In carrying out painting and decorating work we undertake to manage environmental issues in the following manner:
The following solvents are comprehended in the plan:
. Water
. Mineral turpentine (turps)
. Thinner & solvents
Clean (uncontaminated) water will be disposed of to normal drainage or to natural ground away from the works.
Water contaminated with water based paints will be disposed of by one of the following means:
1) By the addition of a flocculating agent in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, after which the clean water may be disposed of to drainage or natural ground and the settled residue will be allowed to dry and dispose of (with its container) off site.
2) Removal from the site to a recognised trade waste treatment plant.
Mineral turpentine contaminated with enamel paint will be disposed of by one of the following means:
1) By allowing the contaminated turps to stand, allowing the residue to sink to the bottom, after which, the clean turps at the top will be re-cycled for re-use. The residue will be allowed to stand unsealed until dry and disposed of (with its container) off site.
2) Removal from site to a recognised trade waste treatment plant.
Clean (uncontaminated) thinners will be retained for re-use.
Thinners contaminated with paint shall be treated in the same way as turps.
The following paint types are comprehended in the plan:
. Water based paints - acrylic & pva's
. Oil based paints - enamels & varnishes
. Epoxy based paints & coatings
Excess paints (of any type) will not be disposed of on site.
Empty containers may be deposited in a site bin within the builders environmental work plan.
The cleaning of brushes, rollers, spray equipment, etc that have been used with water based paints will be carried out using the two container method.
i.e. any excess paint should initially be removed with newspaper or rag. Two containers of clean water are then prepared. The first container shall be used for the substantial removal of paint to a point where the equipment is no more contaminated than the water.
The equipment will then be transferred to the second container for a final clean.
The wastewater resulting from this process shall then be disposed of as described under - solvent management.
Equipment contaminated by water based paint shall not be cleaned under a tap or where sullied water can escape.
If equipment requires more thorough cleaning than the two-container method allows, this activity will be carried out off site or where trade waste treatment facilities are available.
The cleaning of brushes, rollers, spray equipment, etc. that have been used with paints or varnishes using turps or thinners as a solvent may require several containers (according to the volume of cleaning required).
The same principle should apply (as above) with successive containers having progressively lower levels of contamination.
The waste solvents resulting from this process should be disposed of as described under - solvent management.
Further cleaning shall be carried out off site. Rags, newspaper etc used for cleaning purposes may be disposed of in a site bin where that use complies with the builder's environmental work plan. Otherwise rags, newspapers etc... used for cleaning shall be removed from site.
Please note: SA Water is currently formulating a new policy of disposal of water borne paint on commercial and residential building sites.
Staff employed in painting and decorating are familiar with this plan and the procedures contained in it.
Staff members also understand that the intention of this plan is "whilst carrying out their duties, they shall have minimal impact on the environment".
This principle shall extend to the personal habits and conduct of staff by avoiding littering or other activities which pollute.
In addition to the general issues (described above), any specific issues identified on site will be addressed on a separate Risk Assessment.
This environmental plan provides details on how we, the painting & decorating contractor will manage environmental issues associated with our work on the principal contractors site.
In carrying out painting & decorating work we undertake to manage health and safety issues in the following manner:
By ensuring work progresses in a tidy manner, work areas are kept clear of rubbish and are left in a clean and tidy condition.
By ensuring rubbish is placed where prearranged with the principal contractor or builder.
By ensuring materials and equipment are stored on site in a manner that does not cause injury or illness. Warning signs may be erected where appropriate.
By prohibiting smoking where flammable paints are stored.
By following manufacturers instructions and recommendations regarding the handling and storage of paint and chemicals. Making available copies of relevant material safety data sheets.
By ensuring that breathing protection will be worn whenever paint is applied through spraying.
By ensuring that breathing protection will be worn when applying polyurethane or two part epoxy compounds with a harsh brush or roller.
By ensuring that the breathing protection selected shall protect the wearer from hazardous vapour and shall comply with Australian Standard 1715 - selection, use & maintenance of respiratory protective devices.
By providing and ensuring the use of personal protective equipment where it is not practical to control the risk of injury by other means.
By the wearing of helmets where there is a risk of injury to the head, for instance when working underneath other trades.
By the wearing of appropriate footwear, understanding that for painting and decorating, shoe selection requires extra attention to be paid to the grip and flexibility of the shoe.
By ensuring that when using chemicals (including paints), the manufacturers requirements will be followed.
Where more information is required to make an informed decision, that information will be occupational health & safety obtained from the Manufacturers material safety data sheets which must be provided on the request of the purchaser.
By ensuring that portable electrical equipment will be of an industrial standard.
By ensuring that electrical equipment complies with the workplace health & safety amendment regulation 1996 part 15 division 3.
By the use of residual current devices with all electrical equipment, if appropriate, in liaison with the builder.
By locating power leads to minimise the risk of damage and away from puddles.
By keeping plugs dry.
By providing extra protection or relocating leads in high traffic areas.
By maintaining portable electrical equipment and power leads in a safe working condition.
By ensuring that double adaptors, piggy back plugs, and other lightly constructed domestic appliances will not be used for work purposes.
By ensuring all appliances are regularly safety tagged and tested as required by Legislation.
By ensuring that ladders will be of an industrial standard and comply with and be used in accordance with the requirements of Australian Standards 1892 occupational health & safety-portable ladders.
By tying off ladders to the structure, where there is a likelihood of the ladder becoming unstable. Attention will be given to base stability, particularly on soft or uneven soils - domestic ladders will not be used.
By maintaining ladders in a sound working condition with slip resistant feet and rungs and stiles maintained in good condition.
By ensuring that trestles are used to provide a working platform up to a maximum of 4m above ground.
Where two planks are used between trestles, plank clamps will be used.
By carrying out a risk assessment in domestic work where there is an uninterrupted fall of more than 3m.
By the use of fall protection system, in other work, above 3m and type of fall protection shall be determined by a risk assessment.
By ensuring a height limit of 2.4m will apply on commercial work.
By the erection of trestles in accordance with suppliers instructions, good practice and as outlined in Australian 1892 for trestle ladders and Australian standard 1576.5 for adjustable trestles.
By the erection of platforms as near as reasonable to level, or stepped rather than sloped (as on gables). Occupational health & safety 16.
By maintaining platforms in a good and sound condition.
By giving attention to placing trestles in a firm stable surface.
By ensuring that scaffolding will comply with the relevant parts of Australian Standard 1576.
By erecting scaffolding in a accordance with the suppliers instructions and as near as reasonable to level, and fully checked when being used.
By giving preference to the use of light weight equipment where possible in order to reduce the risk of manual handling injury.
By giving preference, where possible, to the use of aluminium trestles over heavier steel or timber trestles.
By training staff in correct manual handling procedures.
By encouraging the use of good manual handling techniques. For example:
. When bending or lifting try to vary duties or change posture.
. When bending to lift objects try to maintain an inclined back and bend knees to a semi-squat where the feet are stable on the ground (ie. The powerlifter stance).
. When lifting awkward and heavy items, use lifting equipment where possible.
. When equipment is not available, try team lifting where people are trained.
By providing adequate lighting in areas where the prevailing lighting may cause injury.
By the fitting of guards to appropriate equipment and ensuring that they are working effectively before tools and equipment are used.
By the adequate maintenance of equipment and their use in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
By the assessment as to whether warning signs may be required in some hazardous situations. These include when spraying painting, working overhead or where dangerous goods are stored.
By placing warning signs so as to be clearly visible to any persons approaching the area where a hazardous situation exists.
By encouraging employees to wear adequate clothing, and to use other protection when working in the sun.
By providing a first aid kit on the work site whilst work is in progress. It will be suitable for the type of injuries which may occur when painting & decorating.
By giving instruction to employees who are unfamiliar with health and safety issues on safe work procedures and practices.
By supplying a fire extinguisher where flammable paints are used or stored.
By taking all reasonable steps to prevent the work causing health and safety problems to other workers or to the public.
By ensuring that our employees are sufficiently trained to perform the work in a healthy and safe manner.
Where, in the execution of the work, existing paint is encountered of an age which might indicate that it has a lead content, the management of the paint shall be carried out in accordance with Australian Standards 4361.2 Guide to Lead Paint Management.
Typically this will involve the testing of the existing paint to verify lead content.
Where lead is proven to be present, management procedures, including removal or encapsulation will be carried out in accordance with the standard.
Any sanding of lead based paints will be carried out using equipment fitted with high efficiently particulate air filters.
All residues will be collected for safe disposal.
Note: it is recommended that builders and owners familiarise themselves with the provisions of Australian Standard 4361.2. to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the risk management procedures and regimes provided for in the document.