Difference between revisions of "Safety"
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DIY has an unfortunate relationship with Safety: in hospital A&E departments across the country Easter Sunday - traditionally the most popular time of the year for DIY activities - is known as '''Bloody Sunday'''! | DIY has an unfortunate relationship with Safety: in hospital A&E departments across the country Easter Sunday - traditionally the most popular time of the year for DIY activities - is known as '''Bloody Sunday'''! | ||
| + | |||
| + | These injuries are not inherent in the job, but are normally due to failure of the DIYer to see the risks and take measures to eliminate or minimise them. | ||
Here are some resources for staying out of A&E and into DIY: | Here are some resources for staying out of A&E and into DIY: | ||
| Line 12: | Line 14: | ||
; Gas Safety | ; Gas Safety | ||
: [http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Ed Sirett's Gas Fitting FAQ] | : [http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Ed Sirett's Gas Fitting FAQ] | ||
| − | : By Law you must be '''competent''' to carry out any gas work! - read this before even thinking of doing your own. | + | : By Law you must be '''competent''' to carry out any gas work! - read this before even thinking of doing your own. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =Assessment= | ||
| + | This is all very basic, but too often overlooked. This results in DIY related injuries every day. Knowing something is not enough, you also have to do it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Before doing work it is wise to assess your awareness of the risks. If your knowledge level is insufficient to know the risks, a bit of reading first should help keep you out of A&E. News:uk.d-i-y and [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]] are useful for this. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also check you have adequate precautions in place to avoid or minimise the risks. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Most DIY jobs are worth the minimal risks involved, but there are exceptions. Some jobs are dangerous enough that it would not be a good choice for most people to attempt them, and sometimes people dont have enough skill to stay safe. Paying a tradesman can be a good choice in these cases. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Lastly there is a minority of individuals that simply should not get involved in DIY at all. The TV series 'Some mothers do ave em' illustrates that one. News:uk.d-i-y can sometimes help by offering another perspective on your planned work, but assessing someone's abilities on the strength of a few posts is not a reliable process. | ||
| + | |||
=Chemicals= | =Chemicals= | ||
==Cleaning Chemicals== | ==Cleaning Chemicals== | ||
===Bleach=== | ===Bleach=== | ||
| − | Never let bleach and acid meet, or chlorine gas will form. Chlorine gas was one of the main chemical warfare gases used in WW1. It only takes a few breaths to kill, so if you smell chlorine, evacuate immediately, | + | Never let bleach and acid meet, or chlorine gas will form. Chlorine gas was one of the main chemical warfare gases used in WW1. It only takes a few breaths to kill, so if you smell chlorine, evacuate immediately, don't hang about to work out what went wrong. |
===Acids=== | ===Acids=== | ||
Acids used in DIY cover the spectrum from mild food acids such as citric acid to acids like HCl capable of dissolving all body parts. | Acids used in DIY cover the spectrum from mild food acids such as citric acid to acids like HCl capable of dissolving all body parts. | ||
| − | ===Patio Cleaner=== | + | ====Patio Cleaner==== |
| − | ===Vinegar=== | + | ====Vinegar==== |
| − | + | Vinegar is entirely innocent until used, but once it gets onto copper (or any copper alloy) it becomes saturated with copper salts. Copper is actully an essential nutrient in miniscule quantities, but the amounts found in copper cleaning runoff are enough to cause serious problems. Even vinegar can land you in trouble. | |
| − | + | ===Alkalis=== | |
| − | Alkalis are worse than acids in some ways. Acid in the eye will receive | + | Alkalis are worse than acids in some ways. Acid in the eye will receive immediate treatment due to pain, but an alkali in the eye may cause no immediate suffering, and begin eating into the eyeball. Once this process occurs it is difficult to impossible to stop, if you wait before seeking treatment you may lose part of your sight in the affected eye. |
====Caustic Soda==== | ====Caustic Soda==== | ||
Sodium hydroxide | Sodium hydroxide | ||
| + | |||
Probably the strongest alkali used in DIY, caustic should be kept off skin and eyes, and any eye contact should prompt immediate washing and medical assistance. Skin contact is less of an issue in that it causes pain before any serious harm is done, and is easily washed off. | Probably the strongest alkali used in DIY, caustic should be kept off skin and eyes, and any eye contact should prompt immediate washing and medical assistance. Skin contact is less of an issue in that it causes pain before any serious harm is done, and is easily washed off. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Caustic soda, washing soda and baking soda are all different chemicals. | ||
====Lime==== | ====Lime==== | ||
Lime irritates some skins, and is the component in cement that causes skin irritation. Note that some mortar mixes also contain other alkaline components such as fly ash. | Lime irritates some skins, and is the component in cement that causes skin irritation. Note that some mortar mixes also contain other alkaline components such as fly ash. | ||
| + | |||
| + | When the job is over, applying vinegar to hands after washing seems to make skin comfortable again much more quickly. | ||
===Toxins=== | ===Toxins=== | ||
====Oxalic acid==== | ====Oxalic acid==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =Heights= | ||
| + | One of the problems with working at height is that things can go a lot more wrong than may be realised in advance. See [http://www.emofree.com/Humor/accident-report.htm Gerard Hofnung's famous story about the barrel of bricks.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =Excavation= | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Power Tools= | ||
| + | Drill | ||
| + | Circular saw | ||
| + | Chainsaw | ||
| + | Holesaw | ||
| + | Dremel | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Water= | ||
| + | ==Hot Water== | ||
| + | ===Hot water tank temperature=== | ||
| + | ===Showers=== | ||
| + | Scalding | ||
| + | ===Hot header tanks=== | ||
| + | May soften and collapse | ||
| + | ==Steam== | ||
| + | ==Pressurised water== | ||
| + | (eg pressure washers) | ||
| + | ==Infection== | ||
| + | Pigeon in tank etc | ||
| + | |||
| + | Backfeeding & double check valves | ||
| + | ==Wells== | ||
| + | Well water is prone to a wide range of safety issues, and should always be tested before being used as potable water. The need for remedial treatment before consumption is routine. | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Lifting= | ||
| + | ==Load Limits== | ||
| + | Observe the Safe Working Load limits stamped on the ratings plate on your butt, don't exceed your rated values. This is sometimes difficult to read due to its location, in which case your load rating can be assessed by a doctor or physical therapist. Ratings may vary widely between different models of DIYer, so it is not always wise to make assumptions. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Exceeding the printed ratings may cause some of the zeros to fall off, leaving the DIYer unable to work. Although this damage can often be repaired by a body shop, the repair process is often long and costly, and in some cases the damage is permanent. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Method of lifting== | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =Sewage= | ||
| + | Sewage works & pipes are a septic system. The smell is caused by very high levels of bacteria, some of which can be very dangerous to humans if ingested. | ||
| + | * Observing good hygiene is especially important around sewage | ||
| + | * When clearing a drain using a pressure washer, wear protection to prevent splashing to eyes, nose or mouth. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =Falling Debris= | ||
| + | Hard hats should be worn when there is a risk of falling debris. | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Screws= | ||
| + | Screwing causes injuries too. See [[Screws]] | ||
[[Category:Safety]] | [[Category:Safety]] | ||
Revision as of 13:08, 22 February 2007
This article needs expanding: please see Discussion page
DIY has an unfortunate relationship with Safety: in hospital A&E departments across the country Easter Sunday - traditionally the most popular time of the year for DIY activities - is known as Bloody Sunday!
These injuries are not inherent in the job, but are normally due to failure of the DIYer to see the risks and take measures to eliminate or minimise them.
Here are some resources for staying out of A&E and into DIY:
- Electrical Safety
- Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Safety Guidelines
- Read at least once before taking the cover off any electrical equipment!
- Gas Safety
- Ed Sirett's Gas Fitting FAQ
- By Law you must be competent to carry out any gas work! - read this before even thinking of doing your own.
Assessment
This is all very basic, but too often overlooked. This results in DIY related injuries every day. Knowing something is not enough, you also have to do it.
Before doing work it is wise to assess your awareness of the risks. If your knowledge level is insufficient to know the risks, a bit of reading first should help keep you out of A&E. News:uk.d-i-y and Wiki Contents are useful for this.
Also check you have adequate precautions in place to avoid or minimise the risks.
Most DIY jobs are worth the minimal risks involved, but there are exceptions. Some jobs are dangerous enough that it would not be a good choice for most people to attempt them, and sometimes people dont have enough skill to stay safe. Paying a tradesman can be a good choice in these cases.
Lastly there is a minority of individuals that simply should not get involved in DIY at all. The TV series 'Some mothers do ave em' illustrates that one. News:uk.d-i-y can sometimes help by offering another perspective on your planned work, but assessing someone's abilities on the strength of a few posts is not a reliable process.
Chemicals
Cleaning Chemicals
Bleach
Never let bleach and acid meet, or chlorine gas will form. Chlorine gas was one of the main chemical warfare gases used in WW1. It only takes a few breaths to kill, so if you smell chlorine, evacuate immediately, don't hang about to work out what went wrong.
Acids
Acids used in DIY cover the spectrum from mild food acids such as citric acid to acids like HCl capable of dissolving all body parts.
Patio Cleaner
Vinegar
Vinegar is entirely innocent until used, but once it gets onto copper (or any copper alloy) it becomes saturated with copper salts. Copper is actully an essential nutrient in miniscule quantities, but the amounts found in copper cleaning runoff are enough to cause serious problems. Even vinegar can land you in trouble.
Alkalis
Alkalis are worse than acids in some ways. Acid in the eye will receive immediate treatment due to pain, but an alkali in the eye may cause no immediate suffering, and begin eating into the eyeball. Once this process occurs it is difficult to impossible to stop, if you wait before seeking treatment you may lose part of your sight in the affected eye.
Caustic Soda
Sodium hydroxide
Probably the strongest alkali used in DIY, caustic should be kept off skin and eyes, and any eye contact should prompt immediate washing and medical assistance. Skin contact is less of an issue in that it causes pain before any serious harm is done, and is easily washed off.
Caustic soda, washing soda and baking soda are all different chemicals.
Lime
Lime irritates some skins, and is the component in cement that causes skin irritation. Note that some mortar mixes also contain other alkaline components such as fly ash.
When the job is over, applying vinegar to hands after washing seems to make skin comfortable again much more quickly.
Toxins
Oxalic acid
Heights
One of the problems with working at height is that things can go a lot more wrong than may be realised in advance. See Gerard Hofnung's famous story about the barrel of bricks.]
Excavation
Power Tools
Drill Circular saw Chainsaw Holesaw Dremel
Water
Hot Water
Hot water tank temperature
Showers
Scalding
Hot header tanks
May soften and collapse
Steam
Pressurised water
(eg pressure washers)
Infection
Pigeon in tank etc
Backfeeding & double check valves
Wells
Well water is prone to a wide range of safety issues, and should always be tested before being used as potable water. The need for remedial treatment before consumption is routine.
Lifting
Load Limits
Observe the Safe Working Load limits stamped on the ratings plate on your butt, don't exceed your rated values. This is sometimes difficult to read due to its location, in which case your load rating can be assessed by a doctor or physical therapist. Ratings may vary widely between different models of DIYer, so it is not always wise to make assumptions.
Exceeding the printed ratings may cause some of the zeros to fall off, leaving the DIYer unable to work. Although this damage can often be repaired by a body shop, the repair process is often long and costly, and in some cases the damage is permanent.
Method of lifting
Sewage
Sewage works & pipes are a septic system. The smell is caused by very high levels of bacteria, some of which can be very dangerous to humans if ingested.
- Observing good hygiene is especially important around sewage
- When clearing a drain using a pressure washer, wear protection to prevent splashing to eyes, nose or mouth.
Falling Debris
Hard hats should be worn when there is a risk of falling debris.
Screws
Screwing causes injuries too. See Screws