Plumbing jobs often involve hazards, even for professional plumbers and businesses. From shutting off water supplies to prevent flooding or physical injuries to assessing a job site for safety risks, several steps need to be taken to ensure plumbers stay safe.
Common risks include working in confined spaces, exposure to raw sewage, and oxygen deficiency from contaminated air. The following are some essential safety tips for Cleveland Plumbers to follow.
Wear The Right Gear
Having the right gear on hand for plumbing projects protects plumbers from potential hazards. This includes clothing, boots, hats, work gloves, safety glasses, and respirators or face masks. It also includes any tools and equipment needed for specific projects. Plumbing professionals need to understand the use and care of these pieces of gear so they can keep them in good condition, especially since they tend to be handled frequently.
Eye protection is essential for plumbers because of the risk of injury from flying debris, caustic chemical splashes, or sewage. Safety glasses that are fog-resistant and easy to put on and take off reduce this risk. Work gloves and latex gloves also help prevent cuts, abrasions, or other injuries. Heavier-duty gloves are necessary for projects that involve chopping, sawing, or drilling. A respirator or face mask can protect the lungs from dust particles and bacteria.
Some plumbing work takes place in confined spaces that may be hard to reach. Training plumbers on identifying these areas and following confined space procedures can make working safely easier. Air monitors are another useful tool to have on hand, as they can alert plumbers when oxygen levels become unhealthy or when hydrogen sulfide is building up.
Lastly, plumbers need to know whether or not a home has asbestos or lead in its structure. These materials can cause respiratory issues when handled, so plumbers need to ask the property owners if these chemicals are present before beginning work. This will help prevent long-term exposure that can be dangerous and even fatal. Additionally, a hard hat can protect the head from falling objects and a first-aid kit is a must for any job site.
Know Where To Turn Off The Water
While fixing leaking pipes and replacing toilets might seem like a straightforward job, it’s far from risk-free. Mishaps can easily go wrong if plumbers don’t follow the proper safety guidelines, and some of these risks can be devastating.
Whether working on a new installation or carrying out maintenance, it’s important to shut off the water supply before beginning any work. This will help to prevent accidental flooding and minimize the damage caused by any leaks. It also helps to protect against a potentially dangerous situation known as a water hammer, which can occur when the water valve is opened.
A sudden increase in pressure can cause water to back up and explode from the faucets and showerheads, damaging the pipes and fixtures and causing costly damage. Turning off the water supply can avoid these problems, and it’s a good idea for homeowners to learn where their water supply valve is located so they can do this on their own in case of an emergency.
Some homes may have several shut-off valves, so plumbers need to know where each one is before starting a job. It’s also helpful to mark the location of these valves so that they can be found easily when it comes time to shut off the water again.
The water supply valve can usually be found inside the house near where the water pipe enters from the city. It can also be found in utility areas, such as the garage or basement, and in some cases, it might be located outdoors on an exterior wall. It is usually best to check the entire house, including outdoor areas, rather than just one room or space.
Be Prepared For Other Building Hazards
Depending on the job site, plumbers may be exposed to a variety of other hazards. These can include working with electrical wiring or appliances, chemicals, and other toxins, hazardous materials, asbestos, and lead. Additionally, plumbing problems can also result in water damage that can lead to mold and other harmful contaminants in the home or business.
Accidents can happen, so every plumber needs to prepare accordingly. This includes training on how to deal with various types of situations. Some of these include knowing what to do if someone is injured or unconscious and being familiar with the proper safety procedures when handling different chemicals or equipment.
Plumbers often work with power tools that generate sharp noises, which can cause hearing loss if not properly protected. For this reason, any technicians must wear earplugs or ear muffs while working. For those who work in older buildings with a history of lead contamination, using a respirator is necessary to protect against inhaling the poisonous substance.
It’s also essential that every technician has access to a supply of alcohol-based hand rub and a list of CDC-approved disinfectants. This will ensure they are ready to handle anything they might encounter while cleaning pipes or surfaces that could be contaminated with dangerous bacteria, fungus, viruses, and other harmful substances.
Keeping up with these plumbing safety measures will help you deliver high-quality services to your clients while protecting yourself, your team, and your workplace. If you are looking for a better way to manage your residential plumbing projects, consider investing in a complete contractor and supplier management software solution with built-in workflows, streamlined processes, and powerful reporting.
Keep Your Eyes And Ears Protected
When working on plumbing projects, plumbers are exposed to many different contaminants that can make their eyes and ears irritated. This includes chemicals, such as drain gunk and sewage. It also includes dust and harmful air particles that can damage the lungs of a plumber, especially when using power tools like drills or saws.
Plumbers should wear protective eye gear to avoid any injury from a flying object that may come from the pipe or from any debris that can fall off of the roof. They should also wear ear protection when they need to use a tool that is noisy or work in a confined space.
Since plumbers are usually working in wet environments, they should wear appropriate footwear to prevent slips and falls. They should also put on gloves to prevent contaminating their hands with germs and fungi. Lastly, they should wear safety goggles to keep caustic drain cleaners or pressurized water leaks from injuring their eyes.
Some of the most common injuries that a plumber can experience are burns and cuts from sharp equipment, hot pipes, and chemicals. They are also at risk of falling or getting crushed by heavy machinery and objects. Keeping a first aid kit in the truck can help reduce the severity of these injuries and minimize the risk of infection. Finally, plumbers should always check the local building codes and regulations to make sure that their work complies with these standards. This helps them to deliver a quality service and avoid costly mistakes. Additionally, they should consider purchasing insurance to cover any damages that they might cause during their work. This can also save them from losing clients when an incident happens.
Wear A Mask
Plumbers should always wear a mask when working on plumbing, whether it’s for simple repairs or a major overhaul. This will prevent them from inhaling harmful fumes or dust that can cause lung issues, as well as other health problems. Other essential safety equipment for plumbers includes protective eyewear to protect against debris and splashes, and a hard hat to prevent head injuries from falling objects or other hazards. Finally, knee and back protection is important for anyone who works on pipes, as this work can put a lot of strain on these delicate body parts.
It’s also important for plumbers to know how to identify potential hazards on a job site. This is especially true when working on older buildings with unknown histories, where there may be dangerous materials like asbestos or lead. Plumbers should ask property owners if these materials are present and take the proper precautions if they discover them.
While many people view plumbing as a safe profession, it’s still a risky job that exposes workers to a wide variety of on-site dangers. From slips and falls in wet environments to flammable or contaminated gases, there are plenty of ways that plumbers can be injured while performing their jobs. Proper training and the right gear can help to minimize these risks so that plumbers can keep their focus on delivering quality plumbing service.