Flooring Installers
Carpet, vinyl, laminate and hardwood installers work on their knees, use sharp knives and power saws, and handle adhesives, often while removing old flooring that may contain asbestos.
- Construction
Top hazards
- Knee injuries (bursitis) from kneeling and knee kickers
- Knife cuts
- Solvent-based adhesive vapors and fire
- Asbestos in old vinyl tiles, sheet flooring and black mastic
- Wood dust from sanding; sanding dust and finish rags can catch fire
- Lifting rolls, boxes and heavy equipment
Key practices
- Use quality knee pads; use power stretchers instead of knee kickers when possible.
- Use self-retracting or hook-blade knives and cut-resistant gloves. See Utility Knives.
- Ventilate when using adhesives; no ignition sources with solvent adhesives.
- Test old flooring for asbestos before removing it. See Asbestos.
- Use dust collection on sanders and dispose of finish rags safely. See Sanders.
Old flooring and asbestos
Vinyl floor tiles (especially 9-inch squares), sheet vinyl backing and black cutback adhesive installed before the 1980s often contain asbestos. Sanding, grinding, scraping dry or breaking them up can release fibers. Have suspect material tested before removal. If it contains asbestos, removal may require licensed abatement or specific work practices depending on your state. See Asbestos Rules by State.
Floor prep and silica
Grinding concrete, cutting tile and backer board, and mixing self-leveler create silica and cement dust. Use grinders with vacuum dust collection, mix outside or with ventilation, and wear a respirator when required. See Silica.
Knee kickers
Carpet installers who use knee kickers strike the knee hundreds of times a day, a leading cause of bursitis in the trade. Use a power stretcher for all but small areas, wear good knee pads, and rest between rooms. See Knee Protection.
Fire risks
- Solvent-based adhesives and finishes give off flammable vapors. Shut off pilot lights and ignition sources, and ventilate.
- Rags with oil-based finishes can heat up and catch fire on their own. Lay them flat outside to dry or put them in a sealed metal can with water.
- Sanding dust in drum sander bags can ignite. Empty the bag often, and never leave it full overnight.
Job start checklist
- Old flooring checked or tested for asbestos
- Ventilation set up for adhesives and finishes
- Ignition sources off for solvent products
- Knee pads, knives and cut gloves ready
- Dust collection on sanders and grinders
- Metal can for finish rags
Standards & references
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