People often don’t realize the kind of risks they are taking when they start working with electrical equipment or start a DIY project with manual tools but without the necessary protective gear. Even simple things like hammering a nail into a wall or a piece of wood can result in serious injuries if you don’t take the right precautions.
If you are working with machinery such as a bandsaw or a pneumatic nail gun, you should be trained in how to properly use this equipment and you should take the necessary protective measures. The last thing you need is to get a lifelong injury from a DIY project simply because you didn’t spare an extra minute to put on a mask, glove, or protective eyewear.
So, before undertaking house repairs, here are some tips to protect yourself and your family.
Education
Different projects will pose different threats. Electrical work is different from plumbing, for instance – just like metal fabrication is very different from repairing a roof. To be able to protect yourself from these risks, you need to know exactly what you are up against by researching the project and its requirements beforehand.
If you are working on welding metal then you need hand protection just as much as you need eye protection. Welding sparks can cause serious burns, also, you need to be wearing shoes that will insulate you against electricity as you are working with a very high voltage bit of equipment. So before you go out and buy protective gear, read up on what exactly you will need.
Eye Protection
Unlike flesh wounds, eye injuries don’t heal very easily and you lose one of the most important parts of your body. Unlike other parts of the body, the eyes are completely exposed and they can be damaged by many different things.
Exposing your eyes to extremely bright light, fumes, sharp objects, heat, and several other things can cause serious eye problems. This is why there are many different kinds of gear to protect your eyes.
Each type of eye safety gear is designed for a particular job so keep that in mind when selecting eye protection for your next project. When buying eyewear, make sure you get the best quality that you can afford since the cheaper alternatives often do not meet the quality measures that they claim, and having protective glasses break while you are working can be very dangerous.
Knee Pads
Scrubbing floors, working on the roof, installing new tiles, and even just getting on all four to work on an electrical socket near the floor will place a lot of stress on your knees. Unlike the soles of your feet, the skin on your knees is very thin and isn’t designed to carry the entire weight of your body.
Note that the damage on the knees isn’t only skin-deep. With extensive wear and tear, the knee damage can start impacting the functionality of the knee and the bone under the skin. With these NoCry work knee pads, however, you will make your job a lot more comfortable while protecting your knees from unnecessary stress.
There are a plethora of padding types you can consider to protect your knees from developing blisters and calluses so make sure you choose the right one for you.
Gloves
A thick pair of gloves is a crucial bit of equipment for any kind of technical professional. There are countless risks that your hands are exposed to when working around the home and the massive selection of protective gloves reflects this broad range of risks.
One of the main things you need to watch out for is cuts and bruises. When working with electrical saws or pressing machines, specifically, make sure your hands are protected.
These machines can very easily slice through a finger or crush the bones in your palm. If you work with paints, silicone or other kinds of chemicals then make sure your gloves are rated to handle these substances.
Even at room temperature, these substances can cause harm and if you happen to touch your face with your contaminated hands, you’ll be susceptible to worse risks.
Masks
Just like how masks have become the norm after the pandemic because we need to stay safe from airborne diseases, masks should be a basic part of your tool kit. Whether you are working with wood, metal, liquids, or even just smoking out a beehive from the attic, having the right mask is crucial. Not only will this protect your lungs but it will ensure your overall health.
Some materials, such as high-strength wood glue or paint thinner, have fumes that are very dangerous. As little as a few seconds of exposure could easily make you unconscious if you aren’t wearing a mask. Fainting itself can be quite dangerous, and even more so when you’ve collapsed in an area surrounded by risky tools and machines.
Shoes
Slip-resistant shoes that protect from electrical current and also have a steel toe cap will be the best choice for most DIY projects. These three traits will protect you from the vast majority of risks that people are exposed to in these types of work environments.
Again, look into the specific risks that come with the job. For instance, if you are working with glass molding or steel molding, then you need something that can protect you from liquids at extremely high temperatures.
You also want shoes that will be relatively easy to take off in emergency situations. Many work boots have steel toe caps and slip-resistant soles but they are designed to look good rather than be functional. Proper work boots may not be that attractive but they will definitely save you from harm in a work environment.
When using protective gear of any kind, it is important to look at the condition of the equipment and make sure it is usable. In some cases, you can get away with a slightly worn-out bit of equipment; for instance, a slightly worn-out pair of work boots.
But in other situations, it is important for the equipment to be in excellent condition, such as protective eyeglasses or a mask for tasks with chemical use. If your protective equipment needs maintenance, such as replacing the air filters on the facemask, make sure you have these supplies on hand so you can refresh the equipment before every use.
