When we think about personal-protective equipment, there’s a tendency to envision a construction worker kitted out in a hard-hat, or a chemical clean-up crew dressed in full hazmat gear. If you’re just dabbling in a little bit of DIY every now and then, you might not think it’s worth bothering with. After all, if you’re working with hazards for forty hours a week, then you’re going to take them a lot more seriously than a person who works with them for two or three hours every other Sunday.
But DIYers face the same safety challenges, albeit to a smaller extent. Thus, it’s worth thinking about the steps you might take to protect yourself. According to NHS statistics, there are around 4,800 hospital admissions resulting from power-tool misuse alone, with things like ladders, saws and lawnmowers offering similar figures. Naturally, many of these accidents can be prevented by being attentive and taking safety precautions seriously. But in many cases, PPE can make the difference.
Let’s run through ten tasks that might require particular pieces of Personal Protective Equipment.
If you’re working with paint, or anything else that creates fumes in an enclosed space, then it’s worth using a fan to distribute those fumes away from where you’re working. Opening a window certainly helps, too.
Similarly, the use of facemasks can be vital in any occupation, like woodworking or loft-insulating, which creates fine dust particulates.
If you’re doing any activity that generates sparks, then you need eye-protection. If you’re welding, then more heavy-duty eye-protection is called for.
If you’re drilling, sawing, or doing anything else that generates a lot of noise, then a set of ear-defenders should be considered mandatory.
If you’re handling chemicals, or dealing with irritant substances of any kind, then an investment in gloves can pay dividends.
The same applies if you’re soldering or doing pyrography. Gloves will prevent your fingers from getting burned.
Even if your hobby involves painting little miniatures and gluing them together, a set of thin rubber gloves can work wonders.
On another note, we should also consider the benefits of heavy-duty footwear when you’re working with heavy tools and loads. Steel caps will protect your toes; steel soles will protect you from stepping on a saw-blade.
If you’re up on a ladder, then a lanyard will help you to prevent your tools from dropping. This won’t necessarily protect you, but it might protect the people walking underneath you.
Given that you’re DIYing, you don’t have to worry about keeping your productivity high. That means you can take your time, and use PPE even when it comes at the expense of efficiency.
While you can find many of these items from the major DIY superstores, you can often find a better deal by going to the places that the professionals use. PPE suppliers in construction can be found online, meaning that you can get all the equipment you need, delivered straight to your door.