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If you’re new to the world of plumbing, you may have assumed that fixing leaking pipes, replacing boilers and sorting toilets is a fairly risk-free job to do.
But then again, you’re reading this article, which would suggest you are at least partially aware that there is at least some degree of danger involved.
Whether or not you think following a risk assessment is a necessary evil or a waste of time, knowing the rules and regulations and making sure you follow the requisite safety standards, is something all plumbers need to do.
So here are some of the hazards you need to account for as a plumber and a breakdown of the laws and regulations around safety that you need to follow in the UK and US.
Following these guidelines will ensure your plumbing and heating business is health and safety compliant.
In the UK, health and safety standards are provided and policed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In the US this role is performed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA.
Both organisations have similar rules around health and safety and perform inspections to ensure these standards are met.
If you run a plumbing business in the UK, you can expect to receive routine inspection and compliance checks. The HSE official isn’t required to give you prior warning, so you need to be prepared at any time. The same applies with OSHA inspections.
If violations of OSHA or HSE standards are found during an inspection, both agencies can issue citations and fines. In cases of serious breaches, legal action can be pursued.
However, if you’re concerned about getting overrun with inspections, remember that these checks will only occur occasionally and are more likely in industries or businesses with a history of poor safety standards.
If you run your business to a high standard, the likelihood of frequent visits is much lower.
As a plumbing business, several requirements need to be met to ensure that you are compliant with HSE or OSHA.
If you make sure your business meets these four requirements then you can remain confident that your business is operating safely and legally.
Here is a list of the key OSHA regulations and guidelines that plumbers in the US are expected to follow:
Here is a list of the key HSE regulations and guidelines that plumbers in the UK are expected to follow:
The PPE required for plumbing will vary slightly depending on the type of work being carried out. To make things clear here is a list of the equipment you may require while working as a plumber.
You may ask the question, “Do plumbers wear hard hats” and are they a requirement at all times?
The answer is that the use of a hard hat is dependent on the type of plumbing work a person is doing. If a plumber is working on a commercial job where there is a risk of objects falling on their head then a hard hat should be worn.
Some of the environments where a hard hat might be required are:
On some jobs, a hard hat might be a requirement but if a person is working for their own business a suitable risk assessment should be enough to qualify whether a hard hat is needed.
In most instances, when working on domestic projects, protective headgear isn’t needed.
Masks such as FFP2 or FFP3 respirators are effective against dust and fibres and are particularly important when dealing with asbestos or other harmful particles.
If working with harmful chemicals, contaminated liquids or excessive dust, goggles or safety glasses may be needed.
If any welding is performed then a welding mask is a necessity.
When using machinery that produces loud noises it is important to use suitable ear protection. Although damage to the eardrums can be easy to overlook, repeated exposure to loud noises can lead to hearing issues such as tinnitus.
A plumber may require different types of gloves for a variety of different tasks. If working with dangerous liquids then wearing gloves that are water and corrosion-resistant will be needed.
If there is a risk of electric shock or high temperatures, then insulated gloves will be necessary.
Thick tough gloves might also be required if working with sharp objects.
The correct footwear is essential when working on plumbing jobs. Good boots should have decent grip to reduce slipping, suitable insulation in the sole to prevent shocks and a tough exterior to prevent impact injuries to a person's feet.
A plumber's clothing should be strong and a good fit. This will help prevent the wearer from getting caught on sharp or loose objects. In some instances, suitable waterproofing may be needed to reduce infection risks.
Padded knees in the trousers may also be necessary if the plumber is spending a lot of time on the floor or kneeling.
Understanding the safety guidelines for your plumbing business requires you to understand where the potential dangers are and how you can combat them by putting the right processes in place.
Working in the plumbing and heating industry you may at times need to deal with hazardous materials, in particular, there is the potential for lead and asbestos exposure.
A study by The Water Professor found that in a test of over 350 pipe water samples, 11.5% were over the EU 5 ppb standard for lead.
This means lead safety in plumbing is something you need to consider. If you’re regularly working on old properties (built before 1970), and you are frequently exposed to lead pipes, then you will need to wear suitable protective gear to prevent poisoning.
To prevent this, use an FFP standard mask to ensure you avoid inhaling any lead dust.
It’s also worth noting that lead solder is still permitted for use in closed central heating systems and in some instances, this solder has been known to be used on drinking pipes.
Dealing with these solders is a risk to those working on them, but it also shows the importance of good health and safety practices for protecting your customers and the general public too.
The other hazardous material to account for is the effects of asbestos exposure. For plumbers, you may be required to work with this poisonous mineral which can be found in cement, pipes, insulation and other materials.
As with precautions for lead, an FFP mask should be used when working with asbestos and a suitable assessment performed before undertaking work that might involve this material.
Falling over may sound like a relatively minor concern but when working with heavy materials or when working at height, the chances of serious injury become much higher.
No doubt you’ve seen photos and videos on social media of plumbers precariously balancing on unsteady ladders or resting up against an unstable mezzanine.
While this footage makes great content for You’ve Been Framed and On the Tools, you don’t want to be that person who ends up in hospital with a broken neck.
When using a ladder there are some best practices that should be followed:
Additionally to ladder safety, you should also make sure you’ve got footwear with good grip. This is particularly important for plumbers who operate in wet and slippy conditions.
Be kind to your back! Seriously, back injuries are not to be laughed at. For anyone who’s hurt their back before, you will understand how debilitating it can be.
It’s important to realise that back injuries are common. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39% of work-related injuries are in the lower back.
With this in mind, it’s important to take steps to prevent these injuries. To help with this, think about how you’re lifting heavy equipment - always lift through your legs rather than using your back, or even better use tools and levers to help you.
You should also consider using braces or other ergonomic tools that might take the strain off your back. Also, don’t forget to give yourself regular breaks.
These best practices apply to all types of injury prevention. Take the time to complete tasks properly and use proper technique to mitigate against injury.
Working in a confined space inevitably carries a degree of risk, however taking appropriate precautions can reduce the chances of harm.
Some of the main dangers to consider are the chances of head injury, back injury and lack of an emergency exit.
If you're working in a constricted space, make sure you’ve considered how you can get out and where a quick exit isn’t possible, consider having someone along with you to help in an emergency situation.
You should also be aware that many of the health hazards such as breathing issues and gas leaks are heightened when operating in a tight space.
Chances are, electrocution is not something a plumber will have to contend with on every job, however, there will be instances when you do need to take this into account.
For example, when working on water heaters, dealing with leaks around electrical equipment or wiring, or using power tools in or near water, then electrical safety is very important.
To reduce the chances of electrical injury ensure you have taken the necessary precautions. This might involve turning off power or isolating power to a specific region. You can use tools to test electrical currents and use insulated clothing to avoid shocks.
This is a classic example of why a risk assessment is necessary. If there are exposed, live wires on a site you are working at, you need to spot this and put in place suitable steps to prevent harm.
If you’re a professional plumber then you will have received training that teaches you how to use the right tools for a job. That being said, in instances when you are working with heavy machinery and power tools, then you should treat these tools with caution.
Taking steps such as unplugging a tool when not in use and making sure it’s not left lying around or in a precarious position are all good steps to take.
You should also bear in mind that at times you will come across new tools. When using these for the first time take the time to learn how to use them in a safe environment and perform the requisite training when it is needed.
You should also consider those around you when working in a team. It may be that not everyone in your team is as familiar with your plumbing tools as you are. Make sure they are comfortable using any tools before asking them to do so and provide training where it’s needed.
As a plumber, you will at times have to deal with raw sewage. While this isn’t particularly pleasant, it’s something that can be dealt with safely if the necessary precautions are taken.
One of the main ways to avoid infection is to use appropriate PPE. This means using waterproof and puncture-resistant gloves, wearing waterproof and disposable coveralls and potentially masks or face shields to avoid sewage splashes.
You should also make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations, especially tetanus and hepatitis A and B.
In general, when working with hazardous and contaminated materials it’s important to be careful about how you dispose of these materials and make sure your hygiene practises are to a high standard.
You should also take note of your general health and take symptoms of sickness seriously.
It may not be top of your list of health and safety concerns, but the reality is that 64% of tradespeople experience some form of mental health problem, such as stress, anxiety or depression, every month.
In fact, of all the risks we’ve covered, this might be the most pertinent. 85% of plumbers say they don't feel comfortable talking to others about their mental health, which means it could be an issue any one of your colleagues is dealing with without you knowing.
To combat this problem, try and be supportive to your fellow tradespeople, ask them how they are and offer your help where possible.
One of the biggest mental stresses for plumbers is around financial security. To deal with this, if you run your own plumbing business, try and give your employees as much clarity as possible. Keep your business efficient and organised and stay as transparent as possible.
When working on a heating or plumbing job it’s necessary to have a degree of first aid training. Make sure you’re familiar with some of the basic skills such as CPR and how to clean and bind a wound.
If you’re working in a team, at least one team member should ideally be properly first aid trained. You should also have a first aid kit on you when working off-site and you should have a first aid station at your office.
Performing a risk assessment involves identifying potential hazards in the workplace, analysing the risks associated with these hazards, and implementing measures to control or eliminate them.
This involves doing a sweep of the working area, spotting the potential hazards and making a note of them.
Make the most of your accident and ill-health record to help you. You should also speak to employees as they may have suggestions you might have missed
This is about working out who is at the greatest risk, how different hazards might affect different people and taking steps to ensure they are protected.
You should consider people who might not be in that workspace at all times, such as visitors, and also think about those with disabilities.
This is about quantifying the level of risk any particular hazard presents. To do this follow the hierarchy of control measures. The primary goal is to eliminate the hazard altogether, but if that's not possible, control the risk so that harm is unlikely.
Prepare a written record of your significant findings, including the hazards identified, how people might be harmed by them, and what you have in place to control the risks.
You should periodically review the risk assessment to ensure it remains up to date and re-assess risks if significant changes occur in the workplace (e.g. new equipment, new procedures, or a change in personnel).
Task: Installation of a new residential piping system
Health and safety might not be something you want to think about, and it’s understandable. Sometimes health and safety can feel over the top, unnecessary and pedantic and many people feel like the world has gone soft.
While these opinions may have some substance, don’t let them put you and your team's health at risk. It’s always a good idea to consider the risks involved in a piece of work and where possible to mitigate against them.
Remember you’re not just doing this for yourself it’s also about looking after your customer too. Taking the time to perform a risk assessment and putting safety measures in place helps to show that you are a professional business and provides reassurance for your customers.
The bottom line is, that in every way, doing the due process is good for business. So make the effort and stay safe.
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