SWMS template · General Construction
Line Marking — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for road, car park, warehouse and sports surface line marking, covering traffic and plant separation, surface preparation and old line removal, airless spray paint application, thermoplastic hot-applied materials, glass beads and solvent clean-up.
- Category
- General Construction
- HRCW
- 2 categories
- Job steps
- 7
- Hazards rated
- 20
- PPE items
- 8
Line marking on roads and in car parks open to vehicles is High Risk Construction Work because you are working on or next to a traffic corridor in use by traffic. Truck-mounted and ride-on line markers are also powered mobile plant. A SWMS is required. Line marking inside a closed warehouse or on a sports court with no traffic or plant may not be HRCW, but warehouses usually have forklifts operating, so check before you remove those types from the SWMS.
Traffic is the main hazard. Line markers spend long periods bent over or walking backwards, looking at the line, not the traffic. On public roads, work to a traffic management plan prepared by a suitably qualified person, and use traffic controllers with the accreditation your state or territory road authority requires. Traffic control rules differ between jurisdictions, so check with your road authority. In car parks, agree a staged closure with the centre or owner, close each section with barriers and cones, and do not rely on drivers seeing you. Plan reversing movements of the line marking truck and use a spotter.
The materials bring their own hazards. Solvent-borne road paints are flammable and give off vapour, so check the SDS and keep ignition sources away. Airless spray equipment runs at high pressure and can inject paint into skin. Thermoplastic is melted in a gas-fired kettle and applied hot, at temperatures that cause severe burns on contact, so it needs heat-resistant gloves, long sleeves and a face shield. Gas cylinders for kettles must be secured and checked for leaks. Glass beads are a slip hazard on hard surfaces and an eye irritant.
Removing old lines by grinding or water blasting generates silica dust and noise and needs wet methods or extraction, hearing protection and respiratory protection. Long days on bitumen also mean heat stress, so plan water, shade and rest breaks.
Customise this template with the location and surface type, the traffic management plan or car park closure arrangement, who provides traffic control, the line marking equipment and plant, the paint or thermoplastic products and SDS references, gas cylinder arrangements, the line removal method, and the clean-up and waste disposal process.
Important: This SWMS template is a starting point only. Review and customise it for your workplace and task. The PCBU remains responsible for ensuring the SWMS is suitable for the work. Not legal advice.
High Risk Construction Work Types
- Work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway or other traffic corridor in use by traffic
- Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
Personal Protective Equipment
- High-visibility clothing (day and night rated as required)
- Steel-capped safety boots
- Safety glasses
- Chemical-resistant gloves (paint and solvents)
- Heat-resistant gloves, long sleeves and face shield (thermoplastic)
- Organic vapour respirator (solvent-borne paints in poorly ventilated areas)
- P2 respirator and hearing protection (line removal)
- Long-sleeve shirt, hat and sunscreen
Risk Assessment
RatingsCatastrophicHighModerateLow
Step 1Planning, traffic control and area closure
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Struck by traffic on a public road | Catastrophic | Work to an approved traffic management plan. Accredited traffic controllers set up and remove devices. Use a protection vehicle where the plan requires one. High-visibility clothing for everyone. | Moderate | Supervisor |
| Struck by vehicles in a car park | High | Agree a staged closure with the owner or centre manager. Close each section with barriers and cones before work. Do not mark in open aisles with vehicles moving. | Low | Supervisor |
| Forklifts operating in warehouses | High | Agree exclusion zones with the warehouse manager. Isolate the work area with barriers. Forklifts kept out of marked zones until lines are dry. | Low | Supervisor |
Step 2Surface preparation and removing old lines
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silica dust from grinding old lines | High | Use wet grinding or water blasting, or a grinder with on-tool extraction. P2 respirator. No dry sweeping of grinding dust. | Low | Line Marker |
| Noise from grinders, blowers and water blasting | Moderate | Hearing protection for operators and anyone nearby. Limit time on the tool. | Low | Line Marker |
| Water blasting injection injury | High | Trained operators only. Never point the lance at anyone. Keep others outside the barricaded zone. | Low | Line Marker |
Step 3Set-out
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working bent over and walking backwards near traffic | High | A second person watches for traffic and plant while set-out is done. Stay inside the closed area. Face oncoming traffic where possible. | Moderate | Line Marker |
| Back strain from repeated bending | Moderate | Use long-handled chalk lines and wheel measurers. Rotate tasks. | Low | Line Marker |
Step 4Applying paint with airless spray or walk-behind machine
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire from flammable paint and solvent vapour | High | No smoking or ignition sources near paint. Keep lids on drums. Store paint shaded and secured in the vehicle. | Low | Line Marker |
| Inhaling solvent vapour | Moderate | Read the SDS. Use water-borne paint where the job allows. In enclosed car parks, ventilate and wear an organic vapour respirator. | Low | Line Marker |
| Paint injection from airless spray gun | High | Trigger lock on when not spraying. Release pressure before cleaning tips or changing nozzles. Never wipe the tip with a finger. | Low | Line Marker |
| Run over by ride-on or truck-mounted marker | High | Trained operators only. Workers on foot stay where the operator can see them. Spotter for reversing. | Low | Plant Operator |
Step 5Thermoplastic application
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe burns from molten thermoplastic | High | Heat-resistant gloves, long sleeves and face shield. Load kettles slowly to avoid splashing. Keep others away from the kettle and applicator. | Low | Line Marker |
| Gas cylinder leak or fire at the kettle | High | Cylinders secured upright. Leak test connections with leak detection solution at each set-up. Fire extinguisher on the vehicle. Shut off gas when not in use. | Low | Line Marker |
| Fumes from overheated material | Moderate | Heat to the manufacturer's temperature range only. Stand upwind of the kettle. | Low | Line Marker |
Step 6Glass bead application and protecting wet lines
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slips on glass beads | Moderate | Apply beads only to wet lines. Sweep up spilt beads straight away. Boots with good tread. | Low | Line Marker |
| Eye irritation from bead dust | Moderate | Safety glasses while loading and dispensing beads. | Low | Line Marker |
| Vehicles driving on wet lines and staff re-entering early | Moderate | Keep closures in place until lines are dry to the paint manufacturer's time. Confirm with the supervisor before reopening. | Low | Supervisor |
Step 7Equipment clean-up and removal of traffic control
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin contact and fire from cleaning solvents | Moderate | Clean equipment away from ignition sources. Chemical-resistant gloves. Collect waste solvent and paint for licensed disposal, not into drains. | Low | Line Marker |
| Struck by traffic while removing devices | High | Remove devices in the reverse order to the plan. Accredited traffic controllers only. Reopen lanes only when all workers and equipment are clear. | Moderate | Traffic Controller |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.
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