PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES

LOCAL #7  

Jamie Peppers, Business Representative 

1308 W. Sylvania Avenue

Toledo, OH  43612

Telephone:  (419)476-7505 ●Fax:  (419)476-7506

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A "PAINTER/DRYWALL FINISHER"

WHAT THEY DO

Painters prepare surfaces of building and other structures and then apply paint by means of brushes, rollers or sprayers.  They work with varnish, enamels, lacquer, and other materials.  They may also paint interior rooms or cover walls with paper, fabrics, vinyls, or other materials (paperhanger).  They must be able to mix paints as well as do sandblasting and waterblasting.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Painters work both indoors and out.  Outside work is done in relatively mild weather.  In some jobs, especially maintenance and redecoration of offices and building, the painter may be required to work evenings or weekends.  Work is seasonal, however, new materials and methods tend to give more steady employment through the year.  Physical and health hazards include the dangers of poisoning, falling from ladders and scaffolds, breathing paint fumes and dust.  The work involves standing, bending, climbing and working with arms over the head much of the time.

INTEREST AND TEMPERAMENT

Painters must have manual dexterity as well as steady nerves to work in high places.  They should not be allergic to or bothered by paint fumes, toxic materials and spray dust.  They should have a certain artistic sense in order to do a first-class job.  Good eyesight and sense of color is especially important to properly mix paint to specific colors.