Play safe, Dads

Dads are being reminded to take care when doing work around the house, particularly with their new Father’s Day toys.

Fair Trading QLD (OFT) says car jacks, ladders and tools (especially angle grinders) are often connected with injuries during DIY projects, while almost 1300 people are hospitalised each year across Australia due to ladder injuries alone.

According to OFT, most DIY injuries are the result of lack of awareness about how to use a product safely, not following instructions and using the wrong tool for the job.

Whether you’re planning a complex task or want to try out your new power tool, first do some research by reading the manual, asking your local hardware store for advice or looking online for videos and tips from reliable sources about how to get the job done safely.

And for safety’s sake, always use a licensed electrician for any electrical work.

If a ladder is your new favourite tool, the Housing Industry Association suggests the following precautions could help you avoid injury:

- Choose the right ladder for the job; it should meet Australian standards and the load requirements of the job;
- Inspect the ladder for damage before each use;
- Only use a ladder if you are physically-capable of doing so;
- Always set up the ladder on a flat, stable surface. If this isn’t possible then use a ladder that includes ladder safety devices like leg levellers, anti-slip gutter guards and stabilisers;
- Always maintain three-point of contact when climbing or descending the ladder. This means two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand;
- Do not carry materials or tools by hand while climbing the ladder. Tools should be carried in a tool belt or side pouch;
- Never lean or reach away from the ladder while using it;
- A-frame ladders should only be used when locked in the fully-open position;
- If you’re using an extension ladder, secure it at the top, bottom or both. If this isn’t possible then have someone hold the ladder in place while in use;
- Extension ladders should be angled at a ratio of 1:4. That is, position the base of the ladder 1 metre away from the structure for every 4 metres of height;
- Do not climb or work past the second-last rung of a ladder, and never straddle the top of an A-frame ladder;
- When climbing down, remain facing the ladder and climb to the bottom rung before stepping off.