Vinyl Floor Laying SWMS

Vinyl floor laying covers the installation of vinyl flooring — laying vinyl planks, tiles and sheet vinyl over the subfloor with the adhesives or click-fit system, and the trimming to fit. It combines the flooring installation with the considerations of vinyl laying: the adhesives and their vapour, the manual handling and kneeling postures, the cutting knives, the substrate preparation, and — critically where old vinyl is removed first — the asbestos in pre-1990 floor coverings and adhesives. This document is written on the basis that vinyl floor laying is carried out by competent installers with the adhesive, manual-handling, knife and asbestos controls in place.

Vinyl floor laying is carried out with the adhesives managed to their safety data sheets, the manual handling and kneeling postures managed, the cutting knives used safely, and — where old vinyl is removed first — any asbestos in pre-1990 floor coverings and adhesives identified and removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. The adhesives, the manual handling, the knives, and any asbestos are the considerations. This document coordinates the adhesive, manual-handling, knife and asbestos controls so the vinyl floor is laid safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

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

1. 1Administrative: 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.
2. 2Administrative: 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.
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: where substrate preparation is required, control any respirable crystalline silica and dust at the source with water suppression or extraction and respiratory protection.
7. 7Administrative: manage slips on the new or wet floor, and provide ventilation where working in enclosed areas with adhesives.
8. 8Administrative: 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.
9. 9Administrative: 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.
10. 10Administrative: 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.
11. 11Administrative: 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.
12. 12PPE: 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.
13. 13Administrative: 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.
14. 14Administrative: 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 vinyl flooring. Where old vinyl is removed first, any asbestos in the pre-1990 floor coverings and adhesives — including black bitumen adhesive (blackjack) — is assumed present until determined otherwise by a licensed assessor and removed by a licensed asbestos removalist, with a Class A licence holder where removal requires grinding or sanding, and the dust from removal controlled. The new vinyl is laid with the adhesives managed to their safety data sheets and ventilation provided, particularly in enclosed areas. The manual handling and kneeling postures are managed with mechanical aids, knee protection, task rotation and breaks. The cutting knives and trimming tools are used safely with sharp blades and correct technique. Where substrate preparation is required, any respirable crystalline silica and dust is controlled at the source. Slips on the new floor are managed, and housekeeping maintained. The vinyl floor is laid, 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