Painting · Australia

SWMS for epoxy floor coating

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from Safe Work Australia and state regulator guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated 9 November 2026

A SWMS is required by law if epoxy floor coating includes any high risk construction work, such as working where someone could fall more than 2 metres. Many principal contractors ask for one either way.

It must list the hazards, the controls and how they will be put in place, monitored and reviewed, and the workers must be consulted and sign before starting. The main hazards are silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles, loud noise, angle grinder injuries and confined space entry.

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SWMS example: epoxy floor coating

This is a complete SWMS for epoxy floor coating, with 5 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

Epoxy floor coating · Painting · Example

Document SWMS-001 · Rev 1

High risk construction work covered

None for this task on its own. Tick any that apply on your site.

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Close the area and set up fresh air ventilation	Hazardous chemicals Confined space entry	High	Choose the least harmful product that does the job, for example water-based instead of solvent-based. Substitute Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, or use fans and extraction in closed rooms. Engineering Hazardous chemicals: see step 3 for the full controls Administrative Do the work from outside the space where you can, using cameras or long-reach tools. Eliminate Isolate and lock out all pipes, power and moving parts going into the space. Isolate Test the air for oxygen, flammable and toxic gases before entry, and keep testing during the work. Engineering Use forced ventilation to keep the air clean. Engineering Issue a confined space entry permit before anyone goes in. Only trained workers enter. Administrative Keep a trained standby person outside at all times, in contact with those inside. Administrative Set up written first aid and rescue procedures and rescue gear before entry, and practise them (WHS Regulations r.74). Never go in to rescue without the right gear. Administrative Wear a harness for retrieval and the respirator the air test calls for. PPE	Medium
2	Grind the slab with extraction to prepare the surface	Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles Loud noise Angle grinder injuries	Extreme	If the job involves engineered stone: do not supply, fabricate or install engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs (banned since 1 July 2024). Removing, repairing or making minor changes to existing engineered stone is only allowed with water suppression or on-tool extraction, a fitted respirator, and written notice to the regulator before the work starts. Eliminate Order materials cut to size, or use low-dust methods such as score and snap or a block splitter. Substitute Cut outdoors or in a separate area, with other people well away and upwind. Isolate Use water on the blade or on-tool dust extraction connected to an H-class vacuum. Engineering Clean up with a vacuum or wet methods. Never dry sweep or use compressed air. Administrative If the cutting, grinding or drilling is high risk, prepare a silica risk control plan (or include the r.529CA assessment in this SWMS), train workers in silica risks and give them the plan before work starts. Administrative Wear a fit-tested P2 (or better) respirator. PPE Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Substitute Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Isolate Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Engineering Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Administrative If you have to shout to be heard 1 metre away, wear hearing protection. Administrative Keep exposure below 85 dB(A) over 8 hours. Give hearing tests to workers who often need hearing protection. Administrative Use a guarded saw or a different tool where you can. Substitute Keep the guard on and use the side handle. Never remove the guard. Engineering Use the right disc for the job, rated for the grinder's speed. Check it for cracks first. Administrative Only trained people change discs, with the grinder unplugged or the battery out. Administrative Keep both hands on the grinder and let the disc stop before putting it down. Administrative	Medium
3	Mix epoxy with gloves and goggles, and avoid skin contact	Hazardous chemicals Eye injuries	Medium	Choose the least harmful product that does the job, for example water-based instead of solvent-based. Substitute Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, or use fans and extraction in closed rooms. Engineering Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use and keep a register of hazardous chemicals on site. Administrative Keep chemicals in labelled containers. Never decant into drink bottles. Administrative Store chemicals away from heat, food and drink, and keep products that react with each other apart. Administrative Have eye wash and a spill kit nearby, and wash hands before eating. Administrative Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles as listed on the SDS. PPE Use a respirator with the right cartridge if the SDS calls for one. PPE Use tool guards and screens to stop flying particles. Engineering Use dust extraction and water to keep dust out of the air. Engineering Keep others out of the area when cutting, grinding or chipping. Administrative Keep an eye wash station or eye wash bottles on site. Administrative Wear safety glasses at all times, goggles for dust and chemicals, and a face shield for grinding. PPE	Medium
4	Roll coats on, working towards the exit	Repetitive work and awkward postures Flammable liquids and gases	High	Use tools that cut the effort: powered screwdrivers, long-handled tools and extension poles for overhead work. Substitute Set work up at waist height on benches or trestles where you can. Engineering Use light tools with good grips, and keep blades and bits sharp. Engineering Rotate tasks and take short breaks every hour on repetitive work. Administrative Warm up before heavy physical work and report aches and pains early. Administrative Wear knee pads for kneeling work and gloves for grip. PPE Use non-flammable or water-based products where you can. Substitute Keep ignition sources away: no smoking, no hot work and no running engines near flammables. Isolate Store fuels and solvents in approved, closed containers in a ventilated area away from the work. Engineering Refuel equipment outdoors with the engine off and cool. Administrative Keep only what you need for the day on site. Administrative Store gas cylinders upright, secured and outdoors. Administrative Keep a suitable fire extinguisher where flammables are used or stored. Administrative Wear chemical gloves and safety glasses when pouring or mixing. PPE	Medium
5	Keep the floor closed until cured and dispose of empty kits	Slips and trips Poor housekeeping and waste	Medium	Plan walkways and keep them clear of materials, hoses and leads. Eliminate Run leads and hoses overhead on hooks or stands, or along walls, not across walkways. Engineering Fill or cover holes, and lay boards or mats on muddy access paths. Engineering Clean up offcuts, packaging and spills as you go, not at the end of the day. Administrative Keep work areas, stairs and access paths well lit. Administrative Wear safety boots with good grip, laced up. PPE Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Eliminate Put skip bins and waste chutes close to the work. Engineering Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE	Low

PPE

Half-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters)Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile)Safety gogglesKnee padsSteel cap bootsOverallsSafety glassesHearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)Face shieldCut-resistant glovesWork gloves

Plant and equipment

Angle grinderH-class vacuumHand tools

Emergency

Call 000. Add the nearest hospital, the assembly point and the first aider for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this SWMS.

Free SWMS template for epoxy floor coating

Word (.docx) and PDF, A4 landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this SWMS

Pre-start checklist for epoxy floor coating

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

SWMS read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
Water suppression or on-tool extraction fitted; respirators fit tested
Confined space permit, atmosphere test and standby person in place
First aider, first aid kit and emergency number (000) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: half-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters), chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile), safety goggles, knee pads

The safe sequence of work

Close the area and set up fresh air ventilation
Grind the slab with extraction to prepare the surface
Mix epoxy with gloves and goggles, and avoid skin contact
Roll coats on, working towards the exit
Keep the floor closed until cured and dispose of empty kits

Hazards to watch on epoxy floor coating

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 1Confined space entryBad air, toxic gas or engulfment in a tank, pit, sewer or manhole overcomes workers and the people who try to rescue them.

Step 4Flammable liquids and gasesPetrol, solvents, thinners and LPG catch fire or explode when vapour reaches a spark, flame or hot surface.

Step 2Angle grinder injuriesThe disc shatters, binds or kicks back, causing deep cuts to legs and hands or eye injuries.

Step 3Eye injuriesFlying chips, dust, chemicals or sparks get into the eye and cause damage or blindness.

Step 4Repetitive work and awkward posturesDoing the same movement for hours, kneeling or working overhead causes long-term damage to joints, muscles and tendons.

Step 1, 3Hazardous chemicalsGlues, sealants, solvents, acids, cleaners and cement burn skin and eyes or cause breathing problems and poisoning.

Highest risk on epoxy floor coating: Extreme before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the Australia 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely and catastrophic becomes unlikely and major).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

Will anyone work more than 2 metres off the ground?
Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a skylight, clear sheet, fibro or other fragile roofing?
Will you use a scaffold or mobile tower?

Why SWMS get rejected

Principal contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

It is generic: another site address, tasks that are not on this job, or no sign it was reviewed for this site. WorkSafe WA says a generic SWMS may not meet the regulations unless it is reviewed and amended for the workplace.
The HRCW boxes are not ticked, or the ticks do not match the tasks (for example a roof job with no falls box ticked).
Falls are controlled only by "be careful", training or a harness, with no edge protection or scaffold and no reason why higher controls are not reasonably practicable.
Workers will clip on to a harness but there is no rescue plan for someone left hanging.
The "how controls are implemented, monitored and reviewed" part is missing, or it says the same thing on every row.
No worker sign-on, no person responsible for compliance, or a date given to the principal contractor that is before they actually received it.
Licence or White Card details are missing for workers operating plant or doing licensed high risk work.

Questions

Do I need a SWMS for epoxy floor coating?

Who signs the SWMS?

The person conducting the business (PCBU) or their supervisor prepares it with the workers, and every worker doing the high risk work signs to show they were consulted and understand it. Give a copy to the principal contractor before work starts.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this SWMS, and every revised version, until the high risk construction work is finished, where workers and inspectors can see it on site. If a notifiable incident happens during the work, keep it for at least 2 years after the incident.

What PPE is needed for epoxy floor coating?

Usually Half-face respirator (P2 or P3 filters), Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile), Safety goggles, Knee pads, Steel cap boots, Overalls, Safety glasses, Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), Face shield, Cut-resistant gloves, Work gloves. The site rules may add more, so check with the principal contractor.

More painting SWMS

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Related jobs in other trades

TilingWet Area WaterproofingAlso involves hazardous chemicals RoofingRoof Tile ReplacementAlso involves angle grinder injuries DemolitionInternal Strip OutAlso involves hazardous chemicals ConcretingConcrete Slab PourAlso involves repetitive work and awkward postures ConcretingConcrete Cutting and Core DrillingAlso involves silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles Air conditioning and refrigerationSplit System InstallationAlso involves silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkSilica Dust Toolbox talkHearing Protection and Noise Toolbox talkSlips, Trips and Falls Toolbox talkConfined Spaces

Blank SWMS template: free SWMS templates. Also for other countries: United Kingdom (RAMS) · United States (JHA) · Canada (FLHA)