Painting Safety

Painting Safety Notes

Did you know that exterior painting can end up as a severe fatality if proper precautions are not taken? Painting might seem like an easy and fun job, but it isn’t so simple. With solvent based products, high elevations or uneven surfaces it can become quite complex and even dangerous!

Pratice Safety While Painting

​We need to give our homes or offices a shiny new outlook through painting the exterior every once in a while. Moreover, to prevent yourself and others from toxic lead inhalation, it is necessary to get a new coat of paint while discarding the old one. It might seem like a daunting task to partake, but nothing beats the look of a newly painted house or workplace and the excitements that follow.

 Are you curious about exterior painting safety? Before jumping into this task yourself or through the help of others, it is essential to know some basic safety tips and rules concerning exterior painting. This is to protect yourself, people around you and the environment overall.

Safety Precautions for Painters

Following precautions should be taken by painters while doing the job:

1. It is essential to use the right gear while painting including safety goggles, mask, respirator, and gloves to prevent yourself from inhaling harmful fumes, dust or substances or getting paint on your exposed body parts while sanding or painting.
2. Be very careful while using the ladders, and keep the ratio of placing the ladder correctly in mind. Each time the ladder rises for 3 feet, it should be placed one foot from the wall of the building. Ensure that the ladder is well-balanced and keep both your feet and at least one hand grip on it while painting, always.
3. While opting for spray painting, ensure that the pressure inside the gun is not too much and release it gently and then proceed. Also, protect the eyes from over-spray.
4. Beware of any electrical wires in the nearby area before even moving the ladder for painting. It is best to use fiberglass ladders if electric wires are in close proximity to avoid electrocution; but they can be heavier.
5. Use footwear that would protect your feet in case of any accidents or while climbing up and down the ladder. Make sure your shoes don’t have metal or steel plates or buckles.
6. Wash your hands properly before eating or drinking as not to ingest toxic substances.
7. Avoid wearing nylon or plastic clothing as these materials are the conductor of static electric current.
8. Wash off paint or varnish residue immediately from your hands only with soap and water. These can soak into your bloodstream through your skin.

Other Safety Precautions

Following precautions should be taken generally:

1. Avoid painting jobs in rough weather condition like rain or thunderstorm. Rain can cause slipping accidents and thunderstorms can cause electrocutions. Windy weather conditions can also be difficult for painting jobs as they will splatter paint everywhere which can be dangerous.
2. Don’t opt for paints with high VOC (volatile organic compounds) content as it can cause toxic effects on one’s health.
3. Keep paint away from fire or heat source as they can be inflammable.

If you keenly follow all these instructions, your exterior painting will be a safe and enjoyable process. If you find the exterior painting tasks too much, either for your lack of knowledge, or your physical capabilities, call a Jacksonville painting company to assist you with the exterior painting. ​904-293-4600