What safety equipment do I need for exterior painting on ladders and scaffolding in NB?

For ladder work, the minimum safety equipment is non-slip footwear, a tool belt or bucket hook to keep both hands free, and a spotter on the ground — for scaffolding or any work above 3 metres (10 feet), a fall arrest harness is strongly recommended and may be required under WorkSafeNB regulations for commercial projects. Exterior painting injuries from falls are among the most common causes of serious injury in residential construction, and New Brunswick's uneven ground, wind off the Bay of Fundy, and slippery morning dew all add to the risk.

For homeowners tackling exterior painting on a single-storey home, a good-quality fibreglass ladder rated for your weight plus tools (add at least 30 kg / 65 lbs for paint, tools, and yourself) is the starting point. Aluminum ladders conduct electricity — stay well away from power lines. Set the ladder at the correct 4:1 angle (one foot out for every four feet of height), and always secure the top against the building. Never lean to the side or reach further than arm's length — descend and reposition the ladder. This sounds obvious but ladder falls happen because people don't want to climb down and move. On NB soil, ladder feet sink into soft ground after rain, so use leg levellers or a plywood base on soft or uneven surfaces.

For two-storey exteriors, scaffolding is safer and more productive than ladders for anything beyond small repairs. Pump jack scaffolding, which is the most common setup for residential exterior painting in NB, requires proper base plates and guardrails on open sides and ends. Under WorkSafeNB regulations, any scaffolding above 3 metres used in a commercial or professional context must have guardrails and toe boards. As a homeowner doing your own work, you are not subject to the same mandatory compliance, but the physics of a fall from 6 metres are the same regardless.

Essential safety equipment checklist for exterior painting:

Eye and face protection matters more than most people realize — paint mist from sprayers, debris from scraping, and dried paint chips all create eye hazard. Safety glasses or goggles should be worn whenever you are scraping, sanding, or spraying. For lead paint work on pre-1978 NB homes, add a P100 half-mask respirator — this is non-negotiable.

Gloves protect against skin sensitization from extended paint contact, especially with oil-based products and stain-blocking primers that contain harsh solvents.

Sun protection is often overlooked but NB summer sun combined with physical outdoor labour means SPF 30+ sunscreen and a hat are practical safety equipment for long painting days.

For any exterior painting project involving ladders on a two-storey or higher NB home, strongly consider hiring a professional. The painting might be straightforward — the fall risk is not. Professional exterior painters carry WorkSafeNB coverage and liability insurance precisely because height work carries real risk. Browse local painting contractors through the New Brunswick Construction Network at newbrunswickconstructionnetwork.com/directory?trade=painting.

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