How PPE Protects Plumbers in High-Risk Environments

Plumbers face more risks than most people realise. They encounter biological, chemical, and physical hazards on a daily basis. For instance, they inhale dangerous chemical gases when repairing underground pipes in sewers. 

Apart from that, they are at risk of rusted pipes falling on them due to structural weakness. Another risk they face is coming into contact with bacteria when wading through the old, contaminated water in sewers.

This is why wearing PPE or Personal Protective Equipment ensures that they remain protected. Apart from that, regulations by bodies like OSHA mandate that plumbers should wear PPE equipment when working. So, wearing this equipment ensures compliance as well. 

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment also ensures that you look professional, since you take your own safety seriously. But what do you mean by a high-risk environment, and what kind of PPE equipment should you use as a plumber? Let’s learn more about that below.

What Constitutes a High-Risk Plumbing Environment?

A high-risk plumbing environment refers to one wherein plumbers are constantly at risk from some kind of danger. 

Take a look at the table below to understand what kind of risks plumbers face in high-risk environments:

Table 1: High-risk Plumbing Environments and What Kinds of Risks Plumbers Face

Which PPE Items Must Plumbers Have for High-Risk Work?

Before we talk about the Personal Protective Equipment that plumbers must have, let’s first quickly understand what PPE equipment is. It simply refers to clothes that protect them from unwanted injuries, illness, and accidents. 

Now take a look at the infographic below to understand which kind of PPE equipment you must have for high-risk work:

Infographic 1: PPE Overview Table

Which PPE Equipment Should Plumbers Have for Chemical and Biological Exposure?

Plumbers should wear equipment like chemical-resistant gloves, waterproof overalls, full-seal goggles, and respirators. This equipment will protect them from chemical and biological risks. 

The kind of biological and chemical risks plumbers face includes contact with sewage, mold, contaminated water, and harsh chemicals. 

They come into contact with sewage when they walk through sewers or underground drains. The humid air and the bioactive material in the sewage lead to the growth of mold. That’s because the organic or bioactive material acts as a source of food for the mold.

Apart from that, the presence of sewage contaminates the water, filling it with harmful bacteria, which can lead to diseases. Some of these diseases include respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, chest pain, and coughing.

How Does PPE Equipment Protect Plumbers From Chemical and Biological Exposure?

Consider the table below to understand how the Personal Protective Equipment protects plumbers from chemical and biological exposure.

Table 2: How PPE Protects Plumbers From Chemical and Biological Exposure

Before you purchase this equipment, make sure that the equipment complies with regulations by bodies like OSHA. For instance, the gloves should be made from butyl, neoprene, or Viton.

You should also ensure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions on the glove if you plan to expose your hands to chemicals frequently. 

Which PPE Equipment Should Plumbers Have for Electrical Hazard Protection?

Plumbers should opt for PPE and safety equipment like insulated gloves, rubber soled boots to protect themselves against electrical hazards. They should also wear hard hats and NFPA-approved equipment. This involves face shields, fire-resistant pants and jackets, voltage-resistant gloves, and a double-layer switching hood.

The kind of electrical hazards plumbers face includes loose live wiring, stone or brick chips falling, and arc flashes. Live wiring refers to loosened wires that conduct charges through them. In other words, touching these wires can lead to electrocution when they come into contact with the body. You can find such wires near the circuit boards in bathrooms or kitchens.

Apart from that, kitchens and bathrooms often have pipes running behind these circuit boards. So, when you’re fixing those pipes, replacing them, or attaching new ones, you could get electrocuted.

Arc flashes refer to the leakage of electricity and creation of light from one conductor. During this event, the electricity flashes out in an arc-like format and can be attracted to other conductors. This could lead to other accidents.

How Does PPE Equipment Protect Plumbers from Electrical Hazards?

Consider the table below to understand how the Personal Protective Equipment protects plumbers from electrical hazards.

Table 3: How PPE Protects Plumbers From Electrical Hazards

Take a look at the infographic below to understand how to protect yourself from electrical shocks due to live wiring.

Infographic 2: Ensuring Additional Safety to Prevent Electrical Hazards

Which PPE Equipment Should Plumbers Have for Extreme Temperatures and Conditions?

Plumbers should opt for a list of PPE safety equipment containing heat-resistant gloves, insulated workwear, and cooling vests. This equipment will protect you from extreme weather hazards.

Plumbers can face two types of weather hazards, namely cold and heat hazards. The kind of cold-weather hazards plumbers face includes frozen pipes, broken pipes, and possible leaks from the tank. You could also catch pneumonia and suffer from frostbite. Heat hazards include skin burning due to hot water when working on geyser connections and solder-induced heat. The hot water could leak through the geyser connection pipes when you’re changing them. 

Alternatively, you could be soldering pipe connections together. This could lead to solder touch-related injuries. However, you could avoid this by using cropping tools. 

How Does PPE Equipment Protect Plumbers from Extreme Temperature Conditions?

Consider the table below to understand how wearing heat-resistant gloves, insulated workwear, and cooling vests protects plumbers from accidents. 

Table 4: How PPE Protects Plumbers From Electrical Hazards

What About Fit and Maintenance for PPE Equipment?

You should ensure that the safety equipment and PPE you use fit you, as it can cause discomfort otherwise. Apart from that, you should replace damaged equipment if you notice signs of wear and tear on it. 

Consider the infographic below to understand how often you should replace the PPE equipment:

Infographic 3: When To Replace Your PPE Equipment

Wrapping Up

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment will help you avoid unwanted accidents by acting as a first line of defence. It will help you enjoy fewer accidents, streamline your operational efficiency, and boost your reputation. 

Some examples of PPE equipment that you should have are hard hats, high-visibility vests, and chemical and heat-resistant gloves. They will protect your head, help you be visible, and prevent injuries to your hands. 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Q.1 What PPE is Mandatory for Plumbers on Commercial Sites?

Ans. On commercial sites, plumbers need to wear hard hats, high-visibility vests, safety boots, safety visors, and face masks. They will protect your head, feet, and face, and ensure that you are visible so that nobody accidentally hits you. 

Q.2 Is a Hard Hat Always Required for Residential Plumbing?

Ans. While not entirely necessary, wearing hard hats helps plumbers protect themselves from falling bricks and stones in residential settings. 

Q.3 How Do I Clean Reusable PPE Like Respirators or Goggles?

Ans. You can clean your goggles with the help of a clean cloth saturated with neutral detergents. You should begin on the outside and then finish by wiping the inner part of the goggles.

Store your respirators in a Ziploc bag to keep them clean. 

Q.4 What Are the 7 Types of PPE?

Ans. The 7 types of safety equipment and PPE are head, face, and eye, arm and hand, ear, respiration, feet, and body protective equipment.