RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

March 22 , 2005
EASTER’S MACHO DIY FANS MAY PAY IN POUNDS AND PAIN

In a bid to avoid DIY disasters this Easter, RoSPA is urging enthusiasts to be more realistic about their abilities and to call in an expert if they find a job is too much for them.

David Jenkins, Product Safety Adviser for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Far too many DIYers think it’s not macho to ask for help or even to use protective equipment such as goggles.

“It’s far better to seek professional advice at the start rather than press on with the job until it’s been ruined and you’ve been hurt. If you are sure you are capable of doing the work, plan it carefully before you begin.”

The Easter Bank Holiday launches the DIY season as people repair their homes after the ravages of winter and renovate rooms for spring and summer. More than 200,000 DIY enthusiasts turn up at hospital each year - 87,000 of them hurt while using tools and machinery.

“A job which involves working at height is a typical example of one where it may be better to call in a tradesperson,” David Jenkins said. “Ladder and stepladder accidents send 40,000 people to hospital annually – often resulting in the most serious injuries and even death.

“Gas work is by law a job only for those who are CORGI registered. There are also new regulations dealing with what electrical work you can carry out on your home before notifying your local authority’s Building Control Department and employing an expert.

“Power tools can be a problem if instructions are not followed and protective gear not worn. People are even buying chainsaws to use in their gardens these days, and yet someone using one for work would need to have proper training.”

He said more time spent on planning could save pounds and pain later. People needed to be sure they had the skills, tools, materials and time to do a job properly. DIY fans often made mistakes while rushing jobs when they were tired. Children needed to be kept well away from the work area.

The top tools for accidents are: 1, Knives and scalpels (20,000 accidents in the UK each year); 2, Saws (15,000); 3, Grinders (6,500); 4, Hammers (6,000); 5, Chisels (4,000); 6, Screwdrivers (3,500); 7, Power Drills (3,000); 8= Axes, Planes and Welding Equipment (2,000).

DIY materials claiming victims are: 1, Wood, chipboard etc (30,000 accidents); 2, Paving/Concrete Blocks (20,000); 3, Nails (15,000); 4, Metal bars, sheets etc (13,000); 5, Bricks (8,000); 6, Paint and paint pots (4,000); 7, Glue, paste etc (3,000); 8= Screws and Floor/Wall Tiles (2,500); 10, Wallpaper (1,500).