It is said that in the UK, thousands of plasterers have been injured while doing their jobs since 2010. That is why it is important to ensure one’s health and safety while at work. For one thing, ensuring health and safety at work, regardless of the kind of profession you have, should not be taken for granted.
With that, it is important to make sure you are always safe while doing tasks as part of your profession. This also applies to plasterers — using plastering tools and equipment safely is as important to avoid injuries and health complications in the future.
Knowing the basic safety rules for plasterers
Professional plastering is not really considered as a risky job as compared to those who work above the ground, such as scaffolding. However, this does not exempt plasterers from not applying safety equipment and following safety measures while on the job. Here are some basic health and safety rules plasterers need to remember.
Ensuring safety on the work site
Before proceeding with the plastering project, it is important to ensure the site’s safety. All plasterers involved in the assigned job should also be equipped with knowledge regarding workplace safety. For one, there should be visible safety signs displayed everywhere within the work area.
Using protective equipment or PPE
Plasterers should wear the right protective equipment while in the workplace, such as work boots, masks, and protective eyewear. As much as possible, outsiders and non-workers should not be allowed in the area. But in case there is a scheduled inspection in the work site, make sure that the visitors are wearing protective equipment such as hard hats or work boots.
Making sure to be safe when working at high places
When working on a high area, it is important to ensure stability to avoid accidentally falling off a high structure. First of all, you should ensure that the ladder you are using is secured and is not missing a step. Do not skip on a ladder step just to get to the top faster, or risk accidentally slipping and falling off the ground and injuring you in the process. Plasterers should also use safety tools such as drills and heat strippers and keep it away from unauthorized people. As much as possible, plasterers should use plastering stilts to ensure a stable ladder base while working on high places.
Ensuring the safety of other personnel working alongside you
More often than not, plasterers may also be working with other personnel such as carpenters or plumbers. Having that said, it is important to keep their safety and your own. The same applies to the other workers as well.
Working in a construction site, including plasterers, can put you and other workers at potential health and safety risks. That is why it is important to be educated with the basic health and safety measures in the workplace and avoid injuring or endangering your life. At the end of the day, we all need to work but not at the expense of our safety.
