Safety matters

THINGS have changed in the building industry. Gone are the blokes working bare-chested on the roof, squinting against the glare, riding the hook of the crane. Now it's all hi-vis shirts, hats, harnesses and safety goggles - as it should be.

On the weekend, however, it's a different story. "When we DIY we take risks," says Angus Kell, Archicentre's state manager, NSW and ACT. "We'll go on the roof for five minutes without a harness, or stand on top of a ladder to reach a manhole. One of the most common accidents is a fall from a ladder."

Falls from ladders are No. 2 on the list of what sends home handypersons to emergency departments. The biggest offender, according to Monash University's Accident Research Centre, is the angle grinder.

"About 1000 adults present to Victorian emergency departments each year with DIY injuries," says Karen Ashby, research fellow with MUARC. "Grinders cause about a fifth of all DIY injuries and 80 per cent of those caused by grinders are eye injuries. They're the sort of tool that people use for a one-off job, so they don't necessarily use them properly."

Power saws are the third most common cause of injury - mostly to hands and fingers. Unsurprisingly, men aged 30 to 40 are most likely to suffer DIY injuries, with the next biggest group being male retirees.

There are simple precautions. "Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment," Kell says. "Steel cap boots, safety glasses, earmuffs and a mask are a basic kit."

Read the manufacturer's instructions when using a new tool, Ashby adds. Keep your power tools' safety guards in place and "assess the task and work out whether your level of knowledge or expertise is up to it. If not, consult a tradesperson".

Glenis Lloyd, from NSW Health, says renovators can be exposed to toxins through ingestion, inhalation and absorption. A key hazard is lead which, Lloyd says, "doesn't get as much press as asbestos, but it should. You can be exposed to lead while sanding or using a heat gun on old paint."

Young children are particularly vulnerable to damage from lead poisoning because their brains and nervous systems are still developing, plus they absorb up to 50 per cent more than adults because they tend to be down there in the dust.

"You can inhale or ingest [dust] and it can contain everything from asbestos to lead to paint to sawdust," Lloyd says.

She recommends maintaining a clear division between work and non-work areas when renovating. Other tips include using an Australian standards approved respirator or dust mask, hat, gloves and overalls - and leaving these in your work area when you knock off. Cleaning up is essential, as is ensuring that any asbestos you do find on site is dealt with in the legislated manner.

Whether you're an owner-builder doing a major reno or you've just got a mate around helping you fix the gutters, you need to be aware of your responsibilities. "Ultimately, insurance of the site will fall back to you," Kell says.

"Third-party insurance for your site is a must. Even if you're using tradespeople with insurance in place, if you have an accident that's the result of a workplace strategy you've put in place, the insurance company can claim against you."

Christian Fanker, spokesman for the NSW Office of Fair Trading, says there are a few insurances that owner-builders need to be aware of.

"Workers' compensation is one, and you must talk to WorkCover about your responsibilities," he says. "Ask everyone on site about their level of insurance cover."

Public liability insurance will cover other people visiting your site, from family and friends to the postie and delivery men. Ask your insurance company for advice and check that your renovation work will not void your home and contents insurance.

WorkCover can outline your OH&S responsibilities and a good owner-builder course will ensure you're up to speed: "As an owner-builder you are taking on the role of the builder," Fanker says. "The onus is on you to make sure the various OH&S requirements are met."For more information on these and other issues, see www.workcover.nsw.gov.au and www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.