Timber / Floating Floor Installation SWMS

Floating Timber Floor Installation covers the installation of floating timber flooring — installing the floating timber floor — laying the interlocking timber or timber-composite boards over an underlay without fixing to the subfloor. It combines the flooring installation with the hazards of working with timber and timber products: the wood dust from any cutting and trimming, which is a respiratory hazard and a carcinogen in the case of hardwood dust, any formaldehyde from engineered or pressed timber products, the adhesives where used, and the manual handling and kneeling postures of flooring work. This document is written on the basis that floating timber flooring installation is carried out by competent installers with the wood-dust, formaldehyde, adhesive and manual-handling controls in place.

Floating Timber Floor Installation is carried out with the wood dust from cutting and trimming controlled at the source, recognising hardwood dust as a carcinogen and the workplace exposure standard for wood dust as it transitions from the workplace exposure standard to the workplace exposure limit framework, any formaldehyde and adhesives managed, and the manual handling and kneeling postures managed. The wood dust, any formaldehyde, the adhesives, and the manual handling are the considerations. This document coordinates the wood-dust, formaldehyde, adhesive and manual-handling controls so the floating timber flooring 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 wood dust at the source with on-tool dust extraction and ventilation, never relying on dry sweeping or compressed air, because wood dust — and hardwood dust in particular as a carcinogen — causes serious respiratory harm, with respiratory protection as required, recognising the workplace exposure standard for wood dust as it transitions from the workplace exposure standard to the workplace exposure limit framework.
2. 2Administrative: where engineered or pressed timber products are cut, manage the formaldehyde with ventilation and respiratory protection in addition to the wood-dust controls.
3. 3Engineering: provide ventilation where using solvent-based adhesives, primers, finishes or coatings, and control the flammable vapour and ignition sources, managing the chemicals to their safety data sheets.
4. 4Engineering: 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.
5. 5Administrative: use the cutting knives and tools safely, with sharp blades, correct technique and cut-resistant protection, to prevent lacerations.
6. 6Engineering: control the noise from the cutting tools, and have any electrical work and connection by a licensed electrician.
7. 7Administrative: maintain housekeeping and manage slips, trips and the work area, and coordinate with other trades and any occupants where working in an occupied or fit-out space.
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 lay floating timber flooring. The wood dust from cutting and trimming is controlled at the source with on-tool dust extraction and ventilation, never relying on dry sweeping or compressed air, because wood dust — and hardwood dust in particular as a carcinogen — causes serious respiratory harm, with respiratory protection, recognising the workplace exposure standard for wood dust as it transitions to the workplace exposure limit framework. Where engineered or pressed timber products are cut, the formaldehyde is managed with ventilation. The adhesives, where used, are managed to their safety data sheets with ventilation. The heavy timber packs are handled with mechanical aids and team lifting, and the kneeling and bending postures managed with knee protection, task rotation and breaks. The cutting tools and saws are used safely, and the noise controlled, with the electrical work by a licensed electrician. Housekeeping is maintained and slips and trips managed. The floating timber flooring is installed, 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