Lead paint removal SWMS, drafted for your job
Removing old lead paint can spread fine dust beyond the work face and carry contamination into vehicles, homes and occupied rooms on clothing and tools. Describe the job and site so your SWMS reflects the work, then review the draft with the crew before starting.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Lead paint removal
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Assess coatings and removal method | Unknown lead and occupied areas | High | Identify the coating; plan containment and clean facilities |
| 2 | Set the contained work area | Escaping chips and dirty access | High | Protect surfaces; separate clean and dirty routes |
| 3 | Remove the lead coating | Lead dust and stripper splashes | High | Use wet or captured removal with suitable protection |
| 4 | Collect debris and clean tools | Re-suspended lead and contaminated gear | High | Use wet cleaning or suitable hazardous-dust vacuuming |
| 5 | Check the area and change clothing | Residual dust leaving the work zone | High | Check cleaning; contain clothing before leaving |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your lead paint removal SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
High-risk work on this job
This task is not usually high-risk construction work. If your job involves any category, tick it when you start and the SWMS covers it.
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a lead paint removal job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Lead dust released while scraping old painted timber
High- Assess the coating and choose a wet or captured removal method instead of open dry scraping
- Isolate the work face and use suitable extraction and fitted respiratory protection
- 2
Lead chips escaping from window and door preparation
High- Contain the work with sealed floor protection and controlled entry
- Collect paint chips at the source and keep occupants outside the removal area
- 3
Lead residue carried into vehicles on work clothing
High- Provide separate dirty and clean areas with a planned change and wash routine
- Remove contaminated clothing before leaving and contain it for suitable cleaning
- 4
Lead dust spread by sweeping stripped paint debris
High- Use suitable hazardous-dust vacuuming and wet cleaning instead of dry sweeping
- Seal waste and check the work area before removing containment
- 5
Stripper chemicals splashing during lead coating removal
Medium- Choose a less hazardous removal product and maintain ventilation
- Follow product directions and use gloves and splash protection suited to the chemical
- 6
Lead fumes from heating old painted surfaces
High- Avoid flame burning and high-heat stripping of suspect lead coatings
- Use the assessed removal method and stop if the coating smokes or chars
- 7
Hand-to-mouth lead transfer during removal breaks
High- Keep food, drink and smoking outside the contaminated work area
- Wash hands and face before breaks and use clean storage for personal items
How the job usually runs
- 1Assess coatings and removal methodUnknown lead and occupied areas → Identify the coating; plan containment and clean facilities
- 2Set the contained work areaEscaping chips and dirty access → Protect surfaces; separate clean and dirty routes
- 3Remove the lead coatingLead dust and stripper splashes → Use wet or captured removal with suitable protection
- 4Collect debris and clean toolsRe-suspended lead and contaminated gear → Use wet cleaning or suitable hazardous-dust vacuuming
- 5Check the area and change clothingResidual dust leaving the work zone → Check cleaning; contain clothing before leaving
PPE for this job
- Fitted respiratory protection for lead removal
- Disposable protective coveralls
- Gloves suited to the removal product
- Sealed eye protection
- Protective footwear kept out of clean areas
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Lead paint removal SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
Does it cover dry scraping old lead paint?
The draft prioritises wet or captured methods instead of open dry scraping. Describe the coating assessment and removal equipment; review containment, extraction and worker protection before choosing a method for the surface.
Does it cover keeping lead out of an occupied house?
Yes. Describe the rooms, occupants and access. The draft covers isolation, captured debris, cleaning and separate dirty clothing; check those arrangements against the site before removal and before occupants return.
How much does a lead paint removal SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
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