Safe Work Method Statement

Hazards: Lead exposure; asbestos or other hazardous materials

Controls: Supervisor inspects building, age/history, substrate and access. Identify potential lead paint and other hazardous materials. Do not disturb any coating until it has been assessed.

Who: Supervisor   PPE / gear: SWMS; site inspection; PPE; barriers

Hold point: Pre-start completed; hazards documented; SWMS signed before work.

STOP WORK if: Unknown hazardous material, unsafe access, or uncontrolled public.

Hazards: Lead dust / paint chips; incorrect assumption about coating

Controls: Test all paint layers/surfaces to be removed where practicable. If the test is negative but building age/history indicates possible lead, treat it as lead.

Who: Supervisor / PCBU   PPE / gear: Lead test kit / laboratory result; SDS; records

Hold point: Lead assessment recorded before disturbance.

STOP WORK if: Lead status cannot be reasonably determined or controls are inadequate.

Hazards: Spread of lead contamination; wind-blown debris

Controls: Establish a controlled lead work area. Barricade and sign. Exclude children, pets and unauthorised persons. Close windows/doors.

Who: Supervisor / Workers   PPE / gear: Plastic/tarpaulin; barriers; signage; tape; weights

Hold point: Containment inspected before paint removal and during work.

STOP WORK if: Containment fails, wind causes migration, or stormwater/adjacent property is at risk.

Hazards: Inhalation/ingestion of lead; eye/skin exposure; chemical

Controls: Wear protective clothing, gloves and eye protection. Use respiratory protection selected for the task. For wet scraping use a P2 half-face respirator as a minimum.

Who: Supervisor / Workers   PPE / gear: Half-face respirator; P2/appropriate cartridges; coveralls

Hold point: PPE checked and worker trained before entering the lead area.

STOP WORK if: Respiratory protection/PPE is unavailable, damaged or not fitted.

Hazards: Lead dust; paint chips; cuts; slips; contamination

Controls: Keep paint damp. Use hand scrapers and collect debris directly onto containment. Avoid dry scraping. Keep the work area tidy and clean as you go.

Who: Workers   PPE / gear: Scrapers; spray bottle/water; containment

Hold point: Surface remains controlled and debris captured.

STOP WORK if: Visible dust/debris escapes containment or workers cannot maintain the wet method.

Hazards: Chemical burns; vapours; fire; lead residue

Controls: Read and follow the current SDS/TDS. Use chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, coveralls and a respirator appropriate to the product.

Who: Workers / Supervisor   PPE / gear: Chemical stripper; SDS; gloves; goggles; respirator; containers

Hold point: SDS reviewed; spill controls available; product compatible with timber.

STOP WORK if: Uncontrolled vapour, spill, skin/eye exposure, fire risk or drain contamination.

Hazards: Generation of lead dust; inhalation; contamination; noise

Controls: Minimise sanding. Prefer wet hand sanding where practicable. Mechanical dry sanding only where specifically assessed and fitted with HEPA extraction.

Who: Supervisor / Competent Worker   PPE / gear: HEPA extraction; suitable sander if authorised; respirator

Hold point: Supervisor confirms sanding method and controls before commencement.

STOP WORK if: Dust escapes, HEPA extraction fails, or the method differs from this SWMS.

Hazards: Ingestion; cross-contamination; take-home exposure

Controls: No eating, drinking, smoking, vaping or food storage in the lead work area. Establish a clean eating area. Keep contaminated PPE/tools separate from clean areas.

Who: All workers / Supervisor   PPE / gear: Handwashing facilities; signage; clean area

Hold point: Supervisor checks hygiene controls each shift.

STOP WORK if: Clean/dirty separation cannot be maintained.

Hazards: Re-aerosolisation of lead; spread of contamination

Controls: Remain in protective clothing/respirator during contaminated clean-up. Collect large debris. Use a suitable HEPA vacuum and wet wipe. No dry sweeping.

Who: Workers / Supervisor   PPE / gear: HEPA vacuum; wet wipes/mops; sealed bags; cleaning solution

Hold point: Supervisor visually checks area and containment before demobilisation.

STOP WORK if: Cleaning method spreads dust or contamination outside.

Hazards: Lead-contaminated waste; environmental contamination

Controls: Place paint chips, contaminated sheeting and disposable PPE into heavy-duty sealed bags/containers. Label them. Store securely. Keep disposal records.

Who: Supervisor / Workers   PPE / gear: Heavy-duty bags; sealed containers; labels; transport

Hold point: Waste route confirmed before disposal; containers sealed.

STOP WORK if: Waste cannot be safely contained or a lawful disposal route is not available.

Hazards: Falls from height; falling objects; unstable access

Controls: Select the safest access method. Inspect equipment before use. Use compliant scaffold/EWP/ladder and trained operators.

Who: Supervisor / Competent Workers   PPE / gear: Scaffold/EWP/ladder; fall protection as required; tool lanyards

Hold point: Access equipment inspected and site-specific fall controls verified.

STOP WORK if: Unsafe wind, defective access equipment, inadequate edge protection.

Hazards: Wind spreading lead debris; rain; heat; slips; poor curing

Controls: Monitor weather. Avoid windy conditions that could spread dust/debris. Protect the work area from rain. Follow the coating manufacturer's conditions.

Who: Supervisor   PPE / gear: Weather forecast; shade; hydration; PPE

Hold point: Supervisor checks conditions throughout the shift.

STOP WORK if: Weather compromises containment, worker safety or coating.

Hazards: Solvent/paint exposure; slips; overspray

Controls: Only commence after preparation and cleaning controls are complete. Confirm timber is dry and sound. Follow the coating system and SDS/TDS.

Who: Workers / Supervisor   PPE / gear: Primer/topcoat; SDS/TDS; respirator as required; gloves; eye protection

Hold point: Supervisor confirms substrate preparation and coating system before application.

STOP WORK if: Substrate is contaminated/wet, product is incompatible, or overspray is uncontrolled.

Hazards: Residual lead contamination; waste; public exposure

Controls: Complete a final HEPA/wet clean. Remove containment carefully to avoid releasing dust. Inspect ground, paths and surrounding areas.

Who: Supervisor / Workers   PPE / gear: HEPA vacuum; wet cleaning equipment; waste bags

Hold point: Supervisor signs the final inspection before site handover.

STOP WORK if: Handover stops if visible contamination remains or waste is unsecured.