Safety: Handling Material By Hand

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Safety

Handling material by hand

The insulated panels, while not particularly heavy, can be awkward to handle and carry, and the wind can catch them. Use good lifting techniques and body position when you lift or move the panels. Installation often requires working at unusual angles while accessing duct systems.

Eye protection

Making minor modifications to the panel system or routing out for the insulation can create airborne dust and particulates. Wear safety glasses with side shields (Z87-1). In windy conditions, you might need to wear mono-goggles for additional protection. Beware of sunlight reflecting off the aluminum surfaces—wearing tinted safety glasses is a good idea.

Hand safety

The aluminum foil edges of the panels are sharp (yes, that foil can cut you), and sharp corners and edges are common on ductwork. At a minimum, wear sturdy leather gloves while handling the material. Even better, wear cut-resistant gloves, such as Kevlar® or equivalent.

Tool safety

Be sure knife blades are sharp, electrical cords are undamaged, and tools are in overall good condition. Don’t use damaged tools. Use the right tool for the job.

Electrical safety

Wherever necessary, participate in the Lock, Tag, Test, and Try process for energized equipment. Verify lockout locations and make sure your personal control lock is installed at the correct spots. Most installations are performed outdoors in possibly wet conditions. When working in these areas with electrical tools, use ground fault circuit interrupters.

Environmental conditions

Plan for the unexpected. Be paranoid! Thoroughly inspect your job area to find hazards. Look for pinch points, trip hazards, energized sources, and other suspicious conditions. Find them ahead of time and eliminate them before you start your work.

Flat Stock

Store the sheet metal flat, preferably on a shelf near the work surface so you can slide the sheet onto the work surface without kinking the sheet.

You can store the insulation sheets either flat or on edge. In both cases, take care not to dent the edges and corners.

Develop a system for storing and keeping track of the supplies and equipment. Keep enough on hand so you don’t run out.

Storage

The raw materials and finished Techna-Duc® should be stored inside, away from condensing moisture, while awaiting fabrication and field installation.

Keep the aluminum sheets dry. Moisture trapped between the sheets creates ugly black stains that cannot be removed. The stains do not weaken the product, but they are undesirable. If possible, arrange your shop so you can slide sheets one at a time directly onto the work surface.

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