using safe dust control methods.

Safety considerations

Use wet methods to control dust

Paint Mixing and Application

Mix and apply paint with proper ventilation.

Safety considerations

Never mix incompatible products

Cleanup and Waste Management

Clean equipment and manage waste properly.

Safety considerations

Never pour paint down drains

Final Inspection and Documentation

Inspect work and document completion.

Safety considerations

Allow proper drying time

Frequently asked questions

Fall protection for painting heights?

Required over 2m: guardrails, harnesses, or platforms.

Flammable paint storage?

In approved cabinets, well-ventilated, away from ignition sources.

Ventilation for spray painting?

Local exhaust or negative pressure systems required.

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Why It Matters

Painting and decorating work creates multiple hazards from chemical exposure, falls from heights, and improper surface preparation. Construction sites present additional challenges with scaffolding access, weather conditions, and proximity to other trades. Without proper controls, workers face chemical poisoning, serious falls, and fire hazards from flammable materials. This SWMS ensures systematic hazard management through proper equipment selection, ventilation, and safety procedures to protect workers and ensure quality finishes.

Hazard Identification

Painting and decorating operations involve several hazards requiring specialized control measures.

Control Measures

Control measures follow the hierarchy of controls, prioritizing elimination and engineering solutions before administrative and PPE measures.

PPE Requirements

Personal protective equipment is critical for painting and decorating operations and must meet specific standards.

Inspections & Checks

Regular inspections and checks are essential for maintaining painting safety.

Step-by-Step Work Procedure

Follow these systematic procedures for safe painting and decorating operations.

FAQ

Common questions about painting and decorating safety.

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Risk Rating

BeforeHigh
After ControlsLow

Key Controls

  • • Pre-start briefing covering hazards
  • • PPE: hard hats, eye protection, gloves
  • • Emergency plan communicated to crew

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