DIY Safety

Ladders
-   Follow instructions with particular reference to load limits and maintenance.
-   Avoid climbing higher than the third rung from the top of the ladder.
-   Lean ladders against solid structures, if leaning the ladder against alternatives the ladder must be secured with a rope or device such as a ladder stabiliser, stand off bracket or leveller.
-   Improve the security of the base of the ladder to prevent the ladder slipping, ensuring the area around the base is stable and free of obstacles.
-   Avoid placing ladders on an unstable base to obtain extra height.
-   Reposition the ladder so that stretching is not required Ã¢â‚¬â€ the limit of movement should be 1/2 metre from the shoulder.
-   Ensure that stepladders and trestle ladders are fully spread and locked with all four legs on a secure, level base.
-   Place the head of a single extension ladder by obtaining the correct angle, that is for every one measure out from the wall - match with four measures up the wall or line of the upper resting point.
-   Ensure that at least 3 rungs of the ladder extend beyond the roofs edge it using the ladder to get onto the roof.
-   Ensure that longer extension ladders (over18 rungs) overlap by at least 3 rungs.
-   Avoid carrying heavy items or long lengths of material up the ladder.
-   Have another person available to prevent interference from other people of vehicles.
-   Wear non-slip or flat footwear.
-   Consider, particularly for older persons, one's ability to use a ladder safely especially taking existing cardiac conditions, or history of dizzy spells into consideration.

Grinders
-   Wear protective eyewear that fully covers the eyes, fits comfortably, does not fog, fits firmly not allowing penetration of fine particles.
-    Keep guards in place when using a bench grinder.

Welders
-    Wear eye protection in accordance with AS/NZS1336:1997 and AS/ NZS1338:1992.
-    Wear face shields if there is a chance of splatter.
-    Wear goggles when removing slag from the weld.
-    Wear protective clothing to minimise the risk of skin damage eg. Flame resistant gloves and safety shoes.

Power Saws
-    Avoid wearing loose clothing; including gloves and tie back hair.
-    Wear appropriate eye and hearing protection and respirators when exposed to dust.
-    Securely clamp all materials, where possible, to stable supports.
-    Allow the saw to obtain full power before commencing the cut, hold the saw with both hands during operation and if the blade needs to be stopped during the cut then hold the saw firmly and do not resume the cut until the blade has once again reached full speed.
-    Use small scraps of wood to prevent the cut closing and the saw jamming.
-    Return the lower retractor guard into place before laying down the saw, guards should never be clamped or wedged in an open position.
-    Use, where possible, saws with built-in dust collectors to protect the eyes and respiratory system.
-    Investigate design options such as riving knives and slip clutches to prevent kick back and faster blade braking to stop blade rotation more rapidly.

The most important aspect of any renovation, DIY or new project is to never lose sight of why you are doing it. No one ever sets out on a course to intentionally injure himself or herself or a loved one, but sometimes when looking back on a situation which went wrong, we wonder what possessed us to do what we did. Put it down to impatience or ignorance, sometimes, just bloody-mindedness, the reality is, if we take a shortcut, it may or may not come off. The judgement of what has transpired will be made by all those affected by the result.

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