It might seem strange that painters would need to watch out for injuries, but they do. Whether it’s minor sprains or painful falls, there are countless things that you need to protect yourself from.
This post will explore some of the most common painting injuries and how you can minimize them.
Common Painting Injuries
There are many risks painters face on the job. Some to watch out for are:
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Slips and falls
- Eye injuries
But it’s not just injuries painters need to guard themselves against. Depending on the task, painters might also come into contact with hazardous chemicals, dust, mold, and flammable materials.
5 Tips for Preventing Injuries
1. Take Breaks
Painting requires you to constantly move your hands and arch your body to reach angles. This can eventually take its toll, especially if you’re hurrying to get the job done.
As a result, you might find yourself with a neck ache or even sprained wrists. This is why it’s essential to take breaks. Never try to push yourself too hard, especially if you can feel your body becoming tired.
These rests don’t have to be extensive (they can be as little as five minutes), but even short ones give your body time to recharge.
2. Use Hand and Elbow Braces
You rely heavily on your hands and arms when painting. While things might start fine, if you’re not careful, you can end up pushing them too much.
This could cause severe sprains and even broken bones that could prevent you from finishing the work. In fact, many painters eventually suffer from repetitive strain injuries, which can cause painful cramps and numbness.
Consider wearing hand or elbow braces while working to reduce the excessive force. These will keep these areas steady to prevent inflammation and overuse.
3. Get Insurance
This won’t stop you from getting hurt, but it will aid you should you be. For instance, if you fall off a ladder while on the job, insurance will help cover your lost income and any medical bills.
Apart from the usual general liability coverage, painter’s insurance covers various other aspects. These include:
- Contractors’ errors and omissions
- Workers’ compensation
- Tools and equipment
- Commercial property and auto
Painters’ insurance costs will depend on your needs. If you’re a small business and just need basic coverage, you can get a package that fits around this.
However, if you’re willing to invest a bit more, you can opt for more expensive coverage, which provides you with more benefits. The options are endless.
You can also get a quote before buying anything. This way, you can tell what will work for you. Again, this can be done entirely online, and you’ll get results within seconds.
After getting insurance, you can confidently get back to work. However, if you find yourself injured while working, immediately contact your insurance company.
They’ll walk you through the claims process and alert you if your request has been approved. This usually only takes a few days, so you can be sure that you’ll receive almost instant aid.
4. Utilize Proper Equipment
Tape, ladders, buckets, and brushes are just a few tools painters rely on. Don’t use them if you notice them starting to wear down or becoming unsafe.
You might think you’re saving time and money, but poor tools put you at risk. Always make sure to do consistent inspections of them. If you find they’re fraying, wobbly, or broken, invest in new ones.
Besides these, take a look at your work shoes. Are they durable? Do they support you well? Slippery shoes can be a considerable nuisance and cause you to fall off ladders while working.
You might also want to start wearing safety glasses and helmets, especially if you’ll be painting outside or working on high elevations. These will keep your eyes and head safe from falling debris, paint particles, and slips.
5. Practice Safe Lifting
Whether it’s full paint cans or ladders, painting often requires you to move heavy equipment. It’s easy to pick them up and transport them, but sudden movements like this could hurt your body, especially your back. To prevent painful injuries, make sure to implement proper lifting methods.
If you need to lift something, never bend forward. Instead, squat and wrap your arms around it and use your legs to lift yourself back up.
Make sure also not to do sudden twists when carrying a heavy load. This could cause the items to slip and force your body to move in an awkward way to catch or avoid them.
Painting might seem like an effortless job, but it comes with many hazards. There are countless things to watch out for, whether it’s falling off a ladder or getting paint drops in your eyes. By keeping the tips above in mind, you can better protect yourself from them.
