The Hidden Dangers of Drywall Installation

Drywall installation is familiar and simple work for contractors, as it’s an incredibly common material for building residential and commercial properties. But because the process is straightforward, it’s easy to forget about the hazards associated with the profession. No one crew wants to deal with occupational hazards if they don’t have to. Read up on the hidden dangers of drywall installation to stay protected.

Physical Dangers

Drywall sheets are a lot heavier than they look, ranging between 55 and 120 pounds. This may not sound like an exorbitant amount of weight, but repetitive lifting, bending, and twisting to install drywall can be damaging to the body.

Those constant motions will strain your back, legs, hips, shoulders, and neck. Avoid dealing with troubled joints by asking the suppliers to place the drywall as close to the worksite as possible. Additionally, don’t lift the sheets by yourself. Ask another crew member to lend a hand.

Electrical Dangers

When it’s time to connect the sheets to the wall, you need to familiarize yourself with the internal structure. Before driving screws into the wall, you must find out where the electrical wiring is. Otherwise, one bad push could lead to an electrical shock or even a fire.

Locate the wiring and then mark the location on the wall. Then, decide where you want to drill the screws, ensuring they won’t interfere with the wiring. Furthermore, make sure the wiring is up to code before moving forward with the drywall installation process.

Breathing Dangers

You can’t install drywall without creating some dust. Between the constant sanding and cutting, there will be a lot of dust on the jobsite. Over time, however, breathing in too much of this dust can lead to coughing, phlegm production, and asthma. It’s also a constant irritation to the nose and throat.

This is why industrial masks are part of the drywall safety gear you should wear, as they keep you from inhaling dangerous levels of dust. Goggles are also important for drywall installation. Not having visibility on a worksite is extremely dangerous, especially when dealing with hazardous tools and machinery.

Water Dangers

Like electrical wiring, you need to know where the plumbing is too. It’s not too common to drive through plumbing on the job, but there is the possibility. Plus, sealing off damaged pipes will lead to issues further down the line. Water damage can weaken a home’s structural integrity. Once the wood absorbs the water, it can rot and possibly collapse. Or mold can develop, seep through the walls, and spread throughout the house.

Therefore, mark the pipeline and plumbing system before installing drywall. Refrain from driving the screws and nails too far. Ensure they’re sturdy, but don’t damage the wall or strip the nails.

Before every job, keep these hidden dangers of drywall installation in mind. Working with caution will keep everyone on-site and in the vicinity safe, and it will ensure efficient and excellent work.

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