The basic gear you need for a safe DIY paint job are: gloves, safety glasses or goggles, a dust-mask for sanding, and sensible shoes with a good grip.

Skin protection:

• Wear the appropriate gloves: cloth or leather gloves for sanding and scraping, impermeable gloves for applying water-based paint, solvent-resistant chemical gloves for handling solvent-based products.

Eye protection:

• Use eye goggles or glasses, or a face mask.

Lung Protection:

• Wear an anti-dust mask whilst sanding a surface or a solvent-respirator if working with solvent-based products.

• Ensure good ventilation with open windows and doors.

• Remove sources of ignition.