Tiling Work — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for wall and floor tiling operations including substrate preparation, adhesive application, tile cutting, grouting, and silicone application in compliance with Australian WHS legislation.
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Tiling work is not classified as High Risk Construction Work under the model WHS Regulations, but it involves significant health hazards — particularly from respirable crystalline silica (RCS) — that have received increased regulatory attention since 2019 following the identification of accelerated silicosis among engineered stone benchtop installers. While floor and wall tiling with ceramic and porcelain tiles carries lower silica risk than engineered stone, large-format porcelain tiles can contain silica at levels above 40% by weight, and dry cutting generates RCS concentrations well above the 0.05 mg/m³ TWA exposure standard. Wet cutting with an integrated water-suppression tile saw is the mandatory control for silica-containing tiles; dry angle grinding of tiles is prohibited without engineering controls.
Grout and tile adhesive products present dermal and respiratory hazards. Portland cement-based grouts and adhesives are strongly alkaline (pH 12–13) and cause chemical burns with prolonged skin contact — knee pads, waterproof gloves, and prompt washing of skin contact are essential controls. Some epoxy grout systems contain reactive hardeners that are potential skin sensitisers; where sensitisation occurs, continued exposure can cause occupational asthma or contact dermatitis. SDS review and appropriate glove selection (minimum nitrile) are mandatory before using epoxy or polyurethane-based products.
Manual handling is a significant injury risk in tiling due to the weight of large-format tiles, adhesive buckets, and the sustained kneeling posture required for floor tiling. Large-format tiles (above 600 × 600 mm) require two-person lifts or mechanical tile lifters, and extended floor tiling should be performed using kneeling pads to reduce knee contact pressure and avoid prolonged static postures.
Customise this template by documenting the specific tile products and their silica content (from the product SDS or manufacturer data), the cutting method and equipment, the adhesive and grout products and their SDS references, and the manual handling assessment for large-format tiles. Where engineered stone trim tiles or benchtop offcuts are to be tiled, additional silica controls and a specific engineered stone risk assessment are required.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work involving the disturbance of a structure or part of a structure that contains or is likely to contain asbestos
Risk Assessment
1.Substrate preparation and waterproofing
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos exposure during removal of old tiles and adhesive | Catastrophic | Tiles installed before 1990 and associated adhesive must be assessed for asbestos by a licensed asbestos assessor before removal. Do not mechanically chip, grind, or saw tiles presumed to contain asbestos. If asbestos is confirmed, engage a Class A or Class B licensed removalist as appropriate. If legacy tiles are to remain as the substrate (encapsulate-in-place method), the surface must be firmly adhered with no loose edges, and this approach must be approved by the asbestos assessor. Keep a copy of the asbestos report on site at all times. | Low | Site Supervisor / Asbestos Assessor |
| Chemical exposure from waterproofing membrane and primer products | Moderate | Review the SDS for all waterproofing and priming products before use. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses during application. Ensure adequate ventilation (minimum 6 air changes per hour) when applying solvent-based waterproofing or primer in enclosed wet areas such as shower recesses or bathrooms. If ventilation is inadequate, use a half-face respirator with OV/P2 combination cartridge. Never mix two-part epoxy or polyurethane waterproofing products without reading the mixing ratio and the SDS. | Low | Tiler |
2.Tile cutting with wet bench saw
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye and skin injury from tile shard and water spray during cutting | High | Wear safety glasses or goggles and chemical-resistant gloves at all times during wet saw tile cutting. Ensure the saw's water cooling system is operational and provides consistent flow to the blade before commencing. Keep both hands firmly on the tile and use the saw fence or guide for straight cuts. Use a tile vice or push-through jig for narrow cuts. Never hold a tile with fingers within 30 mm of the blade. Clean up tile shard waste regularly from the saw tray to prevent slip hazards. | Low | Tiler |
| Silica dust inhalation from porcelain and engineered stone tile cutting | Catastrophic | Porcelain and engineered stone tiles contain high concentrations of crystalline silica (up to 95% for engineered stone). Wet cutting using a bench wet saw with continuous water suppression is mandatory for all porcelain and engineered stone tiles — dry cutting is prohibited. Wear a minimum P2 half-face respirator during all cutting, even with wet suppression, as mist droplets can carry respirable dust particles. Keep the cutting area ventilated. Monitor and replace water in the saw reservoir regularly to maintain suppression effectiveness. Do not dry-sweep tile dust — use a wet vacuum. | Moderate | Tiler / Safety Officer |
3.Tile adhesive mixing and application
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory and skin sensitisation from epoxy or cement adhesive | Moderate | Mix powdered cement-based adhesives in a well-ventilated area. Wear a P2 respirator during mixing of dry powder adhesive. Wear nitrile gloves when mixing and applying any tile adhesive — particularly two-part epoxy adhesives, which are strong skin sensitisers. Review the SDS for the specific adhesive and follow manufacturer mixing ratios. Do not mix more adhesive than can be used within the pot life. Change gloves if contaminated and wash hands before eating, drinking, or using the toilet. | Low | Tiler |
4.Floor tiling and grouting
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal injury from sustained kneeling and floor-level working postures | High | Wear knee pads rated for hard-floor work throughout all floor-level tiling. Use a kneeling board or foam mat on hard tile surfaces. Pre-mix grout in a standing position before applying at floor level. Take regular standing breaks of 5 minutes for every 30 minutes of kneeling work. Perform daily stretches for knees, lower back, and wrists. Report persistent knee or wrist pain to the site supervisor. Where possible, tile in sections and alternate between floor and wall tiling to vary working postures. | Moderate | Tiler |
| Cement burn from prolonged grout and adhesive skin contact | Moderate | Wet cement grout (pH 12–13) causes delayed cement burns with prolonged skin contact — burns may not be immediately painful. Wear nitrile or rubber gloves throughout all grouting operations. Change gloves if they become soaked with grout. If grout contacts skin, wash immediately and thoroughly with clean water. Keep clean water and a first-aid kit accessible on-site at all times. Grouting work boots should be cleaned regularly during the day to avoid grout hardening inside the boot. | Low | Tiler |
5.Tile and material manual handling
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back strain from lifting heavy large-format tiles | High | Large-format tiles (600 mm x 600 mm and larger) can weigh 10–25 kg each. Two-person lifts are required for tiles exceeding 15 kg. Use a purpose-built tile carrying clamp for all large-format tiles to prevent manual grip failure. Deliver tile pallets to the room of installation using a pallet jack — do not carry tile boxes further than 5 metres. Store tiles vertically in A-frame racks rather than flat-stacked where possible. Conduct a manual task risk assessment for the specific tile weight, format, and installation method. | Moderate | Tiler / Site Supervisor |
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.