Painting and Decorating: Health and Safety Guide
Painting and decorating is an extremely popular trade, however, it is one in which health and safety are often overlooked.
From falls from heights to handling potentially dangerous substances, there are an array of risks that need to be accounted for before you commence a painting or decorating job. You have a duty to keep both yourself and others protected: you need to be sure you are following the correct procedures to ensure not only your own safety, but the health and safety of everyone around you.
Whether you’re an independent contractor, working for a firm or you’re an employer yourself, here at MI Supplies we’ve put together a list of all the key health and safety pointers you need for working in the painting and decorating industry.
Whatever industry you’re working in, make sure you’re fully prepared for your days work with MI Supplies. Across our current collection you can explore casual clothing and protective clothing in the workwear clothing range, or personal protection and occupational protection throughout our PPE range.
Whether you’re an independent contractor, working for a firm or you’re an employer yourself, here at MI Supplies we’ve put together a list of all the key health and safety pointers you need for working in the painting and decorating industry.
Use a water-based paint
Solvents are extremely damaging to your health, so where at all possible you should aim to avoid solvent-based paints and decorative tools on the job. Work with water-based paints instead: they perform just as well, while offering the additional benefits of being both safer and more environmentally friendly.Ensure you are equipped with the right PPE
PPE is a vital part of any job - your personal protective equipment is what keeps you safe throughout the working day, and this is no different for those painting and decorating. Respiratory protection is a must: for heavy duty jobs, a face mask covering the nose and mouth is needed to avoid inhalation of vapours or particles. When RPE is used, it must always offer adequate protection for the individual wearer. If your RPE leaks, the protection is lost. As the main cause of leaking in RPE is due to badly fitted equipment, it is paramount that each facepiece is suitable for the individual using it. There is not a one size fits all approach: everyone is different, and different types or sizes of RPE may be needed across a team. You should always fit-test your RPE before use, and ensure it is the appropriate size and fit to offer full protection to the wearer. For more information, head to the HSE RPE Fit Testing Basics page.Check your equipment
One of the key dangers faced by those working in the painting and decorating industry is the danger of falling, particularly from a height. If you are working from scaffolding or a ladder, you need to be confident that;- You have been adequately trained
- Your equipment is in impeccable working condition
Open windows and keep rooms well ventilated
Solvents and fumes from painting or decorating materials pose one of the main threats throughout your working day. Even with a face mask, be sure to avoid prolonged use of solvent-based products, and always make sure the area in which you are working is well ventilated.Do not smoke
This hard and fast rule applies to any workplace, but it is particularly important when working around solvent-based materials. Solvents are extremely flammable, so never expose them to an open flame.Keep clean: wear overalls, and wash hands after use
In any job, your hands are the most likely to get dirty or come into contact with dangerous substances. With painting and decorating, it is especially important to wash your hands frequently to get rid of any build up of paint and to remove corrosive substances. Potentially dangerous materials, from solvent based-paints to glues, may also come in contact with your clothes. In the interests of both safety and hygiene, you should be prepared for your days work with painting and decorating clothing. Options include comfortable painting and decorating jackets and decorating trousers, or practical coveralls for more heavy duty work.Whatever industry you’re working in, make sure you’re fully prepared for your days work with MI Supplies. Across our current collection you can explore casual clothing and protective clothing in the workwear clothing range, or personal protection and occupational protection throughout our PPE range.