When starting a new job, it’s crucial for workers to receive comprehensive training on the hazards and safety precautions. Both employers and employees play a vital role in ensuring a safe work environment. In 2022, over 1,000 construction workers died on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While employers are responsible for providing safe working conditions and maintaining equipment, the ultimate responsibility for adhering to safety practices is with the workers. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) provides safety training from the apprenticeship level all the way to journeyperson level to make sure everyone goes home to their families.

To help floor covering installers stay safe and efficient on the job, it’s important to remain vigilant about potential dangers, especially when working with:

• Knives, hand tools, and electric-powered tools
• Volatile solvents and adhesives
• Other hazardous chemicals used in the trade

When removing old floor covering, special care must be taken as they may contain hazardous materials. The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in these situations.

Federal agencies and organizations, like the IUPAT, are committed to protecting workers by raising awareness of occupational hazards. Each year, significant time and resources are dedicated to reducing these risks by:

• Educating workers about potential dangers on the job
• Promoting new and improved safety practices
• Encouraging workers to stay informed about job-related hazards
• Reinforcing the consistent use of applicable PPE

Accidents are unexpected events that disrupt work activities and can lead to injuries. After each accident, it’s important to analyze the causes and take immediate steps to prevent similar incidents. Safety rules and practices must be tailored to the specific conditions of each jobsite to be truly effective. To prevent accidents due to poor housekeeping, workers should:

• Keep the work area free of garbage and debris
• Store tools properly in toolboxes
• Ensure materials are stored away from passageways and work areas

Wearing proper work clothing provides a layer of protection against tools and debris. Additionally, workers should use respirators, mechanical ventilation, and eye, ear, and hearing protection when operating sanding machines or other equipment that generates dust or noise.

Within floor covering, injuries to the spine are more common than any other type of injury. Lifting, lowering and carrying materials using unsafe methods can lead to strains, sprains, hernias, and even fractures. When these unsafe practices are combined with hazardous working conditions, such as cluttered floors or narrow hallways, the risk of falls, and injuries to fingers and toes increases significantly. In addition to spinal injuries, a high number of on-the-job injuries also comes from loading and unloading heavy materials. To safely move these heavy objects, workers should use a standard hand truck to reduce the result of injury.

Floor Covering installers often operate electric saws, drills, sanders, and buffers and may also use chipping hammers, grinders, routers and heat guns. Safety tips for using these tools include:

• Using only heavy-duty extension cords with grounding conductors
• Avoiding handing, bending, or running cords across sharp objects, nails, wet surfaces or areas where vehicles might run over them
• Repairing or replacing damaged insulation or fitting promptly

Workers must be knowledgeable about the tools they use and the associated hazards. Electric shock is a primary risk when using electrically powered tools and can lead to burns, injuries from falls or even death. To minimize this risk, only approved electric tools should be used. In the event of an electrical accident, use dry, non-conductive materials to free a victim from contact with live wires.

Many adhesives and mastics used in floor covering are flammable, toxic or both. When handling these materials, workers should:

• Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) carefully
• Avoid transferring adhesives from their original containers
• Follow the usage instructions meticulously
• Avoid skin contact with adhesives
• Ensure the work area is well-ventilated Handle flammable adhesives with extreme caution
• Wash hands thoroughly after use

Throughout their careers, IUPAT Floor Covering members are offered training on being safe on a construction site, and any changes on safety standards. However, it is from day one that the importance of safety is given to an IUPAT Floor Covering Apprentice. Students are taught how to identify the hazards specific to the floor covering trades, explain the essential safety practices that floor covering installers must always keep in mind, and describe the correct methods for handling heaving rolls of materials. Additionally, they will be able to identify special hazards related to working with mastics and adhesives, recognizing good safety habits when using power tools, determine how to properly lift and carry loads, understand the potential dangers of live wires, and know what steps to take when encountering a potential hazardous condition on the job. 

The IUPAT is constantly working with industry leaders to maintain information and training about safety practices and updates on safety equipment on construction sites. Floor covering installers can also be there for each other by reporting and noticing hazards, so everyone can get home to their families at the end of the day.