The global COVID-19 pandemic left many companies out of business. Those that are still able to operate also suffer losses because customers fear exposure to the virus and postpone hiring service providers.
As a painting business owner, it is your job to show that your employees and customers are your #1 priority. You can do that by communicating the measures you’ve taken to manage the health crisis. After all, it’s all about protecting your team and your customers, right?
Here’s what you need to know about protecting the well-being of your team and your customers.
It All Starts With Disinfection
Aside from following your normal standards of procedure regarding employee protection and safety, you need to introduce additional measures. Train your employees to disinfect their equipment, tools, brushes, toolboxes, door handles, vehicles, and other painting gear.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Painters
Eye and Face Protection
All painters should wear either safety glasses or face shields to protect themselves from getting foreign objects and chemical particles into their eyes. For example, when preparing surfaces for painting, removing old paint, sanding, etc.
Hand Protection
It’s crucial for painters to not only cover their face but their hands too. Using chemical-resistant painting gloves each time they handle paint materials is a must. This is especially important during paint mixing, spraying, and gun cleaning. Not all painting gloves provide the same protection, so keep that in mind as well.
Head Protection
Hard hats are important when working on construction sites when there is the potential of objects falling from above or getting bumps to the head from fixed objects. Teach your painters to routinely disinfect their hard hats and inspect them for dents, cracks, and signs of deterioration so they can be replaced asap.
Foot Protection
Painters and construction workers, in general, need to wear boots or shoes with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles to prevent harm from falling objects and working around heavy equipment.
General Social Distancing and Hygiene Practices for Painters
As a business owner and/or manager, you should:
- Educate your painters on recognizing the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as how the virus is potentially contracted and spread.
- Set social distancing and hygiene practices within the company. These should include:
- Avoiding physical contact and keeping at least 6 feet away between team members and from customers and other individuals;
- Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when handwashing isn’t possible;
- Encouraging employees to drive to work sites individually to avoid unnecessary clustering of people;
- Finding alternatives to shaking hands upon entering a job site as well as educating painters on the importance of wearing cloth masks and gloves to avoid transmission from touching their face;
- Educate employees on the types, proper use, removal, decontamination, and handling of any PPE they use.
- Inform people they should wash their hands regularly, avoid touching their nose, mouth, or eyes with dirty hands, and always cover their mouth when they sneeze or cough.
To find more useful resources and updates about the spread of the coronavirus, check back regularly with the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization websites. Don’t forget to make a COVID-19 update post in Google My Business in case your company has been affected by the pandemic.
