Even with all the best safety procedures and precautions installed and made known to every plumber on site, there are still hazards every plumber needs to be on the lookout for as well as potential accidents that could happen.
An important step in avoiding these accidents is being aware of them beforehand and knowing what to do to avoid them. Here are the 12 most common hazards every plumber is likely to face on the job.
Working at elevated heights
Every plumber working meters above the ground always faces the risk of falling. While scaffoldings are good support mechanisms which could suspend plumbers in the air, accidents still happen.
Plumbers also face the risk of an object falling on them causing severe injuries while on duty. A plumber should never use a ladder for long-term work. Scaffoldings or cherry pickers are better options for long-term height-related jobs.
Confined spaces
Boilers, storage tanks, sewers, ducts and so on are not intended for safe oxygen levels. Any plumber exposed to these conditions for long may develop serious medical conditions all stemming from working in such conditions.
The only way to avoid this is to reduce exposure to tight-spaced workspaces.
Asbestos
Asbestos has the infamous reputation of being the no. 1 cause of respiratory death in most industrial workers. Plumbers are very likely to work in areas where asbestos has been used in the buildings.
To avoid the risk of inhalation of asbestos, any plumber taking on a new job should ask the property owner whether or not the buildings have used asbestos in the past.
Though it is highly unlikely to find any asbestos in modern buildings.
Exposure to extreme temperatures
There are some situations where plumbers are faced with extreme temperatures like frozen pipes in the winter, extremely hot pipes etcetera.
Safety protocols should be taken very seriously as a failure to do that could result in ghastly accidents.
Contact with mould
Mould is a common household problem. Every residential plumber might not be aware of its danger or possibility of finding it until they begin working on-site.
A plumber should know mould can be found in panelling, bathrooms, and under sinks so they had better be prepared.
Inhaling mould spores could inflame the airways and cause wheezing, coughing and nasal irritations.
Tool injuries
A plumber getting injured by the tools they’ve been trained to use might seem unlikely to happen but it does. Using faulty tools without proper inspections before use increases the risk of having tool-related injuries.
Long-term wear and tear
Plumbing work is physically demanding. Most plumbers find themselves in many awkward positions lifting heavy objects every now and then. This is fine if it's a one-time thing.
However, continual lifting of these heavy materials is sure to cause breakdowns in muscles, joints, ligaments, and vertebrae.
Plumbers need to pay attention to how many heavy objects they lift in a day and shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help when need be.
Slippery floors
Since plumbers tend to work with water a lot, they face the risk of slipping and falling. Falling on wet marble could lead to serious injury making a dislocation look like child’s play.
As a precaution, plumbers are taught how to fall safely so they minimize the chances of getting serious injuries. A bruise is far better than a broken bone.
Exposure to toxic materials
This is the most dangerous hazard every plumber must be aware of. Human or animal waste is just as dangerous as mercury if exposed for too long.
The plumber faces the risk of inhaling micro-organisms, toxic gases which could all lead to serious mental and physical health issues.
This is why safety protocols must be observed to the letter if there is any chance of getting in contact with the said materials.
Encounter with gas and electric lines
Gas and electric lines sometimes are installed interchangeably with pipes and fixtures. A plumber fixing a fault in this kind of network should take extreme care to avoid explosions. It’s no secret electricity and water do not go well with one another.
Repeated hand tool movements
Every tool belt is stocked with essential items needed to make simple adjustments on the go. Maintaining a proper posture during the use of these tools could be the difference between muscle damage and keeping your wrist.
Plumbers who don’t keep proper postures during jobs are exposed to long-term musculoskeletal damage such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel as stated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Eye risk
Even a plumber’s eyes face the risk of injury. Working with different tools and substances could send in debris, sparks or even high-pressure shooting water flying into the plumber’s eyes causing conjunctivitis or blindness. This is why safety goggles are a must-have for every plumbing job.
While professional plumbers might make plumbing look easy and seamless, it really isn’t and a lot could go wrong without proper care. So when next you wonder why the cost of a professional plumbing job might seem expensive, remember that the job isn’t as easy as it seems and that it takes a lot of skill to make it look that easy.
Plumbing problems are inevitable in both domestic and commercial buildings. To avoid big expenses, call your expert plumbers in Blackheath to fix any major and minor plumbing issues.
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