Mend your ways

DIY is practically a national pastime in New Zealand, and the arrival of summer inspires many of us to get out the paint charts and power tools, and tackle jobs around the house. But before you start, spare a thought for
your safety.

Every year tens of thousands of Kiwis are injured while doing it themselves. According to ACC: 5400 people were hurt last year falling off ladders – that’s 15 every day; 460 people were injured every week using a tool – that’s three every hour; and 2500 people were injured using power tools – of these 465 had serious injuries requiring hospital treatment and 48 had an arm, leg, hand or foot amputated. To help you avoid injury, ACC suggests the following:

• Wear safety gear. This may include a hard hat or helmet, eye protection, ear muffs and gloves, and safety masks or respirators if you’re spray painting or welding.
• Keep your tools in good condition. If the handle on your hammer, file or screwdriver is split and worn you should replace it. The same goes for blunt chisels and spanners that have splayed jaws.
• Know your capabilities. This is particularly important if you’re using power tools. Use the right equipment for the job and if you don’t have it, hire it, or employ a professional. Don’t use a tool to do a job it’s not designed for.
• Keep your space clear of obstacles and clutter. Tidy up regularly so you don’t trip over debris left on the ground. Invest in cordless tools or keep electrical cables strapped securely to the wall.
• Keep emergency equipment such as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit close by. It could make all the difference.
• Beware of dust, fumes, gases and smoke. oany DIY products contain potentially harmful chemicals that can be breathed in. If you can’t exchange toxic products for non-toxic ones, make sure your work area is well-ventilated and wear the right sort of respiratory protection. A disposable mask that covers half your face may not be enough, so make sure you buy the right protection for the job.
• Never a use a ladder that has broken, loose or missing parts. Make sure your ladder is secured and keep three points of contact with it at all times. That means two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand when climbing, and two feet and one hand when working. Never stretch to reach sideways when you’re on a ladder – get down and move the ladder to avoid it tipping over.
• Chainsaws can be very dangerous, so if you don’t know how to use one, don’t try. Instead, get someone in to do the job. If you do know how to use it, give it a thorough check before you start it to make sure nothing’s broken or missing and that the working parts are lubricated. Wear full safety gear, never cut above your shoulder and never use a chainsaw to cut anything other than wood.
• Use a Residual Current Device (RCD) if you’re working with power tools outside. This piece of equipment can prevent you being electrocuted.
• Don’t overstretch yourself. If you don’t think you have the skills for the job, hire an experienced tradesperson.

The dangers of decorating

Decorating products should be handled with care. Paints, for example, can contain potentially harmful chemicals such as solvents and volatile organic compounds (VoCs). Inhaling these as paint fumes can make conditions like asthma and sinusitis worse.

Solvents can be absorbed into the lungs and then the bloodstream, which can cause headaches and dizziness. When VoCs are inhaled they can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. Studies on animals have found that when these chemicals are used often and in large quantities, there’s a link to birth defects, cancers and damage to
the central nervous system.

Professional painters are most at risk – according to the World Health organisation their risk of a range of cancers, particularly lung cancer, is increased by 20%. Studies also suggest that long-term exposure to paint solvents can cause a neurological condition called painter’s dementia, while men regularly exposed to the chemicals in paint may be more prone to fertility problems.

It’s possible to buy paints that are solvent and VoC-free. But if you do use paints containing these compounds, make sure all the windows in the room you’re working in are open, and take frequent breaks in the fresh air. Wear a respirator mask and don’t use the room until the paint is completely dry.

Be careful when you’re using methylated spirits, turps, varnish and paint strippers. And remember that products containing solvents are highly flammable. You should also avoid getting them on your skin as they can cause a reaction.

other substances to be wary of include bleaches and other cleaners that tackle mould and mildew. They may contain chemicals that give off toxic fumes, and can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Don’t use products containing bleach and ammonia in the same room – their fumes can combine to produce toxic gases that can attack your throat and lungs.