Health and safety is important within all industries. Painting and decorating services are frequently in demand. Most construction projects require professional finishing. Working in the industry is satisfying and rewarding. However, safe methods of work should always be followed to minimise risks of accident or injury.
Safety Risks
There are many types of safety risks with such a wide range of painting and decorating tasks within the profession. These need to be monitored and managed. Responsible painting and decorating companies, such as Scott Anson Painters, always ensure that their workers have the correct certification. This means that the most up-to-date procedures are maintained.
Falling from Height
Falling from a height is the main cause of work-based fatalities in the construction industry. Employers are responsible for following up-to-date safety procedures. Anyone working in construction should only carry out tasks that they are trained to do. For example, training is required before using a working platform. Defects in scaffolding, ladders or mobile towers should also be immediately reported to the relevant on-site senior figures.
Chemicals
Painting involves several tasks that are linked to cancer-causing chemicals and materials. Sanding, filling, painting and spraying can involve exposure to hazardous substances. This includes lead, solvents, asbestos and construction dust.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is an independent safety regulator that identifies painters and decorators as a significantly ‘at risk’ group. Past exposure from up to 50 years ago is thought to have killed approximately 250 people through lung, bladder and stomach cancers.
Solvents present various dangers for construction workers. These highly flammable substances demand the utmost care and consideration during handling. The increasing popularity of water-based paints is largely due to them containing minimal amounts of solvent. Water-based paints are suitable for a large variety of surfaces and, as well as being safer, are kinder to the environment.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is another important consideration for painters and decorators. In particular, a face mask and eye goggles are needed to prevent workers from inhaling fumes or getting harmful substances in their eyes. Adequate ventilation is always recommended to minimise the build up of fumes in any workspace. Windows and doors should be kept open to aerate working areas. This is especially important during large scale construction projects.
Thankfully, advances in paint technology have decreased risks for modern construction workers through the removal of lead pigment and reduced solvent levels in paint. There are several precautions that painters and decorators can take to reduce the risk of accident, injury, and ill-health. Supervisors should ensure that up-to-date procedures are enforced. Meaning that workers are properly trained so on-site safety is a priority for all.