10 Top Plumbing Safety Tips

What are some plumbing safety precaution tips?

Use the correct equipment
Wear a mask to protect yourself from mould
Get insured
Wear protective eye goggles
Use ear protection plugs or defenders
Invest in slip resistant, steel toe cap boots
Be prepared & plan ahead
Stay hydrated
Source reliable emergency contacts for when something goes wrong
Brush up on your knowledge and skills with training courses

From safety goggles and steel-toe boots, to using the right tools for the job, it’s important that plumbers keep themselves safe when training and on the job. Here are 10 top tips for keeping you safe:

1. Don’t be a Tool, Use the Right Equipment

Using the right tool can make a job easier, safer and faster to complete. Although it may seem arduous lugging a huge toolbox around with you or going back and for to the van, making that extra effort and using the correct equipment could save yourself an injury.

2. Mask Away the Mould

Working with water means you’ll often find yourself in damp or even mouldy rooms. Touching mould or breathing contaminated air can cause an allergic reaction and irritation symptoms, such as sneezing, red eyes or even a rash.

This is particularly dangerous for people who suffer from asthma or eczema, so invest in a mask and some good quality gloves to prevent an attack.

3. Ensure You’re Insured

Preventing damage or injury is great, but what happens if an incident is unavoidable? The correct insurance will protect your customers should something go wrong and cover any losses if you’re put out of work for some time.

4. Guard Your Eyes with Goggles

Whether it’s for when cutting pipe to size or to avoid dust when working in an attic, protective eyewear that doesn’t fog is an essential piece of workwear that all plumbers should have. If something happened to your eyes we’re sure you’d regret not wearing them.

5. Protect Your Hearing

Jobsites are noisy places, especially if multiple trades are working in one room and there are electric tools. Over time, these constant loud noises can cause hearing loss or other acoustic traumas such as tinnitus where your ears constantly ring or buzz. Protect your hearing by using simple protection such as plugs or defenders.

6. Steel Toe Cap Your Tootsies

There’s nothing more painful than stubbing your toe or dropping something on your foot. Slip resistant boots with steel toe caps, will ensure you stay on your feet for longer.

7. Fail to Prepare and Prepare to Fail

Before starting any job it’s important to go and see the customer and what they want done. Not only will this give you an accurate indication of if you can complete the project and prepare a quote, but it will ensure you know what to expect and can bring the appropriate tools and equipment.

You’ll also be able to check plumbing and building codes ahead of time, and won’t be surprised on day one of the job by any awkward spaces.

8. Hydrate in High Temperatures

When you’re busy and just want to get a job finished, it’s easy to forget to stop and take a drink. However, working in attics or confined spaces could cause you to sweat and become dehydrated quickly, which can be the start of the road to headaches, dizziness, lethargy, fits and changes to your pulse rate. Do we need to say anymore?

9. Never Neglect Emergency Contacts

If you accidentally cut through a cable, who do you call? An electrician yes, but finding one who can come out immediately for an emergency can be hard work. Building a diary of contacts from other trades is extremely handy and can be used to nip any issues in the bud quickly to minimise consequences.

10. Get Great Plumbing Training

Not sure how to complete a task or need to brush up on your skills so you can offer your customers the best service possible? Then we can help.

Here at Access Training, we offer flexible, intensive training with courses that can fit around your work or personal commitments. Take a look at our professional plumbing training courses and enrol today.