Industry standard for painting contractors

The Tasmanian Minister for Workplace Relations, Lisa Singh, has welcomed a decision by commercial and residential painting contractors to establish an industry standard in Tasmania. The new voluntary code was developed by a number of groups associated with the industry, including the Master Painters Association.

“The industry standard will address a number of issues affecting employers, contractors and consumers,” Singh said. “Industry standards help to provide advice in practical and relevant ways, as well as develop reasonable expectations about the trade of goods and services.

“This is especially important in the surface-coating industry, where home and building owners make significant investments in their properties and where painters often work in hazardous environments.

“Essentially, the standard addresses employers’ obligations to employees, worksite safety and the standard of painting work.

“When a similar standard was launched in Victoria earlier this year, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tony Robinson, noted that many contractors advertised themselves as ‘master painters’ when in fact they’d had no formal training.

“While registration by painters is not compulsory in Tasmania, consumers should be confident they get what they pay for. That means a satisfactory finish by a qualified painter who meets OHS standards.”