Carpet & Hard Floors Restoration Safe Work Method Statement

Respiratory protection requirements depend on specific hazards encountered during restoration work. For mold remediation or work in dusty environments, P2 or P3 disposable respirators or half-face reusable respirators with P2/P3 particulate filters provide adequate protection against spores and dust. For application of volatile chemical products including floor strippers, timber finishes, or volatile cleaning agents, half-face respirators with organic vapour (Type A) cartridges protect against VOC inhalation. For contaminated environment restoration involving combined biological and chemical hazards, full-face respirators with combination organic vapour and P3 particulate cartridges provide simultaneous protection. Full-face respirators also protect eyes from chemical splashes, providing dual protection. Critically, all respirators require proper facial seal to be effective; facial hair prevents seal and renders respiratory protection ineffective. Workers must be clean-shaven in areas where respirator seals against face. Fit-testing should be conducted to verify each worker achieves adequate seal with assigned respirator model and size. Respirators must be inspected before each use, cartridges replaced according to manufacturer schedule or when breakthrough occurs (detectable chemical odour through filters), and respirators cleaned and stored properly between uses. Relying on inadequate respiratory protection during heavy chemical use or mold exposure creates false security whilst allowing dangerous inhalation exposure.

Biological hazard management requires systematic assessment, appropriate PPE, containment procedures, and specialized cleaning protocols. Pre-work assessment identifies contamination source and category: Category 1 (clean water), Category 2 (grey water with microbial contamination), or Category 3 (black water including sewage, with pathogenic bacteria requiring highest precautions). Category 3 contamination demands full-face respirator with P3 cartridges, Tyvek disposable coveralls, boot covers, double gloves (inner latex, outer chemical-resistant), and eye protection. Establish containment barriers using plastic sheeting to prevent cross-contamination to adjacent spaces. Remove gross contamination and damaged porous materials including carpet, padding and wet drywall that cannot be effectively decontaminated. HEPA vacuum all affected surfaces to capture residual spores and biological material. Apply EPA-registered antimicrobial disinfectant at label rates, ensuring manufacturer-specified contact time is achieved before drying. For sewage contamination, follow two-step process using detergent cleaning followed by disinfectant application. Verify biological load reduction using ATP rapid testing or laboratory microbial culture if contamination was severe. Implement strict hygiene protocols: prohibit eating, drinking or smoking in contaminated areas, require thorough handwashing after glove removal, establish decontamination station at exit including boot wash and glove disposal, and bag all contaminated materials in sealed plastic for proper disposal. Never attempt contaminated environment restoration without appropriate training, PPE and protocols as exposures can cause serious illness.

Electrical safety is critical when operating powered cleaning equipment, particularly in wet or water-damaged environments where shock risks intensify dramatically. All electrical outlets used for equipment must have functional ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection that interrupts current within milliseconds if leakage is detected. Test GFCI devices using test button before connecting equipment; if reset button does not trip, outlet is not protected and portable GFCI device must be used. Inspect all equipment and extension cords before each use for damaged insulation, exposed conductors, cracked plugs, or moisture intrusion; any damaged electrical equipment must be removed from service immediately. In water-damaged buildings, have licensed electrician verify electrical systems are safe before introducing powered equipment; do not assume building wiring is functional or safe. Never operate electrical equipment whilst standing in water; use elevated dry platforms or pump out standing water before beginning powered operations. Route extension cords to minimize contact with wet surfaces, using cord covers or elevated cable runs. Never overload circuits; verify electrical capacity is adequate for equipment demands, typically 15-20 amps per cleaning machine. Use double-insulated equipment rated IP54 or higher where available, providing moisture-resistant enclosure protection. If worker experiences any tingling sensation when contacting equipment, immediately disconnect power and have equipment inspected before continued use. Maintain situational awareness of water accumulation around electrical equipment throughout restoration operations. Following these electrical safety protocols prevents fatal electrocutions that have occurred when basic precautions were not observed.

Slip and fall prevention requires comprehensive access control, hazard communication, accelerated drying, and administrative procedures. Before beginning any wet work, establish physical barriers using caution tape, stanchions or temporary fencing at all entrances to work area, preventing unauthorized entry by building occupants and untrained workers. Post prominent wet floor warning signs in multiple languages at minimum 5-metre intervals throughout wet zones and at every potential entry point. Use multilingual signage with universal wet floor symbols to communicate hazards to diverse occupants. Designate and maintain dry walkways using absorbent mats or temporary walkway boards, replacing mats when saturated to maintain dry passage. Coordinate with building management to implement temporary alternative routes for occupants, avoiding wet areas entirely where feasible. Accelerate drying using high-velocity air movers at rate of 1 unit per 150 square metres, dehumidifiers to extract airborne moisture, and maximized building ventilation to expel humid air. Monitor drying progress using moisture meters at regular intervals until complete drying is verified. For timber floor finishes that remain slippery during curing, maintain barriers for full manufacturer-specified cure time (typically 2-8 hours) before allowing foot traffic. Stage work in sections allowing completion and drying of areas before workers must transit them, maintaining designated clean pathways throughout project. Schedule high-impact restoration work during off-peak hours (nights, weekends) when building occupancy is minimal, reducing occupant exposure to wet surface hazards. Maintain barriers and signage throughout entire drying period, not just during active cleaning. Brief other trades working in building regarding wet areas and required access routes. Document barrier placement, signage deployment and drying timeline demonstrating due diligence in slip hazard management.