This Surface Preparation and Sanding SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers washing, scraping, stripping, heat gun work, sanding and filling before painting timber, render, masonry and steel. It covers 29 activities, from the hazardous material check to final clean-down and emergency response, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Painters and decorators
Commercial and residential painting contractors
Plasterers and patch-and-repair trades
Builders and maintenance crews preparing surfaces for repainting
Heritage restoration contractors working on older buildings
 
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
 
What this SWMS covers
Lead paint testing and asbestos checks before any preparation starts
Choosing low dust methods and protecting occupants, neighbours and the public
Containment, masking, ground protection and electrical isolation before wet work
Ladders, trestles, scaffold and EWPs, plus generators and compressors
Sander, extraction and respirator checks, including fit testing
Washing down, mould treatment, pressure cleaning and biological hazards in vacant buildings
Scraping, chemical stripping and heat gun work, including lead fume and fire
Power sanding with on-tool extraction, noise and vibration
Timber, render, masonry, filler and steelwork preparation, including silica and hexavalent chromium
Hand, pole and overhead sanding, and falls from stilts
Exposure monitoring, decontamination, heat, waste and wash water disposal
Final dust clearance and emergency response to exposure, falls, shock or fire
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 29 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials and checks for extraction vacuums, respirators and access equipment
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4361.2 for lead paint management and AS/NZS 1715 for respiratory protection
Training requirements, including respirator fit testing, lead and asbestos awareness, and baseline blood lead monitoring
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
 
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for surface preparation and sanding?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example sanding where someone could fall more than 2 metres, work likely to disturb asbestos, or preparing surfaces near energised electrical installations. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients, builders and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover lead paint?
Yes. It covers testing paint before preparation starts, lead fume from heat guns, controlling lead dust, exposure monitoring, decontamination and final dust clearance. It also lists baseline blood lead monitoring before any lead risk work.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.