PP-EASY DOES IT

When it comes to fitting any laminate or compact laminate worksurface, wearing the correct PPE Kit mustn’t be overlooked, says Paul Graham, installation expert at Bushboard. Here, Paul outlines the basic requirements for personal protection when installing kitchen countertops.

The house building and home improvements boom over the last two years or so has certainly brought with it a healthy pipeline of work for kitchen installers, but with that can often come a degree of pressure to accelerate work and prevent lead times from slipping. As ever though, cutting corners when it comes to the safe and proper preparation and handling of a laminate or compact laminate worksurface will always prove to be a false economy.

Granted, the subject of PPE may not be the most exciting, or the reason installers chose to go into their line of work, but with the majority of KBB installers self-employed, we feel it’s our duty to ensure they are always in the best possible position to maximise their earnings. The harsh reality is that one freak accident in the absence of the correct PPE may cause the kind of injury or illness capable of putting an installer’s career at risk. So, what exactly does a manufacturer deem to be best practice from a health and safety perspective?

What equipment do I need for a compact laminate kitchen countertop installation? Regardless of the laminate type, arguably the most important piece of PPE is a pair of anti-scratch, anti-fog safety glasses, which will nullify the risk of eye damage caused by dust or debris. When a circular saw is used for cut-outs or to reduce a panel of compact laminate to size, the blade could be spinning at around 5,000rpm, which is enough to cause any loose debris to travel with some force.

Ear defenders are another essential piece of PPE for a fitter’s toolkit. The sheer density of compact laminate in particular can make a big difference to the noise created when cutting the product – especially if the installer doesn’t have access to a premium grade saw and blade. For best results, both in terms of product finish and noise levels, we recommend a circular saw with a new 48-tooth blade, but that certainly doesn’t reduce the need for ear protection.

Most of the circular saws used by installers will offer built-in dust extraction, but that’s not to say extra measures shouldn’t be taken. Around 85% of airborne particulates can be removed by a dust extractor, which means an EN149 standard face mask offers allimportant protection against the remaining 15% or so.

The unique characteristics of compact laminate such as Bushboard’s Zenith collection of kitchen worktops, mean they are generally thin but very heavy. This creates the requirement for protective gloves with a sturdy grip when carrying the product, which will help to protect the finish of the laminate as well aid the installer’s handling. Similarly, as with any working environment, safety shoes with steel toecaps are a must, not least because of how heavy the typical sheet of compact laminate can be. →

What else should I consider to be best practice?

No matter how fit and healthy you might feel, a sheet of compact laminate should always be considered a two-person lift. Not only is it naturally heavy, but it also always needs to be stored flat, so making sure the product can be manoeuvred into position carefully is hugely important to maintaining its structural integrity. Failure to store the product flat runs the risk of the product warping, which may then make the installation much more challenging than it needs to be.

With the rise in remote working among homeowners, the impact of your choice of equipment on noise levels should be as important a consideration as ever. The same goes for making sure the area you are working in is well-ventilated, which will reduce the disruption caused by any airborne dust particles created when the product is cut.

To sign up to the Zenith course on the BiKBBI Academy, visit: www.bikbbicampus.org.uk. To join the Bushboard Installer Network for VIP access to upcoming training opportunities, or to find out more about Zenith and the complete range of worktops available, visit:

www.bushboard.co.uk