I have read a few articles and am posting some information that I have learned. The first one reviews the 10 easy steps to save energy and money for your home. This article touched on replacing light bulbs, ensuring all plumbing fixtures are efficient and the way you use the appliances in your home. The second article is about the 15 tools that every home owner should own. The highlights of this list that were a surprise were things such as a respirator, wire cutters and duct tape. I know there are several people that feel as though duct tape can fix anything and this article seems to justify that theory.
The most important factors in maintaining my safety while performing a home inspection is:
Having the correct knowledge to avoid potential dangers (which this course has highlighted). Being able to deal correctly with an unforeseen danger is also just as important as preventing dangerous situations. Knowing when to make “the call” with whether you should proceed with an inspection, depending on your comfort level.
I read the following articles:
Having a Tyvek suit for home inspections is a very good idea as crawling in roof spaces and dusty rooms can be very hazardous to ones health.
http://www.nachi.org/safe-rooms.htm
The idea of having a safe room in ones residence can be beneficial, especially if you live in a high crime area. However I would personally check that the room has all the necessary supplies and that the room is maintained, as the last thing you want is to escape the burglars, only to get stuck in your safe room!!!
:mrgreen:
The most important factors in maintaining my safety during a home inspection:
I am based out of St. John’s, NL, we don’t have venomous snakes or scorpions or other such dangers here. The most important things to focus on in terms of safety are being strict about choosing safe travel limits when it comes to crawlspaces, attics and roofs, wearing proper PPE, understanding all of the equipment functions and safe practices such as using ladders properly and being prepared for problems with a quality first aid kit in the vehicle. Weather is also a major safety concern here as we get a lot of rain, snow and heavy winds, my biggest safety tool will be the Spectroscope extendable camera pole, this will increase my safety by orders of magnitude. In addition, the careful selection of both indoor and outdoor footware will not only make the customer happy but keep my feet protected and my grip ample.
This is my first posting. Safe practices course , I find it easy and simply to follow along. The sections are easy to read and understand . I enjoyed the videos tips and procedures on inspecting houses also the safety tips using ladders, safety equipment used on a roof inspection and what kind of insects,snakes, bees , types of crawspaces I my have to enter with the best knowledge to enter or not .
Being safe requires being aware of potential dangers from the usual (falls) to the unusual (chemical hazards), and the unexpected (raccoon!). This course discusses all of these so that inspectors can be aware of hazards and mitigation steps. Given the rise in foreclosures, the associated concerns should also be highlighted. Foreclosures may attract unexpected house guests — such as squatters — or former home owners refusing to leave. The homes also may be damaged and poorly lit or attract wildlife since it’s abandoned, leading to more potential safety hazards.
Many homes built before 1980 contain asbestos in old floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles and flashing, siding, insulation (around boilers, ducts, pipes, sheeting, fireplaces), pipe cement, and joint compound used on seams between pieces of sheetrock. Asbestos becomes a hazard when it is airborne.
Sellers may have undertaken minor repairs to prepare their house for market, unwittingly creating a hazard. So many TV shows make it look simple, and do not mention the dangers of asbestos and the need to follow all the precautions described in this article for sampling asbestos material.
Don’t forget about Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac! In almost all suburban and rural regions of the United States and Canada, inspectors run the risk of exposure.
Taking safe practices course.
The best way to keep safe is to stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and know your limitations.
Seems like a lot of common sense, and about being aware of your surroundings and conditions, can dictate whether you have a save work environment.
Important factors to maintain safety during home inspections:
Learn up-to-date courses on the dangers of building materials, appliances, and products that inspectors may come across while on the job.
Also, use past experience and common sense to better protect yourself and others. If you are inexperienced about something, do some research on it using the internet, library or a professional in that field.
Thanks everyone!
The best way to remain safe is to always be aware of your surroundings. Never place your hands in unknown locations. Spiders scorpions and snakes oh my! 
Every home owner should have a variety of tools from a simple hammer to an electrical tester. Both are easy to use.
It is easy to save energy in the home if you think about it and read the labels on things like light bulbs. They always list the energy use on the label. Simplest thing to do is if your not using it turn it off.
There is a practice I learned at a job. That is to take a minute to evaluate the area you will be working in every time you come into that area. Many times we become complacent or in a hurry and just don’t pay attention to what we are doing.
I am going in once again. Hopefully this time I am able to better concentrate!
What I learned and found important pertaining to safety was the information about first aid treatment section. It is a good idea to invest in first aid equipment and know what to do with it, than makeshifting something in the moment. Especially, when it comes to snakes and spiders. ( not my favorite creatures)
Very informative course! It certainly increased my knowledge of some potential safety issues and how to handle them that I had not previously considered.
this cource was very helpfull
Safety of the inspector and anyone on site is the most important thing and should not be sacrificed for speed. Proper safety equipment, PPE and safe practices will help make your inspection site as safe as possible
When an inspector finds a defect that may cause serious harm to another person, the inspector has an obligation to inform the seller, buyer, real estate agents, etc. to protect their well being. This could include chemical hazards, gas leaks, sewage leaks, electrical problems, etc.
It could also include the snake nest found in the crawlspace, the raccoon found in the attic, or any other hazard.