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Occupation Details

Industrial Spray Painter



Fact Sheet

Applying a third coat of paint to ensure an even finish

Industrial spray painters operate spray painting equipment to apply protective coatings to manufactured items or structures.

Duties and Tasks

Industrial spray painters may perform the following tasks:

  • prepare surfaces to be coated by using various methods (abrasive blasting, high pressure water washing or power wire brushing) to remove grease, dirt and rust
  • monitor extractors, drying fans and heaters
  • spray coatings (such as paint, lacquer, enamel, silver or copper solutions) onto manufactured products to provide finished surfaces
  • move items to drying areas and unload and stack them for further painting or packaging
  • rub down painted items between coats
  • operate paint dipping baths and conveyor equipment
  • touch up defective areas of painted items
  • clean nozzles, containers and hoses of machines

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of INDUSTRIAL ARTS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an industrial arts-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
The work environment in these jobs generally contains higher than average levels of dust, pollen, fumes, gases or other matter which are likely to aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Jobs where the environment is dusty or polluted are excluded.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake. Jobs requiring full use of hands/fingers are excluded.\par
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
These jobs involve the daily handling of substances which may cause irritation to skin, eyes, etc., and may aggravate dermatitis or other medical conditions. Jobs that require handling of chemical or greasy items are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs are usually performed standing up for periods of at least two hours at a stretch.Jobs requiring standing for long periods have been excluded.
Included are jobs in architecture, building design, surveying, urban and regional planning and construction.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.

Work Conditions

Industrial spray painters usually work in noisy factory or construction environments. Most of their time is spent standing or bent over. Protective clothing, masks and goggles must be worn when handling poisonous materials.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy practical and manual work
  • physically fit
  • no chest complaints
  • no allergies related to paints, solvents or dust
  • normal colour vision

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Manufacturing Skills Australia