Safety Wear: What you'll need for laying your timber decking safely

It's all very well planning and building your own decking to improve the garden and have somewhere nice to enjoy the sun, but DIY comes with it's own risks, so it's a good idea to have the right safety work wear to help avoid injuries to yourself and anyone helping you during the build.

Thankfully it doesn't cost a lot, so a little of the money you save by the doing the work yourself can go towards a few bits and pieces which will help the build and keep your safe.

Of course all these items can be re-used again and again during the other jobs you've got planned around the home and garden, so they're a worth while buy and good value, especially if they'll help avoid accidents and injuries.

Rated People: Find a Recommended Tradesman

Looking for a little extra help to do some of the larger projects, give Rated People a try and see which tradesmen in your area have been recommended by people like yourself.

Use the tool on the right to find some help.

Rigger Gloves will protect your hands during the build. Should be considered essential safety wear Read more...

Gardening Gloves

Protect your hands from splinters and spelks while handling the wood decking strips with a good pair of hard wearing safety gloves.

Rigger / Docker heavy duty gloves will also come in handy when preparing the site, clearing the rubbish and laying any foundations and bearers.

Gloves come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, there's tear resistant, cotton lined and even enhanced grip.

Choose a pair to suit your budget and the jobs you'll be using them for, you normally get what you pay for so go for a decent brand and they'll be likely to last longer and be better value.

Don't forget to buy an extra pair for anyone who might be giving you some help too.

Safety footwear with steel capped toes start from as little as £20. Read more...

Suitable Footwear: Steel Toe Capped Footwear

Anyone who's stood on a rusts nail, dropped a flag stone on their toe, or ran over their foot with a lawn mover will know the importance of suitable footwear when doing any kind of DIY or gardening work.

I have a set of steel toe-capped boots which saved my own toes, a petrol lawn mower jumped into the air when I pulled the starter cord, and landed on my boot. The metal blade sliced through the leather upper, thankfully the steel plate prevented any injury to my foot.

Always wear appropriate footwear, something leather, with good thick soles and preferably steel capped to protect your own toes. Sandals and flip flops are not suitable for gardening and DIY no matter how nice the weather is.

Safety footwear starts from as little as £20, how much are your toes worth?

Don't skimp on eye protection, goggles are cheap and easy to use. Read more...

Goggles will Protect your Eyes

Safely glasses are cheap, easy to wear and can help protect your eyes and sight from flying objects and liquid splashes. With sight being so important it's surprising that these are often overlooked as a must have item.

Safety goggles will come in handy for when your cutting your timber decking, especially if using an electric saw and it's windy outside. Getting a eyeful of sawdust is not pleasant, it scratches your eyes and at the very least stops you from getting on with job while you rinse your eyes with water.

Please protect your sight, goggles are cheap and easy to use. Your sight is very important, look after your eyes.

More Safety

These three items can really help to prevent injury and should be considered invaluable for your own protection.

Accidents will always happen, so work safely, use a bit common sense, keep your work area clean, tidy and keep the kids and pets out of the way.

Stay safe during during your decking build.