The Importance of PPE When Using Heat and Cutting Equipment

Plumbers face a variety of hazards in their day-to-day lives. These range from biological to chemical and physical hazards. For example, plumbers can suffer from burns due to soldering equipment or torches. They can also suffer from explosions of utilities like boilers or heaters, as in 2015. A Massachusetts-based plumber passed away due to the burns sustained in a home explosion.

As a plumber yourself, you might have experienced similar life-threatening conditions. However, you can avoid the possibility of getting injured with the help of the right safety gear or PPE.  Apart from that, wearing PPE is also something that is mandated by bodies like OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Let’s learn more about how PPE can protect you from various heat-related injuries in the sections below. We’ll also cover the legal requirements of wearing PPE, along with maintenance tips and how to choose the right PPE.

Continue reading for more.

What Are the Legal Requirements of PPE?

As per the OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.132, all employees working in hazardous workplaces should be provided with PPE and be made to use it as required. 

Apart from that, it states that if an employee brings or provides their own PPE equipment, the employer will be responsible for maintaining it. The regulations also state that your employer should adequately determine whether or not PPE is required.

In case it is required, the employer should provide PPE that is relevant to the situation and is also well-fitting. Some of the other things covered under these regulations include the correct way to maintain the PPE to ensure longevity.

The 29 CFR 1910.132 regulations also state that the employer should provide an adequate degree of PPE training to the employee. Not complying with these regulations can lead to fines and injuries. These regulations help protect the employee from various dangers, which we shall speak about below. 

Which Types of Heat and Cutting Tools-related Dangers Do PPE Protect Plumbers from? 

Wearing a PPE kit can help protect you from injuries that are commonly caused due to heat and cutting tools. Let’s understand this in a little more detail below.

Types of Heat Equipment Plumbers Use

Plumbers use heat equipment like blow torches and soldering irons. They use a variety of blow torches, like propane, acetylene, and oxy-acetylene torches.

Propane torches are commonly used by plumbers to remove rusted nuts and bolts. By removing the nuts and bolts, plumbers can remove rusted pipe joints and replace them with new ones. Propane torches have a temperature range of 1200 to 2000 degrees Celsius (2192°F to 3632°F).

They use acetylene torches to cut through metals, such as in the case of pipe obstructions or rusted joints. Acetylene torches have a temperature range of 3100 degrees Celsius (5612°F). Oxy-acetylene torches are used by plumbers for heavy-duty welding applications. These torches have the highest amount of heat content, reaching temperatures of up to 3500 degrees Celsius (6332°F).

Plumbers use soldering irons to join copper pipes and join loose fittings to create leak-proof connections. When they use these tools, they are prone to the dangers of sparks and extreme heat, which can cause skin injuries. Apart from that, they are also prone to the dangers of noxious fumes due to the molten metal during welding.

Personal Protective Equipment Useful in This Scenario

To counter the effects of these dangers, you should use the following types of PPE: 

• eye and face protection
• respiratory protection
• body protection

Take a look at the table below to get an idea of how this PPE gear will protect you:

Table 1: Types of PPE Useful To Protect Yourself From Heat Due To Heat-Based Plumbing Equipment

Types of Cutting Tools Plumbers Are Using

Plumbers use a variety of cutting tools like pipe cutters, tubing cutters, sawzalls, and angle grinders. They use pipe cutters to make straight, clean cuts in various types of pipes. These include aluminium, copper, PVC, cast iron, and steel pipes. The type of pipe cutter they use depends on the nature of the pipes.

• Tubing cutters are used by plumbers to cut small or multi-layer pipes. They use these pipes in small, narrow spaces.
• Sawzalls are tools that are used to make aggressive cuts in large-diameter pipes. These tools are used to cut copper, aluminium, and stainless steel pipes. 
• Angle grinders are used by plumbers to make multiple and accurate cuts in pipe fitting and welding. Another tool that plumbers use with cutting tools is a power drill. They use these drills to create holes in new fixtures when installing new pipes.

When they use these tools, they are prone to the dangers of their limbs being cut or suffering from sparks during the cutting process. Apart from that, some other types of dangers include flying debris, lacerations, and noise from the power drills.

List of Useful PPE Kits

You should use PPE like the following in this scenario:

• Eye protection
• Body protection 
• Ear protection

Take a look at the table below to get an idea of how this PPE gear will protect you:

Table 2: Types of PPE Useful To Protect Yourself From Heat Due To Cutting Plumbing Equipment 

Now, having PPE kits is not enough. You will also have to maintain and store them properly to ensure longevity. Apart from that, maintaining your PPE will help you avoid spending money in the future to maintain it.

How to Properly Maintain and Store Your PPE?

Take a look at the table below to get an idea about how to maintain and store your PPE for longevity.

Table 3: How To Clean and Store Your PPE Equipment For Longevity

The Last Word: Safety First, Always

Using PPE equipment ensures that you don’t suffer from various injuries commonly associated with heat and cutting tools. The type of PPE you use will depend on your exact operation and the type of tool you’re using. 

So, make sure you consider your needs carefully before selecting the right tool for yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Which Type of Gloves Will Allow You to Use Heat and Cutting Tools Effectively?

Ans. You should use heat-resistant gloves when you’re using cutting and heat tools effectively.

Q.2 How Will Respirators Protect You from Noxious Fumes?

Ans. The respirators will protect you from noxious fumes through the various filters present in them.

Q.3 How Can You Ensure That Your PPE Equipment Is Good to Go Before the Operation to Ensure Safety?

Ans. You should check your PPE equipment before using it. When you’re checking the various gear, look for cracks, scratches, holes, or any torn portions in the goggles, respirators, and gloves, respectively.

Q.4? Will My Eyesight Be Affected If I Use Goggles During Welding Operations?

Ans. No, your eyesight will not be affected when you use goggles during welding operations.