Self-Levelling Floor SWMS

Self-levelling floor installation covers the preparation and pouring of self-levelling compounds and screeds — preparing the substrate and applying the cementitious or resin self-levelling compound to create a smooth, level floor base. It combines the substrate preparation, which can release respirable crystalline silica, with the wet cementitious compound, which is alkaline and can burn skin, the mixing plant, and any asbestos in old levelling compounds being removed first. This document is written on the basis that self-levelling floor installation is carried out by competent installers with the silica, wet-compound, plant and asbestos controls in place.

Self-levelling floor installation is carried out with respirable crystalline silica from substrate preparation controlled at the source, the alkaline wet cementitious compound managed against skin burns, the mixing plant operated safely, and — where old levelling compound is removed first — any asbestos identified and removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. The silica from preparation, the alkaline wet compound, the mixing plant, and any asbestos are the considerations. This document coordinates the silica, wet-compound, plant and asbestos controls so the self-levelling floor is installed safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Engineering: control respirable crystalline silica from grinding, cutting or surface preparation of concrete, terrazzo or screeds at the source — on-tool water suppression or H-class dust extraction — never dry-grinding uncontrolled, with respiratory protection as required, recognising the workplace exposure standard for silica reduces on 1 December 2026.
2. 2PPE: protect skin and eyes against alkaline wet cementitious self-levelling compound, screed and mortar, which can cause burns and dermatitis, with waterproof gloves, protective clothing and prompt washing of any contact.
3. 3Administrative: assume floor coverings, adhesives, levelling compounds and underlays in buildings built or refurbished before 1990 contain asbestos until determined otherwise by a licensed asbestos assessor — including sheet vinyl, vinyl and cork tiles, black bitumen adhesive (blackjack), and old levelling compounds — and do not disturb, grind or sand them uncontrolled.
4. 4Administrative: where asbestos-containing floor coverings or adhesives are present, have them removed by a licensed asbestos removalist to the asbestos Codes of Practice, and where removal requires grinding or sanding that makes the material friable, a Class A asbestos removal licence holder must carry out the work, with the appropriate respiratory protection, dust suppression and licensed disposal.
5. 5Engineering: control dust from mixing the dry compound with extraction and ventilation, with respiratory protection, and use the mixing plant safely.
6. 6Engineering: use mechanical aids and team lifting for the heavy rolls, packs, bags and panels, and manage the awkward kneeling and bending postures of flooring work with knee protection, task rotation and breaks.
7. 7Administrative: manage slips on the wet compound, avoid eye and skin contact with the compound, and where the compound is a resin system manage the chemicals to their safety data sheets.
8. 8Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001) where the work is construction work, with the flooring, asbestos-awareness and any other competencies required for the work.
9. 9Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
10. 10Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
11. 11PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, knee protection for kneeling work, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
12. 12Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.
13. 13Administrative: ensure the work is carried out by competent flooring installers, with any electrical work by a licensed electrician and any asbestos removal by a licensed asbestos removalist, under the applicable requirements.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

An installer is engaged to pour a self-levelling compound over a concrete substrate. Respirable crystalline silica from grinding and preparing the substrate is controlled at the source with on-tool water suppression or H-class extraction, never dry-grinding uncontrolled, with respiratory protection, recognising the silica exposure standard reduces on 1 December 2026. Where old levelling compound is removed first, any asbestos is assumed present until determined otherwise by a licensed assessor and removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. The alkaline wet cementitious compound is managed against skin and eye burns with waterproof gloves, protective clothing and prompt washing, and eye and skin contact avoided. Dust from mixing the dry compound is controlled with extraction and ventilation, and the mixing plant used safely. The heavy compound bags are handled with mechanical aids, and the kneeling and bending postures managed. Slips on the wet compound are managed. Where the compound is a resin system, the chemicals are managed. The floor is poured and levelled, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — the asbestos provisions and licensing, the hazardous chemicals and silica provisions, and the Section 291 high risk construction work and SWMS duties where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The asbestos Codes of Practice (managing and controlling asbestos, and safely removing asbestos), the hazardous chemicals and silica requirements, and the respiratory protection standards AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716, are called up by the relevant safety legislation, together with the construction and product requirements.
• Asbestos removal is licensed under each state and territory's asbestos licensing scheme, with friable asbestos and asbestos made friable by the removal method requiring a Class A asbestos removal licence holder; electrical work is carried out by a licensed electrician.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the asbestos, hazardous chemicals and high risk construction work provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions