What Are Health and Safety Issues for Painters?
A professional painter does more than slap a paintbrush or roller on walls and ceilings. It takes a steady hand, a good eye for detail, and a great deal of patience. However, residential or commercial painters also have to deal with the hazards of their trade, so if you think being a painter is easy, read on to find out more.
Painters can work at various workplaces, such as construction sites, homes, etc., and will face a constantly changing set of hazards which include:
- Ladders, platforms, and scaffolds.
- Working in confined spaces.
- Working at heights.
- Risk of eye injury.
- Risk of injury from falling objects.
- Exposure to molds, fungi, and bacteria.
- Slips, trips, and falls.
- Exposure to bird and rodent droppings.
- Proximity to flammable or combustible materials.
- Working in awkward positions or performing repetitive physical tasks.
- Exposure to paint products, solvents, lead, and other toxic substances.
- Standing for long periods.
- Lifting heavy or awkward objects.
- Noise.
- Stress.
- Electrical hazards from working close to live electrical power lines or equipment.
- Shift work or extended working days.
- Exposure to heat and ultraviolet radiation.
- Working alone.
What are some preventive measures for painters?
- Evaluate the work area for existing and potential hazards. Know the control measures of the risk and associated effects.
- Maintain good ventilation during painting.
- Select the correct ladder for the job. Use an extended handle paintbrush whenever possible, and eliminate the use of ladders.
- Learn the correct procedures for working at heights.
- Avoid awkward body positions and take breaks when needed.
- Learn safe lifting techniques.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment and footwear.
- Keep work areas clear of clutter and equipment.
- Know how to prevent injury from electrical hazards. Maintain safe distances from energized electrical equipment or utility lines.
- Keep tools and equipment and their safety features in good working order.
- Learn safety procedures for working in confined spaces.
If you would like to make an appointment with a professional painter, please do not hesitate to call Brother's Painting NY Corp. at (914) 292-9975 now if you live or work in or around the New Rochelle, NY area.