Home › Construction › Painting & Decorating Risk Assessment
Painting & Decorating Risk Assessment — Instant, COSHH-Compliant
Describe the decorating job — surfaces, products, access equipment, site type. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant painter and decorator risk assessment in minutes.
Used by sole traders, painting contractors and facilities teams across the UK
💡 Working with paints, solvents or strippers? COSHH controls, PPE requirements and ventilation measures are included automatically when you describe your products.
Legal Requirements for Painters & Decorators
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all employers and self-employed workers must identify and control risks in their work. For painting and decorating, this means a written risk assessment covering physical hazards (working at height, manual handling) and chemical hazards.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 specifically require you to assess exposure to hazardous substances — including paints, solvents, thinners, strippers, adhesives and fillers — and put controls in place. This is a legal duty, not optional.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply whenever you use ladders, stepladders, hop-ups, scaffold boards or MEWPs. Your risk assessment must cover how you plan, supervise and carry out the work safely.
How It Works
1. Describe the Job
Tell us the type of work (interior/exterior, residential/commercial), access equipment, products being used, and any specific hazards on site.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant painter and decorator risk assessment — COSHH controls, working at height measures, PPE requirements and all.
3. Instant Download and Use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to your client, include it in your RAMS pack, or present it on site. £29, no subscription.
What It Covers
Every painting and decorating risk assessment is written in full — covering all hazards relevant to your specific job.
Working at height (stepladders, hop-ups, scaffolding, MEWP)
COSHH — paints, solvents, strippers, fillers, primers and adhesives
Dust from sanding, grinding and surface preparation
Respiratory protection and ventilation requirements
Working in occupied properties (clients, tenants, members of public)
Manual handling of materials, equipment and access gear
Lone working on residential and commercial sites
Lead paint (pre-1978 properties) and asbestos awareness
Surface preparation on listed or historic buildings
Electrical safety when working near light fittings and sockets
Skin contact and dermatitis prevention (gloves, barrier cream)
Waste disposal of hazardous materials (thinners, solvents)
COSHH Compliance for Decorators
COSHH is one of the most frequently inspected areas for painting and decorating contractors. HSE inspectors check that you have assessed exposure to every hazardous substance you use — not just a generic statement.
When you use Anyrisks, describe the specific products involved (e.g. oil-based gloss, cellulose thinners, methylated spirits, epoxy coatings). The assessment will include:
- ✓
Substance identification and hazard classification
- ✓
Exposure routes (inhalation, skin, ingestion)
- ✓
Control measures (LEV, RPE, PPE, ventilation)
- ✓
Emergency procedures in case of exposure or spillage
- ✓
Disposal requirements for hazardous waste
For multi-product jobs, mention all the products in your description and we’ll cover each one.
Works For
From one-off domestic jobs to multi-site commercial contracts, Anyrisks covers every type of painting and decorating work.
What Customers Say
“My client asked for a risk assessment before I started. Anyrisks covered working at height, COSHH, and lone working — done before I’d even loaded the van.”
Dave K.
Sole trader decorator, Essex
“We do a lot of commercial painting — every site needs its own risk assessment. Anyrisks makes it fast to generate something site-specific every time.”
Steve M.
Commercial painting contractor, Manchester
“Had an HSE visit and they were satisfied with the COSHH documentation. Generated it on Anyrisks the day before. Covered everything they asked about.”
Rachel T.
Painting & decorating company, Birmingham
Anyrisks vs DIY Templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH controls for specific products used | ✓ | ✗ |
| Work at Height Regulations 2005 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Specific to your site and access equipment | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lead paint and asbestos awareness included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cover COSHH for paints and solvents?
Yes — describe the products you’re using (or just the type of work) and we’ll include COSHH controls, PPE requirements and ventilation measures for each substance.
What if I’m working in an occupied property with children or elderly residents?
Mention this in your description and we’ll include third-party safety controls for working in occupied premises, including dust management and access restrictions.
I’m working on an older property that may have lead paint — is that covered?
Yes — flag suspected lead paint in your description and we’ll include the relevant controls, monitoring measures and disposal requirements.
Does it cover working on scaffolding or at height?
Yes — describe your access method (scaffold, MEWP, ladders, hop-ups) and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 controls will be included.
Is a COSHH assessment included or is it a separate document?
COSHH controls are integrated into the risk assessment — you get one comprehensive document covering both physical and chemical hazards.
How long does it take?
Under 2 minutes. Describe the job and Anyrisks produces a fully written, COSHH-compliant painter and decorator risk assessment instantly.