Safety protocols for industrial plumbing projects

Plumbing safety should be an integral part of your industrial plumbing project plan. Plumbers may face occupational safety hazards and other plumbing safety hazards such as minor burns, cuts, and even electric shocks. Thus, there are valid reasons for everyone to adhere to safety protocols for industrial plumbing projects.

This article covers examples of plumbing safety hazards, standard plumbing safety precautions for industrial plumbing projects, and health and safety tips for plumbing jobs. You can also learn about protective equipment, safety tips when working at heights, and record-keeping for improved plumbing project safety.

Examples of Plumbing Safety Hazards

Examples of safety hazards in industrial sites include the following:

• Blocked or burst pipes
• Roof leaks
• Blocked stormwater drains
• Faulty water heaters
• Gas leaks
• Faulty smoke alarms

Standard plumbing safety precautions for industrial projects

The plumbing industry has safety protocols that you need to follow to reduce common hazards that may occur in industrial plumbing projects. Read on for some plumbing safety procedures to help keep you and every stakeholder safe from common plumbing safety hazards.

Protection from hazardous materials during plumbing repairs

You may be exposed to hazardous substances during plumbing repairs. Examples of biohazardous substances include asbestos, drain-cleaning chemicals, and raw sewage. You need to make sure you wear proper protective equipment for such work.

• When working near raw sewage, you can also use sanitiser and disinfectant wipes to protect yourself from bacteria and viruses.
• Use plumbing gloves to protect your hands from burns, chemicals, and biohazards.
• Wearing masks can help to protect your lungs from potentially toxic substances such as mould or asbestos.
• Other protective equipment for sewage work includes gloves, coveralls, eye protection, and rubber boats.
• Use alcohol wipes to wipe down your tools and equipment after sewage work.
• Washing your hands is a crucial safety procedure after working with sewage.

Taking safety precautions when fixing water supplies

When fixing plumbing leaks, you must take safety measures to prevent slips and falls. You can wear non-slip safety boots.

Taking safety measures when fixing plumbing pipes

Some common plumbing hazards that you need to protect yourself from when fixing plumbing pipes include the following:

• Loss of hearing arising from loud noises such as banging tools.
• Accidents from pipes and plumbing machinery.
• Cuts and fractures from using power tools and plumbing equipment.
• The electric shock when working with metal pipes.
• Hot water or steam incidents which lead to burns.

Meanwhile, you can take the following safety measures to manage these safety hazards:

• You can make use of various electrical hazard protections.
• Wearing earplugs can help reduce loud noises and protect your ears.
• Always follow safety procedures when working with hand tools and powered tools.
• Keep bridging conductors in place until you finish the work.
• If you work with metals, the clamps should make proper electrical contact with metal pipes.
• As a plumber, you must properly ground electrical tools and equipment.
• Shut off the water and ensure that you do not have water or other liquids in your work area if there is a risk of electrical shock.

Avoiding injuries when working in confined spaces

Several musculoskeletal injuries may arise when you work in tight or confined spaces. You must take precautions to avoid getting muscle or ligament strains and tendonitis.

• The work area of confined spaces should be well-ventilated.
• Wear a gas detector or self-contained breathing apparatus in confined spaces if necessary.

Health and Safety Tips for Plumbing Jobs

Apart from following plumbing safety procedures, you can make use of the following essential safety tips for plumbers:

• Implement and use a health and safety policy. Such workplace plumbing safety programs help reduce safety hazards in industrial projects.
• Be sure to include first aid, emergency, accident report, and investigation procedures in your health and safety policy.
• Your emergency response plan should include fire safety drills and procedures.
• It would be best to have site plumbing dos and don'ts for proper health and safety.
• For instance, you may set up rules for appliance repair, backflow prevention, chimney sweeps, and electrical wirings. 
• Considering pest control measures for specific plumbing jobs is not out of place.
• You can incorporate the use of plumbing software, such as HVAC software and field service management software, for safer work procedures.
• You must follow local and legislative guidelines relating to plumbing safety.
• Your plumber should be aware of potential site hazards through site briefings.
• Likewise, you must conduct health and safety training for new hires before the industrial plumbing job commences.
• Perform refresher training on health and safety procedures.
• Such important plumbing safety topics include equipment handling, hazard awareness, safety procedures, and the use of personal protective equipment.

Safety tips on using plumbing tools and protective equipment

• You must provide relevant and proper protective gear such as latex gloves, safety glasses for eye protection, and work boots for plumbing work.
• Personal Protective Equipment needs to always be available to industrial plumbers.
• Always inspect plumbing tools and equipment as well as safety equipment before use.
• Plumbing tools should always be in top condition to reduce safety hazards.
• You need to maintain plumbing vans regularly.

Safety tips when working at heights

• Using the proper fall protection equipment, such as safety nets and harnesses, can help reduce the risk of falls when working at heights.
• Every work area should be free of needless clutter.
• Ladders and scaffolding should be secure.
• Plumbers need to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hard hats.
• Follow all safety guidelines for building and plumbing work to help forestall plumbing issues.
• Ensure you get proper training on assigned job sites' potential safety and health hazards.

Record-keeping tips for improved plumbing project safety

• Performing a risk assessment before the industrial plumbing project begins will help you to identify potential safety hazards.
• For instance, you will be better able to prepare for hazards in installing plumbing systems or trenchless sewer repairs.
• Creating detailed job orders can help reduce common plumbing issues.
• It would be best to keep safety data sheets (SDS) to better understand health hazards such as chemicals.
• These SDSs can help new hires know more about safety procedures and chemical properties related to the project.
• You can download safety fact sheets and read frequently asked questions about the building and construction industries.
• Creating health and safety checklists can help your plumbers more easily identify common hazards and prevent injuries.
• You can share job safety checklists with various plumbing businesses or project stakeholders.
• Continually update safety measures for better workplace health and safety for builders and plumbers.

Services of Commercial Plumbing Contractors

You can seek the services of a commercial plumbing contractor for a safer plumbing project. Here are some services you can expect from a commercial plumber:

• A commercial plumber can handle plumbing installations, repairs, and maintenance of plumbing systems.
• This includes the repair and replacement of plumbing system components.
• They can service water supplies.
• You can invite them to install heating systems.
• They can handle emergency repair services such as fixing septic tank outlets and repairing sewage pipes.
• Moreover, they can provide safety tips for your industrial plumbing project.

Hire a Plumbing Contractor for Plumbing Projects

After reading this article, you have learned more about industrial plumbing project safety protocols. You also know more about safety tips on using plumbing tools and protective equipment when working at heights.

Industrial plumbing projects are not like residential plumbing projects. The plumbing tasks are usually more intricate and extensive. You need to make sure that you do a good job.

In addition, you need to ensure you follow all plumbing safety procedures. So, whether it's a minor repair or a major installation, enlisting the help of a professional plumber is crucial for a job well done - providing you with reliable plumbing services and peace of mind.