Stanley’s DIY Guide to Safety available from Sperian consists of a comprehensive range of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect professional and DIY handymen.  

DIY renovations have become popular in Australia thanks to various television shows. There has also been a corresponding increase in DIY injuries with an estimated 75% of emergency room visits a result of injuries inflicted while undertaking home renovations and repairs, according to a 2005 University of West Australia report.  

The report attributes the DIY injuries to DIY’ers not using protection gear while working on renovations.  

Stanley’s DIY Guide to Safety offers a range of industrial style protection to suit every renovation job, with equipment that meets rigorous Australian industry safety standards. Available at selected hardware stores, the Stanley range of personal protective equipment is designed for both the professional and DIY handyman.  

Knocking down walls  

Stanley disposable respirators, hearing protection and appropriate safety eyewear are recommended for jobs such as knocking down walls, protecting the user against dust, flying particles or objects and loud noise.  

Stanley disposable respirators prevent inhalation of harmful contaminants including dust, mist and fumes, which can not only seriously damage the lungs, but also cause long-term health problems.  

Ideal for use at home, Stanley disposable respirators are rated to P2 under Australian standards and are available with or without a valve.  

Building a deck  

Stanley’s DIY Guide to Safety recommends earmuffs for DIY enthusiasts working on an outdoor decking project.  

Outdoor decking work exposes DIY’ers to a wide range of hazards from dust and flying particles to loud noise from using a saw, angle grinder or nail gun. In Victoria, the OH&S Noise Regulations set exposure standards as 85 dB averaged over an 8-hour period to a maximum noise level of 140 dB(C).  

Noise control may not always be a practical solution for reducing or eliminating noise in a workplace. Stanley’s AM/FM earmuffs offer adequate hearing protection for people working in noisy areas. Suitable for all-day use in a lightweight design and featuring a unique headband, the comfortable earmuffs allow users to tune in to their favourite radio stations while protecting their hearing.  

Installing a bathroom  

Demolition, tiling, cutting and plumbing are some of the jobs involved while installing a new bathroom or renovating an existing one. In addition to wearing safety equipment to protect against dust, the smell of glues, sealants and grouting as well as loud noise, home DIY’ers must also wear appropriate gloves to avoid injuries from sharp-edged tiles.  

The Stanley WorkEasy industrial gloves offer superior gripping ability and resistance to minor nicks and cuts, while the nitrile palm coating provides enhanced dexterity. The black liner in the gloves also minimises visible marks such as dirt and staining.  

Painting  

Painting work exposes one to potentially toxic vapours and paint smells. Sperian recommends the Sperian Half Mask Spray Painters Kit, and protective goggles such as the MaxxPro Goggle.  

Sold in a handy clam pack, the Stanley Spray Painters Kit includes a half mask respirator with A2 organic vapour filters and P2 rated pre filters making the equipment ideal for acrylic paints and non 2-pac paint applications.  

MaxxPro Goggle protective goggles are built tough while providing premium comfort and maximum protection. Designed to fit over most prescription glasses, the goggles are also ideal for extreme jobs such as sanding and woodworking that may expose the eye to dust particles or splinters.

Sanding

Hand and eye injuries account for over 50% of all injuries occurring from DIY activities. Eye injuries during sanding can be easily prevented by wearing appropriate eyewear, which is lightweight and offers superior impact resistance such as Stanley Strategy Goggle.

The Strategy safety goggles can be worn indoors and outdoors, and are designed to create a seal around the eyes to prevent dust from getting in and causing injury or irritation.     

Gardening  

Gardening accounted for over 20% of DIY injuries in Victoria in 2005 with lawn mowing one of the top ten causes of hospital admissions. Hearing loss as well as cuts and abrasions from flying debris and stones are all easily preventable if correct safety equipment is used.  

Stanley by Sperian includes a range of safety eyewear, hearing protection and gloves that are recommended for DIY’ers to prevent injuries inflicted while using gardening implements.