Home Renovation Safety

So you’re ready to start ripping out counters and creating the kitchen/bathroom/living room of your dreams. You’ve picked the colours, the tiles and the light fixtures. You’re ready to get started but before you get started, make sure you are addressing all these safety considerations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Don’t get started without:

• Safety glasses. Prescription or sun glasses are not a suitable alternative. Safety glasses are made to withstand more pressure.
• Safety shoes. Get some steel-toed to stay toed.
• Hard Hat. Doing some demolition? Protect yourself from falling debris.
• Dust mask. Are you going to kick up a lot of dust? Make sure you get a mask.
• Hearing protection is important to consider if working with power tools.

Call your local utility authority before you start digging

Buried utility pipes and wires are everywhere. Call your local utility authority to find out what spots to avoid. This can prevent a dangerous and costly mistake.

Is your ladder safe, and are you safe on that ladder?

• Choose the right ladder for the job. Make sure it’s the right height and can hold the weight required.
• Inspect your ladder to make sure it’s in good working condition.
• Set up the ladder on firm, level ground.
• Always maintain 3 points of contact. Two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand.

Are you working with dangerous materials?

• Asbestos is very dangerous if disturbed. If you come across it, call a qualified asbestos removal specialist. They have the skills and equipment necessary for safe removal.
• Lead paint. If removing layers of old lead paint, remember to take all the precautions necessary to minimize the dust.
• You may come across some mould. If you have just a moderate amount of mould and want to tackle it yourself, you can either replace the section affected, or find some cleaning chemicals and hit it with some elbow grease. Check with your local hardware store for suggestions, but stay clear of bleach.

Once the work is over, make sure you clean the area thoroughly, change your air filters and enjoy your handiwork.

This article is intended for those who don’t have professional experience in the trades, or to be a resource for clients.