I think we can all agree that both you and your family’s safety is most important when considering taking on a property restoration project. However this is one aspect that is largely overlooked by the amateur restorer.
So before you start your project you should assess the situation and think of what safety gear you may need; more commonly referred to as PPE (personal protective equipment).
Every different restoration project will have a different set of PPE that should be considered. For example a simple drywall and painting project may require only minimum PPE such as a dust mask and eye protection, but more involved property restoration projects such as a Category-3 water damage loss would require you equip a much more serious set of PPE.
Some examples of PPE include:
- Hard hat
- Goggles
- Rubber boots/ Steel toe boots with protective shanks
- Protective Clothing such as a Tyvek Suit
- Gloves that are chemical resistant
- Respirator
The appropriate set of PPE required really depends on what kind of property restoration project you are taking on. Improper assessment and use of PPE could lead to personal harm, effects of which may not be seen immediately. For example open cuts and sores could become infected if exposed to contamination while inhalation of toxic fumes and particles can cause illness. Lastly we need to protect ourselves from more obvious hazards such as falling objects and electrical shock.
So please, take the time to properly assess your restoration project and think of what PPE you may require. The more specialized the project the higher the chances that you will need specialized PPE.
If you are considering taking on a property restoration project that contains contaminants such as sewage or microbial growth then take a look at my breathing in clean air post as it will help you determine which respirator is right for the job.