Legislation
Jurisdictions Safety Legislation
Act: Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)
Regulation: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW)
Regulator and Contact Number
Regulator: SafeWork NSW Number: 13 10 50
•Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
•First Aid in the Workplace
COP NSW
•Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
•Confined Spaces
•Construction Work
•Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
Standards
AS/NZS 1067: Sunglasses and fashion spectacles, AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics - Hearing protectors, AS/NZS 1337.4-6 Series: Personal eye-protection, AS/NZS 1715: Selection use and maintenance of respiratory protection devices, AS/NZS 2161.1-10: Occupational protective gloves, AS/NZS 2210.1-9 Series: Occupational protective footwear, AS/NZS 1800: Occupational protective helmets - Selection, care and use, AS/NZS 4501.1: Occupational protective clothing – General recommendations on selection, care, use and maintenance of protective clothing
Hierarchy of Controls Definitions
Elimination
Substitution
Isolation
This control measure involves eliminating or removing the risk in its entirety
This form of control involves substituting a safer process or material for the hazardous process/material found.
This control involves separating the hazard or hazardous work practice from employee’s other work areas. This may involve sectioning off the area by erecting barriers or by moving either the hazardous work practice or the „other‟ employees and their work practices.
Engineering
Admin
PPE
This method of control involves designing and/or adding physical safety features to plant or equipment.
This type of control is most effective when used in conjunction with measures mentioned above or as an interim control whilst more effective control measures are developed and implemented.
PPE is not a particularly effective control method and should only be used:
• When all other control measures are impractical; or
• In conjunction with other more effective, control measures.
3
High risk work licenses
• Unauthorised or unsafe operation
• Scaffolding work L2 C2 HR LR
• Only those persons who hold the appropriate Class of licence are to carry out high risk work, including operation of a boom lift with a boom length greater than 11m.
• All scaffolds from which a person or object can fall more than 4 metres must be erected, altered and dismantled by or under the direct supervision of a licensed scaffolder.
Workers
4
Electrical hazards
• Electrocution
• Electrical tools and equipment
• Overhead electricity lines
L2 C2 HR LR
• Ensure that safety switch is provided on switchboard, and check operation before connecting leads to board.
• All electric tools and equipment will be inspected, tested and tagged every 3 months and before use on construction work.
• Keep electric leads off ground to protect from damage.
• Connect electrical equipment to a protected outlet.
• Inspect tools and check operation of controls daily before use. Faulty electric tools will not be used.
• Maintain safe approach distance from energised electricity cables when erecting or working on scaffolds.
• Consult supply authority if work carried out will be placed at risk due to presence of electricity installations.
Workers
5
Hazardous manual tasks
• Strains, personal injury L3 C2 HR LR
• Provide sufficient personnel or mechanical aids to handle and move large, heavy or awkward loads.
• Provide safe means of transporting and moving loads on site to minimise manual movement of heavy items
• Provide manual handling training to all persons.
Working in outdoor environment
• Solar UV radiation;
• Heat stress, dehydration
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L2 C2 HR LR
• Persons working outdoors should wear UV protective clothing (long sleeved shirts, long trousers), broad-brim hats, tinted safety glasses and use 30+ sunscreen.
• Provide adequate supply of cool drinking water on site. Persons working in hot conditions should drink at least 500 ml/hr of water.
• Schedule work to avoid working in direct sunlight during hottest part of the day where practicable to do so.
Workers
Workers
8
Inspection of premises
•
Hazardous materials
• Asbestos products
• Lead-based paint
Work at heights
• Personal injury; death
L2 C2 HR LR
• Provide adequate supply of cool drinking water on site. Persons working in hot conditions should drink at least 500 ml/hr of water.
• Schedule work to avoid working in direct sunlight during hottest part of the day where practicable to do so.
• Inspect surfaces to be painted to determine if asbestos products or lead-based paint may be present. Do not disturb the material until the presence or otherwise of the suspected substance is verified.
• The person in control of the site must assume that any material is an ACM if it cannot be identified but a competent person reasonably believes that it is an ACM.
• Have sample tested by approved testing agency if asbestos is suspected.
• Check for presence of lead-based paint in older premises. Have sample tested if in doubt
• Follow safe procedures for safe removal of lead-based paint, including wash-down of all surfaces after removal.
Workers
L2 C2 HR LR
• Provide safe means of access to and for working at heights and where a person may fall from one level to another.
Workers
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Scaffolds
• Erection of scaffolds
• Working platforms
• Access and stability
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Use of ladders
• Falls of persons from ladders
L2 C2 HR LR
• All scaffolds must be erected by a competent person in accordance with supplier of manufacturer’s instructions.
• All scaffolds from which a person or object can fall more than 4m must be certified as safe to use by a licensed scaffolder.
• Tube and coupler scaffolds must only be erected by a licensed scaffolder.
• A person who erects, alters or dismantles a scaffold where there is a risk of a person or object falling 4 metres or less from the platform or structure does not require a high risk work licence; however, the person must be competent in the work and follow supplier’s instructions for its safe use.
• Work platforms must be at least 450mm wide and have a non-slip surface with guardrail, midrail and toe board or mesh infill to prevent falls of persons or objects from the work platform.
• Provide safe means of access to all parts of the scaffold and work platforms
• Check stability of scaffold daily before allowing any person to work from the scaffold.
• Lock wheels on mobile scaffolds before access by any person.
• Do not exceed the SWL of any component of the scaffold. SWL should be marked on all components.
• Ladders are to be an industrial type with a 120kg rating. Domestic ladders must not be use in a workplace.
Workers
Use of portable work platforms
• Falls or persons
L2 C2 HR LR
• Ladders should extend 1 metre above level being accessed and be secured against movement.
• Ladders should be used for access only except for light work which can be carried out with one hand.
• Folding portable work platforms must be opened fully and braces locked in position before use.
Workers
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L2 C2 HR LR
Workers
• All feet must be in contact with a firm, stable surface.
• All treads and platform surfaces must be clean and dry.
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Use of trestle scaffold
• Falls or persons
L2 C2 HR LR
• Trestles must be placed on a firm stable surface and prevented from slipping while in use.
• Suitable edge protection must be provided at each location where a person may fall more than heights specified by regulations in each state.
• Protection must be provided along outer edge, and at ends of platforms. Gap between platform and wall must not exceed 225mm.
Workers
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Use of height access equipment
• Operation of height access equipment
L2 C2 HR LR
• A licence for high risk work is not required to operate a scissor lift or boom lift with boom length under 11m; however, persons operating a scissor lift should hold a Verification of Competency (or similar) for the plant issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
• Persons carrying out work at heights from a scissor lift should be trained in safe working at heights.
Workers
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Preparation of work areas
• Hazardous manual tasks
L3 C3 MR LR
• Exercise care and obtain assistance when moving items to allow safe access to area to be painted. Ensure clear access to work areas and platforms and for movement of materials and equipment.
• Exercise care when handling and placing drop sheets. Tape edges down to minimise trip hazards. Tape any tears in drop sheets, or replace if severely damaged.
Workers
15
Cleaning and preparation of surfaces
• Dusts, noise
L3 C3 MR LR
• Avoid breathing dust when removing old paint from surfaces. Use sanding equipment fitted with dust collectors to reduce spread of dust.
• Wear eye and hearing protection when using powered sanders.
• Wear P1 particulate dust mask when sanding non-hazardous materials, or P2 particulate dust mask if hazardous materials are being disturbed or released.
• Prevent spread of dust generated during sanding to adjoining areas or neighbouring premises.
Workers
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Use of high pressure cleaners
• Loss of balance or control
• Spread of contaminant
• Personal injury L3 C3 MR LR
• Ensure that scaffolds are designed to withstand any wind loading placed on containments.
• Provide containment sheeting where high-pressure water blasting is used to remove old paint from surfaces.
• Wear face, hand and body protection when using pressure cleaning equipment particularly when working in confined areas.
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Repairing and filling surfaces
Paint mixing – all types
• Dust
L3 C3 MR LR
• Refer to SDS for precautions to follow during use of fillers.
Workers
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Paint mixing – solventbased paints
• Moving parts L3 C3 MR LR
• Wear P1 particulate dust mask and eye protection when sanding filler prior to painting. Workers
• Place stirrer into paint container before turning on, and allow stirrer to cease rotating before removing. Do not operate stirrer in vicinity of loose clothing or jewellery.
• Wear eye protection when mixing and stirring paints.
Workers
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• Fire risk L3 C3 MR LR
• SDS for solvent-based paints, thinners and other hazardous chemicals must be readily available at the workplace. Follow all precautions for safe handling and use, and provide recommended PPE to all workers.
• Provide adequate ventilation in work areas to remove atmospheric contaminants. Persons handling flammable materials should use appropriate protective equipment to protect skin, eyes and body.
• Store flammable liquids in a well-ventilated area away from heat, flames and hot work areas. Ensure containers are sealed correctly, and check regularly for leaks.
• Provide suitable spill control in storage/mixing areas.
Workers
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Application – solventbased paints
• Harmful exposure
L3 C3 MR LR
• Ensure adequate ventilation when applying solvent-based paints. If person complains of headaches, nausea or skin irritations, remove to fresh air immediately, and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
• Wash hands before eating, drinking or using the toilet.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes when applying paints and coatings. Wear eye and hand protection when using brushes or rollers above shoulder height.
Workers
21
Application – waterbased paints
• Inhalation of paint fumes
L3 C3 MR LR
• Ensure adequate ventilation when applying water-based paints and coatings.
• Wash hands before eating, drinking or using the toilet.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes when applying paints and coatings. Wear eye protection when using brushes or rollers above shoulder height.
Workers
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Application – spray painting
• Harmful exposure
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Cleaning of brushes, rollers, spray painting equipment, etc.
• Harmful contact
L3 C3 MR LR
• Provide containment sheeting to prevent spray drift to neighbouring premises where spray painting is used on exterior surfaces. Ensure that scaffolds are designed to withstand any wind loading placed on containments.
• Spray painting should be carried out in calm conditions where possible to minimise spread of vapours. Wear eye, face, hand and body protection, and respiratory protection recommended by paint manufacturer’s SDS.
• Post warning signs at entry to work area to prevent entry without authorisation and wearing of required PPE.
• Prevent entry of unprotected persons into vicinity of spray painting until air contamination has dispersed.
• Wear eye protection when cleaning equipment used for application of water-based paints.
Workers
L3 C3 MR LR
• Wear eye and hand protection when using thinners and solvents to clean equipment used for application of solvent-based paints Place waste liquids in a properly labelled sealed container for disposal.
Workers
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Site clean-up and waste disposal
• Slips, trips and falls of persons
• Environmental hazards L3 C3 MR LR
• Ensure that all scrap and waste material is removed and that area is clear of obstacles.
• Check safety of area before removing barricading.
• Dispose of used disposable equipment (brushes, rollers, drop sheets, sanding equipment, etc.) as general waste.
• Dispose of used solvents and waste paint and thinners, fillers and sealants as chemical waste at an approved chemical waste disposal facility.
Workers