Dustsheets made of polythene sheeting or canvas are used to protect furniture and floors from dust and splashes of paint when decorating. Common items that need special protection include TVs, fireplaces, clocks, and light fittings. Floors can be protected with polythene sheeting and masking tape to prevent dust from contacting the floor surface.

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Protection

2. Dustsheets of the highest
quality
should be used wherever
possible as cheap alternatives
do
not always provide adequate
protection.
What are the two materials
dustsheets are usually made
of?
Dustsheets

3. • Protect everything that can be covered by dust or splashes
of paint.
• Drape the furniture and cover the floors.
Where would you usually use polythene sheeting?
Covering up

4. These include: TV, TV stand,
pelmets, curtains, carpets,
rugs,
fireplaces, clocks, mirrors,
sockets, wall lights.
What items can you think of
that
would need special
protection?
Common items to protect

5. Window coverings
Curtains, pelmets and roller
blinds should ideally be
removed to another room.
How could you protect the
windows themselves?

6. • Protect all light shades
and fittings.
• If plastic is used, make
sure it is removed at the
end of the working day as
it can cause a fire hazard
when lights are turned on.
• Protect again the next day.
What are the three types of
masking tape?
Light fittings

7. Remove vent covers, door
handles and radiators.
How can you protect these
items if you cannot remove
them?
What to remove

8. All furniture and radiators
should also be removed if
possible. Remember to use
correct manual handling
techniques at all times!
What is the correct way to lift
heavy items of furniture?
Take care!

9. Always make sure that any
vehicles near your area of
work are protected. Polythene
is the best method of
protection if vehicles cannot
be removed.
What would be the greatest
risks to vehicles near your
site?
Protecting vehicles

10. • Floors, including wood floors
and carpet, can be protected
with polythene sheeting and
masking tape, which keeps
the polythene in place.
• You can lay down polythene
before laying dustsheets,
to prevent any dust coming
into contact with the floor.
• Protect floors when painting/decorating or washing
down in preparation to paint.
Protecting floors

11. • Tenting in is used when an
item or an area needs to be
cordoned off.
• It is useful when spray
painting is being carried
out.
• To ‘tent in’ you need to use
scaffolding and polythene
sheeting.
• The scaffold is erected
around the item/area then
polythene sheeting is fixed
around the scaffold, using
duct tape.
Tenting in