Proper preparation and equipment are required for commercial painting. Doing the proper prep work, keeping the area clean, and following legal regulations will ensure the project is safe. By following safety protocols you can improve the quality of paint jobs you provide to clients. While this is not a comprehensive list of all safety protocols, these are some major additions that can elevate your commercial paint job.
1- Legal Regulations
The most important safety procedure to follow is legal regulations for your city, state, or country. These guidelines were put in place to help keep workers and customers safe after health studies were done on certain toxins. Strict adherence to these guidelines is crucial if you want your business to stay open and avoid having to redo the project.
Clean Air Act
Following the Clean Air Act helps limit the chemical compounds that can be used in commercial paint. VOCs can cause many health concerns like respiratory issues, fatigue, and long-term effects. Choosing paints that don’t contain high VOCs or lead will be best for a commercial space.
Lead-Based Paint Reduction Act
This act was put in place to help protect older homes that feature lead paint. Now lead in paint is banned in many places, so if you purchase an older property, you may need to follow crucial steps to protect yourself from lead.
Property owners also must disclose if the paint has lead before selling or renting to a tenant. Because lead paint is only toxic when removed from the surface or inhaled, leaving it inside your home or business may not seem like a risk, but over time paint chips can cause health concerns.
Repainting the space needs to be done with proper ventilation and protection equipment. Removing lead paint and repainting the space with a safer alternative is something that commercial painters take very seriously. Following safety protocols for lead paint keeps residents and painters safe.
2- Worker Safety In High Traffic Areas
Not only should you choose a paint that is healthy for future customers and those who own the business, but you should keep the work area safe for painters. During the painting process, things can become chaotic, especially if multiple construction projects are occurring at one time.
During a painting project, keeping the floor clean and free of equipment will prevent falls. Using stable ladders and step stools that are commercial grade will ensure the safety of all workers. Commercial painters should stay up to date on painting equipment and technology to prevent accidents from occurring. Worn-out equipment could result in lackluster painting and injury.
3- Ladder Safety
Choosing the right ladder is one of the most important safety protocols. Most painting jobs are done at high heights, which means you need a stable ladder to reach every small space. It is best to avoid makeshift ladders or climbing on parts of the property. Doing annual inspections of ladders will help ensure that all the components are durable and that no repairs need to be made.
Placing the ladder on flat ground and ensuring the ladder isn’t on any kind of debris or equipment cords may seem like common sense, but these slip-ups can lead to severe injury.
4- Protection From Paint Fumes
Having masks and respirators handy for painters will help reduce hazards caused by paint fumes. Breathing in dust particles during sanding, asbestos, and paint chemicals are common hazards of commercial painting. Other protective equipment like gloves, PPE, goggles, and coveralls can help prevent hazards from paint.
5- Minimize Property Damage
Miscalculations in safety can cost you as a company and the property owner. When painters are climbing on your building, using improper practices, or unstable ladders, this can cause damage to materials, leading to high repair costs. A commercial painter should have proper equipment to help them reach heights and coat small corners without the need to damage a property.
Commercial Painting From American Town Painting
Our team of commercial painters is constantly learning more about safety. While our team is trained to use proper protective equipment and ladders, there is always more to learn about keeping everyone safe. Hiring our team will give you peace of mind about the state of your property and the quality of the paint job you will receive.
American Town Painting is proud to serve our local community. We offer residential painting, commercial painting, cabinet refinishing, and epoxy coatings to help give you a well rounded space. Our painters are focused on detail, no matter the job. If you are looking for a quality paint transformation, give American Town Painting a call.