Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412:body:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00412
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 23265–26111

surface preparation (such as preparing old vehicles for spray painting) could be exposed to lead when removing and sanding lead-based paints.
Paint that contains lead can no longer be purchased in Australia and the use of lead-free paints
will eventually eliminate exposure to lead and the associated risks.
The WHS Regulations contain specific requirements for working with lead including the identification of lead risk work and removing a worker from lead risk work in certain circumstances.

Hazardous chemical registers
You must maintain a register of the hazardous chemicals used, handled or stored at the workplace. The purpose of this register is to provide a source of information for both you, your workers and anyone else affected by a hazardous chemical, and to assist in the management of substances used or generated in spray painting or powder coating activities. The register must list all the hazardous chemicals at your workplace and their current SDS, for example for any paints, coatings, solvents and thinners, fillers, strippers and cleaning products that are hazardous.
The register must be readily accessible to anyone who is likely to be affected by a chemical
and workers who are involved in using, handling or storing a chemical in the register.

2.2 Assessing the risks
Hazards have the potential to cause different types and severities of harm, ranging from minor discomfort to a serious injury or death. For example, exposure to spray painting or powder coating chemicals can adversely affect a worker's health in ways ranging from minor illness, for example headaches to major illness, for example asthma.
Many liquid paints and powder paints contain flammable substances. Spray painting vapours
and mists, as well as powder paints used in powder coating can spread rapidly, particularly in
an enclosed space, and create a potentially explosive atmosphere. If the aerosol mist, vapour
or powder paint is ignited, for example by static electricity, a lit cigarette or spark, it could result
in an explosion that could destroy the building and kill or injure anyone nearby.Each of the outcomes involves a different type of harm with a range of severities and each has a different likelihood of occurrence.
Under the WHS Regulations, a risk assessment is not mandatory for spray painting or powder coating, however it is required for specific situations, for example when working with asbestos.
In many circumstances a risk assessment will assist in determining the control measures that should be implemented. It will help to:
    * identify which workers are at risk of exposure
    * determine what sources and processes are causing that risk
    * identify if and what kind of control measures should be implemented, and
    * check the effectiveness of existing control measures.

The following questions may help