Commercial Painting Safety: Protecting Workers and Customers During Projects

Commercial painting comes with safety risks. To protect your workers and customers, follow the safety guidelines and best practices in this article during commercial painting.
Training Personnel on Safety Protocols
Commercial painters must undergo extensive commercial painting safety training. Unfortunately, some contractors simply pay lip service to safety. So, when selecting a painting contractor, go for one that provides its workers with ongoing, up-to-date safety programs.
Training includes protocols for working while high up on a scaffold, proper use of equipment, and emergency procedures. However, others go the extra mile and offer their crew members first-aid training as well. This allows them to provide basic, immediate intervention should an accident happen.
Compliance With Health and Safety Regulations
Government agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), establish regulations such as hazard communication, safe scaffolding usage, and other safety requirements. Painting contractors and employers must ensure compliance with these regulations. Compliance is necessary to minimize risks, prevent accidents, and lower the risk of legal issues and potentially costly fines.
Pre-Project Preparation and Planning for Safety
Another way to ensure the safety of workers and everyone around the work area is to perform a thorough risk assessment before commercial painting begins. Common hazards include slippery floors, precarious heights, and proximity to electrical outlets. Then, determine and implement appropriate control measures.
Provide proper ventilation in the work area so harmful fumes don't build up. Also, ensure that the surrounding areas are flame- and spark-free to minimize the risk of electrocution and fire. Store fire extinguishers and other emergency equipment in easily accessible places. When painting properties built before 1978, test painted surfaces for lead. Find out more about what the safety precautions are during painting.
Practicing Safe Storage, Handling, and Disposal of Painting Materials
To ensure paint safety, practice proper paint storage, handling, and disposal techniques. Seal paint containers and store them in a cool, dry place away from sources of heat. Follow the instructions from your local waste officials when disposing of unused paint.
If you don’t know what to do with paint, consult safety data sheets (SDS). These documents contain information about safe storage, handling, and use. They may also list the product's chemical and physical characteristics, including reactivity, hazardous ingredients, and health hazard data.
Wearing Safety Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to ensure safety during painting. Standard PPE for commercial painters includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Respiratory protection is also necessary. Depending on the paint they're using, painters may select powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), half-face respirators, or disposable masks. When a painter works on a scaffold, wearing a safety harness or a fall arrest system is necessary to prevent falls that could cause serious injuries and death.
Fostering Safety Culture
At Anderson Painting, safety is our top priority. The team works tirelessly to ensure that every team member who goes to the field to handle commercial or residential painting projects returns home to their loved ones unscathed every single day. Therefore, we keep them well-trained and equipped with safety knowledge and tools.
Are you ready to transform your commercial space? Our Anderson Painting team will ensure a quality finish that’s up to code. Please feel free to talk to our friendly staff to learn more about our services.