Whether you are a devoted DIY-er giving your family area a facelift or a expert painter about to start a new job, it is important to understand that painting can come with certain health risks. The proper safety equipment and awareness can help you confidently achieve stellar results.



HAZARDS IN PAINTING WORK

Even though painting may look like a relatively risk-free endeavor, the reality is, it can cause serious bodily harm if the right precautions are not taken. The substances in paint are usually harmful. Strong irritation can occur when the paint splashes into your eyes or onto unprotected skin.

Headaches and respiratory concerns may occur because of paint fumes. Highly flammable paint thinner and oil primer may also be very damaging. The risk of burns is possible if watchful handling is not preserved. Lastly, ladders are a common tool for both indoor and outdoor paint jobs when working at heights. This presents a risk for people falling and becoming hurt.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PAINTING AND RELATED RISKS

The type of painting project you start on will come with its own set of risks. Here is a concise overview of the differing types of painting and associated risks:

Brush painting:

Brush painting is the most basic kinds of painting. It is widely used to paint wood for instance, window sills, door frames and various woodwork. It is also used for creative paint styles and can be used for walls. Common risks with brush painting include things like having paint splash into your eyes and dealing with spills onto the skin. Because this painting uses oil and solvent-based paint, it can certainly lead to headaches and breathing difficulties if suitable respiratory masks aren't utilized.

Roller application:

Using a paint roller is typical for getting to interior walls and painting ceilings. This can lead to paint splashing in the eyes as well as on the skin. Being contorted in various positions while painting can be extremely uncomfortable and trigger pulling a muscle or getting injured. This is more prevalent for people who paint for a profession and may lead to long-term damage over time. Inadequate ventilation and inhaling fumes is very unhealthy. Make sure you open windows and doors or use fans and always wear a respirator mask while painting.

Spray painting is common for interior and exterior applications. It is used to accomplish large areas such as ceilings, exteriors of buildings and lobbies. Painters risk getting paint contaminants in their eyes. Fumes and paint contaminants can irritate the respiratory system. For this reason, health and safety precautions and tools are incredibly important for spray painting. Goggles, respiratory face masks and protective clothing are required.



Painting at heights:

Virtually any work that takes place above the ground calls for extra caution. Falling off of a step ladder can cause significant injuries. Safety precautions need to be utilized by those who work at heights to avoid a life-threatening fall. Painting at heights often takes advantage of scaffolding or wearing a safety harness. The items required for paint preparation and clean-up can also be risky if precautions are not taken.

Oftentimes, wood surfaces have to be sanded before they can be painted. This can trigger scrapes on the hands along with dust in the eyes and respiratory system. How dangerous this dust is will often rely on what you are sanding - old paint, wood, etc.Cleaning paint brushes and other tools often require the application of paint thinner, depending on the type of paint used. This compound is rather flammable and can easily catch on fire or contribute to significant burns.

Painting PPE

Maintain personal wellbeing for your next painting enterprise by wearing the proper PPE.

Gloves:

Use gloves to keep your skin as well as your hands safe. Leather or fabric gloves are satisfactory for sanding. Solvent-resistant gloves are important for handling paint thinner and various solvents. Impermeable gloves are best for water- and oil-based paint.

Eyewear:

Go with safety goggles or protective eye wear every time you are working with paint thinners and paint for max protection. It is vital when you're sanding or painting ceilings and places overhead.

Paint masks:

Wear a particulate respirator or even a dust mask any time you are sanding to prevent breathing in small particles. If you are very sensitive to chemicals, it's also advisable to wear a respiratory mask when working with a brush or roller. In case you are painting outdoors, there exists adequate fresh air for the paint fumes. However, some people are operating in a location with bat or bird droppings which might be harmful.Use a paint respirator for spray painting tasks to keep your airways safe. Rely on a paint respirator to help keep your airways protected while painting.

Coveralls and shoe covers:

Throwaway cotton coveralls and shoe covers can preserve your shoes, your skin and your clothing from being irritated or blanketed in paint.

Hard hat:

If you are working at heights, a hard hat is a wise safety precaution, as it may help protect your head when you fall. Protect your head from any plunging objects on a construction site with a well-fitting hard hat.

Fall arrest:

The fall arrest might have a single or double carabiner that is attached to a fixed surface such as a railing to prevent you from falling in case you slip. It often comes with a harness that straps around the torso and legs for extra safety. Scaffolding doubles in some situations to counteract accidents from falls.

Fire extinguisher:

It is always crucial that you keep a fire extinguisher on-site in case there are any incidents with flammable materials such as paint thinner.