This year’s World Day for Health and Safety at Work is combined with the Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have lost their life whilst doing their duties at work.
In the 2016/2017 working year 137 people were killed whilst at work in the UK and a huge 609,000 more were involved in non fatal accidents. 507,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders from the work they do and on average there are 12,000 lung disease deaths each year which are linked to past exposures whilst at work. These figures show how important it is to take health and safety seriously, both at work, as a customer and in our own lives.
The theme for 2017’s Health and Safety day was “optimise the collection and use of occupational safety and health data”. This is an important ongoing task to improve health and safety, to better determine how and why it can and should be enforced to allow workers to complete their job safely and proficiently. Changes may come into place from site inspections and audits to make operational procedures safer, but they also come from Government advice and law changes.
The theme for 2017’s Health and Safety day was “optimise the collection and use of occupational safety and health data”. This is an important ongoing task to improve health and safety, to better determine how and why it can and should be enforced to allow workers to complete their job safely and proficiently. Changes may come into place from site inspections and audits to make operational procedures safer, but they also come from Government advice and law changes.This year the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is linking with the World Day Against Child Labour (12th of June) in a joint campaign to improve the safety and health of young workers and end child labour. We often associate “child labour” to only be a problem in Third World countries but within the UK a child can legally take on part time work from the age of 13. The work involved, experience, ability and maturity of the child will all play a part in making sure they are working in a safe way and in an appropriate environment for their age and capability.
H&S When painting and decorating:
Working at height
Avoid working at height by using extender poles on rollers and brushes. If absolutely necessary ladders can be used for short duration work and need to be fit for purpose, ideally A frame with safety locks and solid ground to minimise the risk of them slipping. Where possible eliminate the use of ladders whilst decorating and opt for raised platform “hop-up’s” instead. This applies both indoor and out. Scaffolding is more advisable for higher work but brings its own hazards, ensure measures are in place to reduce the risk of people or objects falling off, wear a hard hat, don’t overload with too much weight and never increase the height by placing ladders on scaffolding.
Working with chemicals
Particular care should be used for turps, white spirit and coatings such as Halophane Bonding Solution and Fungicidal wash. A lot of paint is now water based and poses very little risk, however always check the warning labels on the can and adhere to the advice given. When working with substances that may be harmful to health make sure there is adequate ventilation and protective equipment is used such as masks, gloves and goggles. Issues can also arise from simple work where old lead paint or asbestos was used on older buildings, these need to be handled with care, by professionals, at all times.
Fire hazards
Painting and decorating can involve some flammable solvents such as white spirit, gloss, undercoat and wood primer so they need to be kept away from all sources of ignition such as cigarettes, naked flames and sparks which can cause ignition. Often when renovating there can be loose wires so ensure the electricity is off when using flammable materials. Also make sure the electricity is turned off before removing or replacing light fittings, switches or sockets.
Working with sharp tools
Decorating will more than likely require some sharp tools, mainly cutting knives for wallpaper. These need to be handled with care, always cut on the correct surfaces, cut away from the body and face, use even force and keep the tool straight to minimise the chance of it slipping. When not in use sharp tools need to be put away safely, retract the blade when possible, carry with the blade down when moving around and return to a safe section in a toolbox when done.
Manual Handling
It is important in all aspects of life, not just in painting and decorating, to use correct manual handling techniques and where possible use equipment to help you such as a hand trolley or cart. If you must carry any bulky or heavy objects first ensure the area is safe from trip hazards, then lift the object by bending your knees rather than your back, keep balanced and don’t twist into any awkward positions or you increase the risk of injury.
Of course, there are always people who don’t think the rules and advice apply to them, but by ignoring health and safety procedures you could be putting your friends, colleagues or family at risk as well as yourself.
Take a moment to consider what you could do to make a task safer and both the short and long-term consequences of not completing a task safely.
Is the risk worth it?
Avoid working at height by using extender poles on rollers and brushes. If absolutely necessary ladders can be used for short duration work and need to be fit for purpose, ideally A frame with safety locks and solid ground to minimise the risk of them slipping. Where possible eliminate the use of ladders whilst decorating and opt for raised platform “hop-up’s” instead. This applies both indoor and out. Scaffolding is more advisable for higher work but brings its own hazards, ensure measures are in place to reduce the risk of people or objects falling off, wear a hard hat, don’t overload with too much weight and never increase the height by placing ladders on scaffolding.
Working with chemicals
Particular care should be used for turps, white spirit and coatings such as Halophane Bonding Solution and Fungicidal wash. A lot of paint is now water based and poses very little risk, however always check the warning labels on the can and adhere to the advice given. When working with substances that may be harmful to health make sure there is adequate ventilation and protective equipment is used such as masks, gloves and goggles. Issues can also arise from simple work where old lead paint or asbestos was used on older buildings, these need to be handled with care, by professionals, at all times.
Fire hazards
Painting and decorating can involve some flammable solvents such as white spirit, gloss, undercoat and wood primer so they need to be kept away from all sources of ignition such as cigarettes, naked flames and sparks which can cause ignition. Often when renovating there can be loose wires so ensure the electricity is off when using flammable materials. Also make sure the electricity is turned off before removing or replacing light fittings, switches or sockets.
Working with sharp tools
Decorating will more than likely require some sharp tools, mainly cutting knives for wallpaper. These need to be handled with care, always cut on the correct surfaces, cut away from the body and face, use even force and keep the tool straight to minimise the chance of it slipping. When not in use sharp tools need to be put away safely, retract the blade when possible, carry with the blade down when moving around and return to a safe section in a toolbox when done.
Manual Handling
It is important in all aspects of life, not just in painting and decorating, to use correct manual handling techniques and where possible use equipment to help you such as a hand trolley or cart. If you must carry any bulky or heavy objects first ensure the area is safe from trip hazards, then lift the object by bending your knees rather than your back, keep balanced and don’t twist into any awkward positions or you increase the risk of injury.
Of course, there are always people who don’t think the rules and advice apply to them, but by ignoring health and safety procedures you could be putting your friends, colleagues or family at risk as well as yourself.
Take a moment to consider what you could do to make a task safer and both the short and long-term consequences of not completing a task safely.
Is the risk worth it?
