Plumbing Safety

A plumber installs, repairs, and maintains plumbing fixtures or systems in businesses, industries, or residences. The job may include the installation and repair of pipes, fittings, and fixtures servicing the water supply, waste disposal, and heating systems. Plumbers must also haul supplies, cut, and assemble plumbing materials, and use equipment and tools. Plumbing is a simple name for a job that has a wide variety of duties. 

The main duties of a plumber are to:

• Haul supplies, measure, cut, shape, assemble and join various materials (e.g. pipes, fittings, fixtures) with various tools, servicing the water supply, waste disposal, and heating systems.
• Use, clean and maintain various equipment.
• Read, prepare or interpret blueprints and drawings.
• Conform with building codes and other regulations.
• Prepare cost estimates and documentation for clients.
• Supervise apprentices or other workers.

Plumbers work in a variety of settings, some of which may contain hazards. The main occupational hazards for plumbers to be aware of include:

• Exposure to hazardous substances such as lead, sulfur dioxide, asbestos, silica, mold, adhesives, solvents, solder, dust, and other hazardous products.
• Avoid oxygen-deficient atmospheres and be aware that hydrogen sulfide, a byproduct of sewage decomposition, can build up to unhealthy levels.
• Proximity to flammable products.
• Exposure to biohazards including raw sewage when working on sewage pipes or septic tank outlets, when laying new pipe in soil, or flood clean-up.
• Potential infection from bird or rodent droppings:
  • histoplasmosis
  • psittacosis
  • hantavirus
• Working in awkward positions, or performing awkward manual tasks which increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
• Lifting heavy or awkward objects.
• Exposure to electricity, extreme temperatures, or noise.
• Working in confined spaces.
• Working at heights (e.g., on platforms/scaffolding or ladders).
• Risk of eye injury from flying particles.
• Slips, trips, and falls, especially when working in wet environments.
• Burns from hot equipment parts, steam lines, and the release of hot water or steam.
• Working with various tools (both hand tools and powered tools).
• Stress.
• Shift work or extended work days.
• Working alone.

• Follow company safety rules.
• Get training on the potential hazards at the job sites where you are assigned.
• Learn about chemical hazards and SDSs.
• Use safety data sheets (SDSs) to learn about the chemical properties, health hazards, and required personal protective equipment (PPE) that you will need.
• Know how to report a hazard.
• If you will be working with specific substances – such as lead, asbestos, or mold – follow the required work practices for the province in which you are working.
• Follow a recommended shift work pattern, and know the associated hazards.
• Make sure you have a sturdy shoe with a protective toe box and a non-slip sole. Keep your work areas clear of clutter and equipment to make it easier to move around and avoid a fall.
• Use heat-insulating gloves and eye/face shields and make sure to drain pipes before you open them up.
• Only use power tools that are safe for a wet environment and that have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Be cautious when working on metal pipes; if you feel tingling when touching a metal pipe, stop work immediately.
• Cut away from your face and body to avoid cuts and punctures. Use eye protection when cutting or grinding to avoid eye injuries from flying particles.
• Practice safety procedures for:
  • Confined space entry
    Learn how to identify confined spaces and follow confined space procedures if you must enter one. Use air monitors to assure your safety.
  • Working at heights
  • Working with hand tools, and power tools
  • De-energizing and locking out machinery and equipment before performing maintenance
  • Selection, use, and maintenance of personal protective equipment
  • Lifting
  • Shift work
  • Avoiding slips, trips, and falls
  • Heat exposure

Health effects of exposure to sewage and contaminated soil include:

• Tetanus – is caused by a toxin produced by bacteria common in soil and sewage.
• Leptospirosis – caused by a parasitic worm.
• Hepatitis A, B, or C.
• Bacteria such as E. coli, and parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium.

Human pathogens from soil and raw sewage can enter the body through the nose or mouth, particularly if a person drinks contaminated water or by touching contamination and then touching the mouth or nose. Exposure can also occur through open wounds or by inhaling (human pathogens in dust, for example).

• Avoid exposure to sewage by wearing gloves, coveralls, rubber boots, eye protection, washing your hands, and decontaminating your equipment after use.
• Do not eat or drink while working in a potentially contaminated area. Wash your hands before meals.
• After working with raw sewage or soil, wash immediately with soap and water. Do not use solvents to wash your hands as the solvents can cause irritation that may lead to skin infections. Learn more about handwashing and the risk of infections.
• Change out of work clothes before leaving the work site. If any sewage has gotten onto your clothes, change them right away. Soiled work clothes should be sealed in a plastic bag and laundered separately from other clothing. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the clothing.

• Use fall protection and other precautions when working at heights.
• Use eye protection when cutting or grinding to avoid eye injuries from flying particles.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment for the task (e.g. hard hats, eye protection, face protection).
• Wear appropriate footwear (sturdy shoes with a protective toe box and a non-slip sole)
• If working on hot pipes, use heat-insulating gloves and eye/face shields, and make sure to drain pipes before you open them.
• To avoid electric shock, only use power tools that are safe for a wet environment and that have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Be cautious when working on metal pipes – if you feel tingling when touching a metal pipe, stop work immediately.
• Install and maintain good ventilation.

• Avoid awkward body positions and repetitive manual tasks, or take frequent breaks. Try to rotate your tasks and take a quick break every 30 minutes.
• Learn safe lifting techniques.

• Keep tools and equipment, and their safety features, in good working order.
• Keep cutting equipment sharp so it will work properly. Cut away from your face and body to avoid cuts and punctures.
• Keep work areas clear of clutter and equipment. Place, stack, or store materials and equipment so they will not cause injury to yourself or other workers.
• Follow good housekeeping procedures – clean up spills quickly; empty waste containers often; discard oily rags and other flammable waste materials safely.