Tiling & Waterproofing SWMS
Floor and wall tiling, wet-area waterproofing membranes, and silicone sealing in bathrooms and kitchens.
SWMS variants reference your state's WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
This SWMS covers the full scope of tiling and waterproofing work in Australian buildings — wall tiling in wet and dry areas, floor tiling including large-format porcelain and natural stone, tile cutting with wet saws and angle grinders, waterproofing membrane application in wet areas to AS 3740, shower and bathroom wet-area tiling systems, and tile removal and demolition on refurbishment work. It is written for licensed tilers, waterproofers, apprentices under direct supervision, and subcontractors engaged on residential, commercial, and multi-unit projects.
Tiling and waterproofing triggers high-risk construction work categories under Schedule 1 of the WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW). Category 17 — work in an atmosphere with a contaminant at a concentration exceeding the Workplace Exposure Standard — is triggered by respirable crystalline silica generation during tile cutting. Porcelain tiles have silica content of 60-70 percent, and dry-cutting with an angle grinder is one of the highest-exposure tasks in residential construction. Category 13 — powered mobile plant and powered tools — applies across saws, mixers, and floor-grinders. Section 299 of the WHS Regulation requires a SWMS before HRCW commences.
Hazards identified
10 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Accelerated and chronic silicosis, lung cancer, and autoimmune disease from dry cutting of high-silica porcelain (60-70 percent) and natural stone tiles without water suppression.
Respiratory sensitisation, chronic dermatitis, and central nervous system effects from solvent-based primers, isocyanate-containing polyurethane membranes, and amine-curing epoxies.
Alkaline burns with pH 12-13 thinset adhesive, chronic irritant dermatitis, and allergic sensitisation to chromium and cobalt in cementitious products.
Severe laceration or amputation from workpiece kickback on wet saws, unsecured tiles, and angle-grinder contact during edge cuts.
Bursitis, patellofemoral pain, and lumbar disc injury from prolonged kneeling and stooping during floor-tiling work on large areas.
Fracture and head injury from slipping on fresh adhesive, splashed waterproofing primer, or wet tile surfaces during and after installation.
Lumbar disc injury and shoulder strain from handling 25-40 kg tile cartons and handling 1200 x 3000 mm large-format porcelain sheets that require two-person lift.
Inhalation of respirable asbestos fibres from adhesive backings, vinyl sheet, and render contain asbestos in bathrooms and wet areas of pre-2004 buildings.
Permanent hearing loss and hand-arm vibration syndrome from sustained use of wet saws, angle grinders, and tile-removal tools.
Fatigue and shortcutting of waterproofing drying-time and dust controls where bathroom trades are stacked on a multi-unit programme.
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Eliminate dry cutting of porcelain and natural stone wherever practicable. All size cuts on wet saws with continuous water flow. On-tool water suppression for angle-grinder cuts. Dry cutting only where specifically impossible and with on-tool vacuum extraction.
- 2Respiratory protection for any residual dust: P2 half-face respirator minimum for short-duration wet-saw work; P3 PAPR hood for dry-cutting tasks or enclosed bathroom work. Selected per AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 against the current WES and the 1 December 2026 WEL transition.
- 3Waterproofing product selection: SDS review before use. Prefer low-VOC water-based primers and acrylic or polymer-modified cement membranes over solvent-based and isocyanate systems where performance permits.
- 4Ventilation during membrane application: doors and windows open, mechanical extraction for enclosed bathrooms, and a drying time allowance before the space is re-entered for tiling.
- 5Wet-saw safety: blade guard operational, water flow verified before each cut, workpiece supported on the full bed, and no free-hand cutting of small off-cuts.
- 6Knee protection and postural controls: gel knee-pads or knee cups, rotation of tilers from floor to wall tiling through the shift, and stand-up mixing and cutting to reduce sustained kneeling time.
- 7Large-format handling: two-person minimum for sheets over 1200 x 1200 mm and cartons over 25 kg. Suction-cup handlers for large-format porcelain. Mechanical trolleys for tile-carton movement on site.
- 8Skin protection: nitrile or butyl gloves selected against the SDS breakthrough data for waterproofing primers and two-pack epoxies; nitrile over cotton liner for cementitious grout; immediate skin-wash at any splash.
- 9Tile removal on pre-2004 wet areas: asbestos test before disturbance. Class B licensed removal for any confirmed bonded ACM in the adhesive bed, sheet backing, or wall render. Class A for friable material.
- 10Slip prevention: wet-floor signage at every threshold, progressive cleaning, and sequenced grouting and sealing to minimise wet-surface exposure to other trades.
- 11PPE baseline: safety glasses (AS/NZS 1337.1), hearing protection during cutting, dust mask appropriate to the task, chemical-resistant gloves for adhesive and membrane work, and safety footwear (AS/NZS 2210.3).
- 12All tilers hold a valid White Card (CPCCWHS1001). Waterproofers hold the relevant licence where required by state regulation (NSW waterproofing is licensed under the Home Building Act 1989).
- 13Psychosocial controls per WHS Regulation 2025 r55A-55D: realistic daily tile-laying targets, respect for waterproofing cure times, and a documented stop-work right where dust controls or programme pressure compromise safety.
- 14Health monitoring under WHS Regulation 2025 Part 7.1 for workers with ongoing RCS exposure.
- 15Conduct a daily pre-start toolbox talk covering scope, dust controls, waterproofing in progress, and walking routes. Record attendance.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Baseline for HRCW categorisation, SWMS content, and principal contractor interaction on tiling and waterproofing.
The February 2026 Code directly addresses RCS from porcelain and natural stone tile cutting.
Governs SDS management and ventilation for waterproofing primers, membranes, and adhesives.
Applies to floor-tiling postures and large-format handling.
Applies to tile removal on pre-2004 wet-area work.
Technical standard for wet-area waterproofing materials, falls, and flashings.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Dry cutting of porcelain and natural stone generates RCS that routinely exceeds the WES without engineering controls.
Wet saws, angle grinders, tile-removal tools, and mixers are core to the scope.
Where tiling work triggers HRCW categories — primarily through silica exposure — Section 299 of the WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW) requires the SWMS to be prepared before work commences, kept available on site for inspection, reviewed and updated if the work changes, and provided to the Principal Contractor on request. Failure by a PCBU to prepare or maintain a current SWMS for HRCW is an offence under Section 300; maximum penalty for a body corporate is $36,000 per offence and $7,200 for an individual. RCS exposure above the WES triggers additional health monitoring obligations under Part 7.1. Waterproofing in NSW is licensed work under the Home Building Act 1989.
Who this is for
- →Licensed tilers engaged on residential, commercial, and multi-unit projects.
- →Licensed waterproofers working on wet-area membrane application.
- →Tiling apprentices working under direct supervision of a qualified tradesperson.
- →Tiling subcontractors engaged by a Principal Contractor on wet-area packages.
- →Site supervisors and WHS leads reviewing tiling subcontractor SWMS during pre-start.
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word document (.docx, Word 2016 or newer compatible).
- ✓Title page with PCBU name, ABN, site address, project, and revision date fields.
- ✓Signed approval block for PCBU, Principal Contractor, and nominated tiling supervisor.
- ✓Hazard register with the 10 hazards above, each with consequence, inherent risk, controls, and residual risk scored on a 5x5 matrix.
- ✓Hierarchy-of-control measures cross-referenced to WHS Regulation sections and applicable Codes of Practice.
- ✓SDS summary template for each waterproofing product in use, with WES/WEL entries.
- ✓Consultation record for HSR sign-off and worker input per Section 47 of the WHS Act.
- ✓Worker sign-on register for daily acknowledgement with space for waterproofing licence numbers.
- ✓Legislation schedule pre-populated for NSW with variance table for VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT.
- ✓Emergency contacts, chemical spill procedure, and review-and-update log.
Worked example
A two-person tiling crew — one licensed tiler/waterproofer and one apprentice — is subcontracted to complete the waterproofing and tiling of 12 identical bathrooms in a unit complex in Parramatta. The scope involves acrylic waterproofing membrane, 600x600 mm porcelain floor tiles, and mosaic feature panels. The tiler completes this SWMS: porcelain cutting triggers HRCW Category 17 and requires a wet saw on a bench in a ventilated common area, with a P2 respirator for any residual dust; waterproofing triggers ventilation and SDS review with a 24-hour cure before tiling; the compressed unit-by-unit programme triggers a psychosocial review agreeing realistic daily targets. The SWMS is signed, SDS sheets are posted, and the crew acknowledges. Mid-way through unit six the electrician requests an emergency drill through a completed membrane; the work stops, the membrane is re-applied after the penetration, and the SWMS review records the incident.
Related legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) — Section 19 primary duty; Section 27 officer due diligence; Section 47 worker consultation.
- WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW) — r. 298-300 (SWMS); r. 49-51 (WES/WEL); r. 55A-55D (psychosocial); r. 368-381 (health monitoring).
- Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) — licensing of waterproofing work.
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) — tiling as regulated building work.
- Building Code of Australia (National Construction Code, Volume 2) — wet-area compliance.
Frequently asked questions
Does this SWMS cover engineered-stone benchtop installation?
No. Engineered stone is regulated separately — manufacture, fabrication, and installation of engineered stone with more than 1 percent silica is prohibited from 1 July 2024 across Australia. This SWMS covers ceramic and porcelain tiling and natural stone tiles.
How does this SWMS handle silica from porcelain cutting?
Wet cutting is the mandated control. On-tool water suppression and enclosed wet-saw benches are the preferred arrangement. Dry cutting is not permitted without on-tool vacuum extraction and P3 PAPR respiratory protection. The SWMS references the 2026 Silica Code of Practice and WHS Regulation Part 7.1 health monitoring.
Can I use this SWMS in Victoria?
You can use it as a starting point. Victoria operates under the OHS Act 2004 and OHS Regulations 2017. Waterproofing in Victoria is regulated under the Building Act 1993. Update the legislation schedule and cite WorkSafe Victoria Compliance Codes in place of SafeWork Australia Codes of Practice.
Does the SWMS cover tile removal?
Yes. Tile-removal hazards including asbestos disturbance on pre-2004 work are included. Confirmed asbestos requires a licensed removalist — Class B for non-friable bonded material, Class A for friable material.
How often does this SWMS need to be reviewed?
Review whenever the work, products, or hazards change materially, after an incident, or when a worker raises a concern. At minimum, every 12 months and at the start of each project. The 1 December 2026 WES-to-WEL transition is a mandatory trigger.
Is this SWMS compliant with the 1 July 2026 Section 26A changes?
Yes. From 1 July 2026, 34 approved Codes of Practice become legally binding under Section 26A of the amended WHS Act. This SWMS cites the currently-approved Codes that will become binding — Construction Work, RCS, Hazardous Chemicals, Hazardous Manual Tasks, and Asbestos Management.
Document details
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