Painting and Decorating at Height

Painting and decorating at height accounts for a significant number of fall-from-height injuries each year.
Many painting tasks are short duration, leading workers to use inappropriate access such as chairs or boxes.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require a hierarchy of control even for brief tasks above ground.
Podium steps, tower scaffolds, and MEWPs are safer alternatives to ladders for painting work.
Ladders may be used for light, short-duration work only where a risk assessment supports their use.
Overreaching from any access equipment is a primary cause of falls during painting activities.
Solvent-based paints and primers used at height can cause dizziness, increasing fall risk.
Roller extension poles and long-handled tools reduce the need to work at height for some tasks.
External painting on scaffolds requires edge protection and toe boards to prevent falls and drops.
Wet paint on platforms and step treads creates slip hazards that must be managed during the work.

Fall injuries	Falls during painting and decorating are common and often result from overreaching, makeshift platforms, or ladder misuse.
Fume effects	Solvent fumes at height cause dizziness and disorientation, significantly increasing the risk of falling.
Legal requirement	The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height including short-duration painting tasks.

Do

Don't

Select the safest access equipment for the height and duration of the painting task
Use podium steps or tower scaffolds instead of ladders where practicable
Move access equipment rather than overreaching from a fixed position
Use roller extension poles to reduce the need to work above ground level
Ventilate the area when using solvent-based paints, especially at height
Secure all paint pots and tools on platforms to prevent them falling
Check platforms and step treads for wet paint before standing on them
Ensure scaffolds have guardrails, toeboards, and full boarding in place
Complete a risk assessment for every painting task carried out at height
Wear non-slip footwear suitable for working on platforms and ladders

DON'T use chairs, boxes, or buckets as makeshift platforms for painting
DON'T overreach from ladders, platforms, or MEWPs while painting
DON'T use ladders for painting tasks where a safer alternative is available
DON'T ignore dizziness from solvent fumes while working at height — descend
DON'T leave paint tins balanced on scaffold boards where they can be knocked off
DON'T stand on the top three rungs of a stepladder while painting
DON'T carry large containers of paint up a ladder — use a hoist or rope line
DON'T paint in areas with inadequate ventilation using solvent-based products
DON'T remove scaffold edge protection to reach areas behind guardrails
DON'T skip the risk assessment because the painting task seems simple or quick

See also: Painting and Decorating Safety | Working at Height Hierarchy of Control

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