Tools, Equipment, Ladders, Scaffolding and Material Handling
This domain checks whether you can select the right tool for a surface, set up ladders and scaffolds safely, and store and move materials without damage or injury.
Tools by task
- Brushes: flat 75-100 mm for walls and distemper; oval sash or round for pipes and mouldings; angular cutting-in brush for edges; stencil brush for stiff dabbing.
- Rollers: short nap 4-6 mm for gloss, medium 10-12 mm for emulsion, long 18-25 mm for rough masonry.
- Spraying: conventional suction or gravity gun, HVLP, airless; tip size and pressure govern flow.
- Surface tools: putty knife 75-100 mm, scraper, wire brush; abrasive 60-80 for stripping, 120-150 for putty, 180-220 between coats, 320 for gloss sheen; tack cloth for dust.
- Mixing: paddle mixer, measuring can, sieve or strainer.
Ladders
Set at 4 up to 1 out (about 75 degrees); top extends 1 m above the landing; tie or foot it; keep three points of contact; never work from the top three rungs; face the ladder; use a non-conductive type near cables; inspect stiles and feet before use.
Scaffolding and handling
Independent or putlog scaffold; sole plates on firm ground; guardrail about 1 m, mid-rail about 500 mm, toe board 150 mm; platform boards full width, no gaps; never stand on guardrails or boxes. Store paint sealed and off the floor, FIFO, below 30 degrees C; lift with the knees, use a trolley, split heavy loads.
Worked example
An eave is 4.0 m high and you must reach 1.0 m above it, so the working length needed is 5.0 m. Base distance = 5.0 / 4 = 1.25 m from the wall. A 5 m ladder with its foot 1.25 m out and top 1 m above the eave complies; a 4 m ladder cannot give both the reach and the 1 m extension, so it is rejected.
Traps
Standing on the top rung or on a bucket; using a step ladder side-on as a scaffold; overloading plank mid-span; storing tins beside a heater.