| Health and safety concerns are extremely | | | | regulations is not only dangerous, but could also |
| important when taking on plumbing tasks. In | | | | lead to fines and penalties. Incorrectly installed |
| addition to basic safety measures, such as | | | | plumbing can cause a multitude of problems, from |
| wearing protective clothing and safety goggles | | | | leaks that can cause serious water damage in the |
| and dust masks when appropriate, there are also | | | | home, to allowing polluted water to backflow into |
| a number of other health and safety | | | | your home's water supply. |
| considerations which are specific to plumbing. | | | | Plumbing Safety and Health Hazards |
| Basic Safety Precautions | | | | Plumbing can be a hazardous job for those who |
| Of course, one of the main things you can do to | | | | are not completely familiar with the processes, |
| insure your health and safety is never to take on | | | | and for those who do not take adequate safety |
| any project that you are not totally | | | | precautions while they are working. It is important |
| knowledgeable about. Instead, leave these types | | | | to be familiar with any safety precautions that |
| of plumbing tasks to a professional. Secondly, if | | | | factor in to the use of products commonly used |
| you have manufacturer's instructions which must | | | | by such as the solder, solvents and adhesives. |
| be followed, make sure you understand them | | | | Protective gear should always be worn when |
| completely, and follow them exactly to avoid | | | | using hazardous materials. It is also important to |
| problems. It is also extremely important to follow | | | | avoid any exposure to raw sewage, and to |
| all safety precautions as well as all regulations | | | | carefully wash your hands and all equipment if it is |
| when dealing with any type of plumbing that is | | | | possible that they came in contact with sewage |
| used in conjunction with electricity. Always keep in | | | | or any other hazardous substances. Because |
| mind that electrical appliances can still store a | | | | plumbing work is often done on wet surfaces, |
| charge even after they have been disconnected | | | | wearing shoes with rubber soles is important. |
| from their power source, so this charge must be | | | | Shoes should also have protective toes to help |
| safely discharged. For the sake of safety, | | | | prevent against injury if heavy objects such as |
| rubber-soled shoes should be worn, and all tools | | | | pipes or tools are dropped. |
| should be held by their insulated handles. If you | | | | When working in confined areas, be careful that |
| need to touch surfaces such as pipes, metal | | | | gases such as hydrogen sulfide, which can be |
| bracings or other conductive surfaces, you should | | | | produced by the decomposition of sewage, |
| always make sure they are safe first. | | | | doesn't build up, and that the work area always |
| Plumbing Job Safety Precautions | | | | has a sufficient supply of oxygen. Care should |
| It is important to remember that a do-it-yourself | | | | always be taken when working with pipes that |
| homeowner must follow the same regulations and | | | | could contain steam or hot water, and eye or |
| controls as a plumber. If you are not completely | | | | face shields and insulated gloves should be used. |
| familiar with the regulations and requirements, | | | | Care should always be taken when working on |
| which are put in effect to protect public health | | | | metal pipes, due to the danger of electrical |
| and safety, you should instead hire a professional | | | | charges, and any power tools which are used |
| plumber to do the job. Failure to comply with all | | | | should be certified for use in wet environments. |