Educational guides on how workplace documents fit together — which document is typically completed before another, what is used alongside it and what follows. Connected to workplace forms, checklists and registers. Informational only — not legal advice; employers remain responsible for required documents and compliance.
What a spray painting workflow is
Spray painting applies coatings as a fine mist, creating airborne solvent and paint hazards and, with flammable products, a fire and explosion risk. The workflow is the chain of documents around it — the COSHH assessment, ventilation, respiratory protection, and ignition control where flammables are used.
This page is an educational overview of how those documents connect. It is not an official procedure, is not jurisdiction-specific, and using it does not authorise any spraying or guarantee compliance — the employer decides what their arrangements must contain.
Why these documents connect
- The COSHH assessment identifies the solvent and paint hazards.
- Ventilation or a spray booth controls the airborne mist.
- Respiratory protection guards the operator’s breathing.
- Ignition control prevents fire and explosion with flammable products.
- A permit may control spraying that affects shared areas.
The typical sequence
In a typical example, a risk assessment and COSHH assessment are completed first and are normally required before work; ventilation, respiratory protection and ignition control are arranged. Any permit is issued and used with the assessment.
Spraying is carried out within the booth or ventilated area with the right protection and ignition sources removed; others are kept clear of the mist. On completion, the area is ventilated and cleaned, waste is handled appropriately, and a record is completed afterwards.
Who owns each step
- The employer owns the system and decides who is competent to spray.
- A competent person prepares the COSHH assessment and controls.
- The operator uses the booth, ventilation and respiratory protection.
- A supervisor keeps others clear and controls ignition sources.
- Maintenance keeps ventilation and equipment serviced.
Common mistakes
- Spraying without a COSHH assessment of the products used.
- Inadequate ventilation, so mist builds up.
- Respiratory protection that does not fit or is not suitable.
- Ignition sources left near flammable products.
- Not cleaning down or handling waste properly.
Records and retention (high level)
COSHH assessments and any monitoring are generally kept so the work can be traced. How long they are retained depends on the employer, the work and the applicable rules.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Spraying documents are commonly compiled, signed and stored as PDFs and kept as records. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make any document official or guarantee compliance.
Employer notes
- Assess the products and control mist, vapour and ignition.
- Provide suitable ventilation and fit-tested respiratory protection.
- Keep ignition sources away from flammable products.
- Keep COSHH assessments and any monitoring as records.
Worker notes
- Do not spray without ventilation and the right respiratory protection.
- Use protection that has been fitted to you.
- Keep ignition sources away from flammable products.
- Clean down and handle waste as instructed.
Country considerations
Rules for spraying, ventilation and flammable products vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for safe spraying, for ensuring ventilation, protection and ignition control are real, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise any spraying and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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