07th July 2009 Dos and Don’ts of DIY

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DIY notice to staff

Please feel free to copy this notice and post it on staff notice boards, newsletters, intranets etc. to help your staff stay safe.

The warmer weather and the longer hours of daylight are enough to send DIY enthusiasts up ladders and into orbital sanding with scant regard for personal safety. But while you may be saving money by attempting the work yourself, you could end up spending more to fix those you get wrong. Worse still, you could end up as a DIY casualty statistic. Here are a few dos and don’ts to help you stay safe and prevent you from needing to call in sick on Monday.

1. Doing your own electrical or gas work isn’t a good idea, and probably isn’t legal either, unless you happen to be qualified – if in doubt call in a trained professional.

2. You may be fully competent with tools, but what about your children? Don’t ever leave power or hand tools lying around for a few minutes while you do something else – lock them safely away or put them out of reach. It may seem a nuisance, but someone else being injured would be far worse.

3. When working on electrical appliances, make sure you have switch off the power and pulled the plug out from the wall socket before beginning.

4. Some commonly used DIY substances, such as glue or paint may be flammable and can give off vapours. Ventilate the room you are working in by opening windows where possible, and don’t smoke, not even near to a surface that’s recently been painted. Always keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket to hand for emergencies.

5. Wear appropriate clothing and protect your feet when using power tools and lawn mowers. Don’t burn the paint off a window with a blow torch bare-chested or in a bikini top.

6. If you are using a ladder, make sure it is long enough for the job and you don’t need to overreach. Get someone else to hold it steady and prevent it from slipping.

7. Keep products in their original containers and never decant poisonous liquids into empty drinks bottles. They may be too tempting to resist, especially for children.

8. Be very careful with cutting tools and wear gloves. Always cut away from you.

9. Use circuit breakers with power tools, especially if you have any concerns over your wiring.

10. Plan ahead and make sure you have the right equipment. Spur of the moment enthusiasm may be good for your energy and determination – but it also tends to foster the bash it and bodge it approach, rather than the precision and perfectionism you’ll need for great results.