CHSE Odisha VOC-ITV Construction Painter & Decorator key terms

The set of wearable items such as gloves, goggles, respirator and safety footwear worn to protect the painter from chemical, dust and physical hazards on site. It is the last line of defence after other controls.

A face mask or cartridge device that filters airborne paint mist, solvent vapour or dust before it reaches the lungs. Correct cartridge choice and a good face seal are essential when spraying or sanding.

A standard document supplied by the coating manufacturer that lists hazards, safe handling, storage, first-aid and disposal instructions for a product. Reading it before opening a container is a basic safety duty.

Solvent or organic chemical that evaporates readily from paint and contributes to air pollution and health effects such as headaches and dizziness. Low-VOC products and good ventilation reduce exposure.

The practice of keeping thinners, solvents and oil paints in approved labelled metal cabinets away from ignition sources, with ventilation and spill containment. Quantities stored in a work area must be limited.

Any work above ground level where a fall could cause injury, such as painting ceilings or exteriors from ladders and scaffolds. It requires planned access, guardrails or fall arrest and a competent person.

A temporary working platform erected to give safe access to high walls and ceilings. It must be stable, fully planked, fitted with guardrails and toe boards, and inspected before use.

A portable ladder of two or more sliding sections used for short-duration access. It is set at roughly a one-in-four angle, tied off at the top and never used as a work platform for long tasks.

A flat, flexible-bladed hand tool used to apply and smooth filler, scrape old paint and press putty into glazing rebates. Blade widths vary for broad filling or fine detail work.

A wider, stiffer-bladed tool than a putty knife, used to spread jointing compound or stopper over plaster cracks and dents. The blade is kept clean and slightly flexible to leave a flat patch.

A rigid or semi-rigid pad over which abrasive paper is wrapped so that pressure is spread evenly during rubbing down. It helps keep edges flat and avoids finger grooves in the surface.

The number that describes the coarseness of sandpaper; a low number such as 60 is coarse and a high number such as 220 is fine. Grit is chosen in steps to flatten and then smooth a surface.

Brushes are classed by bristle material and shape, for example natural-bristle, synthetic-filament, cutting-in, sash and radiator brushes. The choice depends on the paint type and the area being coated.

The removable fabric cylinder fitted to a roller frame. Short-pile sleeves suit smooth walls and gloss, medium pile suits emulsion on plaster, and long pile suits rough exterior masonry.

The base material that receives the paint film, such as plaster, concrete, timber, metal, or an existing coating. Its condition and absorbency decide which preparation and primer are needed.

The amount of water held in a substrate such as new plaster or concrete. Coatings applied before it falls to an acceptable level can blister, flake or fail to bond.

A white powdery salt deposit that appears on masonry and plaster when moisture moves through the wall and evaporates. It must be brushed off and the damp source corrected before painting.

The ability of a primer or coating to withstand the alkaline chemicals present in new cement, concrete and plaster. Alkali-resisting primer prevents saponification and loss of adhesion of oil-based finishes.

Sanding a dried or existing coating to remove nibs, brush marks and gloss, and to give a key for the next coat. Dust is then removed before recoating.

The slight roughness created on a surface by sanding or by a suitable primer so that the next coat can grip mechanically. A glossy or dusty surface without a key causes peeling.

The first coat applied to a prepared substrate to seal it, improve adhesion and provide protection, for example metal primer or alkali-resisting primer. It is not a finish coat.

The coat applied over the primer to build film thickness, give opacity and create a uniform base for the gloss or topcoat. It is usually lightly rubbed down before finishing.

The final coat that provides the visible colour, sheen and main protective properties of the system. Its quality and application determine how the finished job looks and lasts.

A water-based paint in which resin particles are dispersed in water, used mainly on interior walls and ceilings. It dries quickly, has low odour and is cleaned with water while wet.

A solvent- or water-based coating that dries to a hard, reflective film, typically used on woodwork and metal. It is durable and washable but shows surface defects clearly.

A product applied to porous or uneven surfaces to reduce absorbency and even out suction before painting. It prevents patchy drying and excessive paint consumption.

A solvent added to a coating to adjust its viscosity for brushing, rolling or spraying. Over-thinning reduces film build, opacity and protection, so only the maker's ratio should be used.

A measure of a liquid's resistance to flow, or how thick it is. Paint viscosity affects levelling, brush drag and spray pattern and is adjusted with thinner or water as specified.

The usable working time of a mixed product, especially two-pack paints, before it thickens or cures beyond use. Mixing only what can be applied within the pot life avoids waste.

Painting a neat band along edges, corners and trim with a brush before the main area is rolled. It gives a clean line without masking and speeds up the overall job.

The final light, parallel brush or roller strokes made while a coat is still wet to spread it evenly and remove lap marks. It is done in one direction with a lightly loaded tool.

A visible line left where a wet edge has dried before the next section was joined, or where strokes overlap unevenly. Working to a wet edge and laying off prevent it.

The still-wet boundary of a freshly applied coat that the next section must be blended into before it dries. Keeping a wet edge avoids lap marks and patchy sheen.

Applying coating with compressed-air, airless or HVLP equipment that atomises the paint into a fine mist. It gives a fast, even finish but needs masking, extraction and careful technique.

Fine airborne paint particles that settle on surfaces beyond the intended area during spraying. It is controlled by masking, screens, correct gun distance and good ventilation.

An adhesive, usually starch- or cellulose-based, used to bond wall covering to a prepared wall. Its strength and consistency must match the weight of the covering.

Aligning the pattern repeat of adjacent drops of wall covering so the design lines up across the wall. Straight, offset and free matches need different allowances for waste.

The distance before a wallpaper design repeats itself vertically, used to calculate how much extra length each drop needs. Larger repeats mean more waste when estimating rolls.

A thin glue or primer coat applied to a porous wall before hanging wall covering, to control suction and help the paper slide into position. It also aids later stripping.

Calculating the amount of paint, wall covering or material needed from measured areas, allowing for coats, porosity and waste. Accurate estimates control cost and prevent running short.

A document listing measured items of work with descriptions and quantities, used for tendering and payment in construction. Painters read it to price areas and specify coating systems.

The area that a given volume of paint will cover at the specified film thickness, usually printed on the container in square metres per litre. It is used to convert area into litres.

The practical area covered per litre on a particular surface, which is lower than the theoretical rate because of suction and application losses. It gives a realistic material estimate.

A flat, scaled view of one face of a building or room showing heights, openings and finishes. Painters use it to read wall areas, colour schemes and decorative layouts.

A drawing in which real dimensions are reduced by a fixed ratio, such as 1:50, so measurements can be taken directly. The scale bar and stated ratio must always be checked.

A detailed, dimensioned drawing used on site to build and finish the work, showing materials, levels and construction. Trades rely on it for setting out and inspection.

A priced offer submitted by a contractor to carry out specified work within a stated time and conditions. Understanding tender documents helps a painting business price work correctly.

A legally binding agreement between parties setting out scope, price, programme, payment terms and obligations. Signing without reading the conditions can create serious financial risk.

The checks and standards used to confirm that preparation, materials and finish meet the specification, such as film thickness and surface appearance. It prevents rework and disputes.

A record of defects or incomplete items found at handover inspection that the contractor must correct before final acceptance. Painters use it to close out finishing faults.

The process of starting and running a painting business, including finding customers, pricing work, managing cash flow and bearing commercial risk. It combines trade skill with planning and record keeping.

A written offer stating the price, scope, materials and validity period for a proposed job. A clear quotation protects both the painter and the client from later disagreement.

The movement of money into and out of a business over time, including payments received and expenses paid. Positive cash flow keeps a small contracting business able to buy materials and pay wages.

The personal and workplace abilities that make a tradesperson easy to hire and keep, such as punctuality, teamwork, communication, safety awareness and willingness to learn. They are assessed alongside technical competence.