Protecting yourself as a Painter and Decorator

Rhino Trade Insurance 21 June 2023

You face a number of dangers and risks every day as a Painter and Decorator. Prioritising your safety when working in this industry is essential because of the dangers of poisonous chemicals, physical damage and damage to property. However, you can create a safer working environment and lower the risk of accidents, damages and health problems by putting into place a variety of preventative measures and adhering to best practices.

In this article, we'll go over some important tips for being safe while on your Painting and Decorating projects.

How to protect your Painting and Decorating business

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As a Painter or Decorator, personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for your safety. It acts as a safeguard against potential dangers. Here are some essential PPE gear you should never be without:

Save your lungs:

Use an appropriate face mask or respirator to help shield your respiratory system from breathing in dangerous dust, gas and other harmful particles.

Protect your eyes:

In order to safeguard your eyes/sight from splatters of paint, debris, dust, and chemical splashes, make use of safety glasses or goggles or even consider a full-face shield.

Hand protection:

When dealing with paint, chemicals, rough objects/surfaces and sharp objects, ensure you wear protective gloves that are made from latex or nitrile.

Protect your feet:

When working on-site, many things can occur that cause injury to your feet. There can be spills from paint, causing slips or objects/ tools falling. Wearing strong shoes that have good grip and safety toe caps will ensure your feet are protected.

Protective Clothing:

To protect your skin and clothes from paint splashes, spills and chemical exposure, make sure to wear overalls that can catch any excess materials.

Hazardous Materials Handling

Hazardous substances, including paints, solvents, and chemicals, are something that Painters and Decorators constantly come into contact with. For the sake of the environment and for your own protection, and for those around you, these substances must be handled properly. Think about the following suggestions:

Understand the risks, handling recommendations, and PPE required for any product you use, and adhere to the manufacturer's directions.
To reduce exposure to harmful gases or dust particles, work in well-ventilated spaces or in conjunction with local exhaust ventilation systems.
Keep paints and chemicals in the proper cabinets and containers.
Follow local guidelines when disposing of hazardous waste materials, such as paint cans and chemical containers.

Safe Working Practices

For the purpose of avoiding accidents and injuries, safe working procedures must be followed to ensure your work site is compliant. Here are several essential procedures you can follow:

Before usage, make sure ladders and scaffolding are secure and stable. If you want to avoid falls, use good climbing and descending methods and stay safe to work another day.
To avoid electric shocks when utilising electrical tools or equipment, check cables for damage and make use of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
To prevent strains and muscular problems, take regular breaks, perhaps stretch out your muscles, and practise good lifting techniques.
Keep fire extinguishers nearby and keep an eye out for open flames and combustible materials.

Get sufficient Painter and Decorator insurance.

Knowing that you have protection if something goes wrong will enable you to operate your business more responsibly and productively. If the worst occurs, insurance will provide you, your clients, and your suppliers with the necessary protection to ensure things get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Having insurance as a Painter and Decorator also enables you to fulfil any legal obligations, such as the requirement to insure your company with Employers' Liability Insurance if you have employees. Public Liability Insurance is also a fundamental component of all trade insurance policies, despite the fact that it is not legally required. Without this cover, no professional tradesperson is worth their salt. It guards against damage done on the premises or harm done to a client or third party.

In addition to these essential business safeguards, trade firms can look to purchase Personal Accident Insurance, Tool Insurance, Legal Protection, Tax, and many other options. All of these policies are there to financially back up your business if a legal claim is made.

Why Choose Rhino Trade Insurance?

As a Painter and Decorator, you should always put safety first. By using the above advice, you can dramatically lower your chance of mishaps, injuries, and health problems related to your line of work. On top, insurance is a great safety net.

Rhino Trade Insurance can offer amazing insurance options for Painting and Decorating businesses in the UK. With over 2000 tradespeople giving us five-star ratings, you'd find it difficult to scout out a better trade-only insurer.

Call the friendly Rhino team at 0116 243 7904 for more information. We are available six days a week, or you can visit our website and find everything you need through our speedy quote engine.