When you think of dangerous jobs, most people think of soldiers, firefighters, and police officers. While you may scoff, even working in an office where you sit at a desk for eight hours carries potential dangers. However, plumbers are no exception to danger and encounter many risks while on the job every day that put their health and lives on the line. In this blog, we cover a couple of those risks in detail. Keep on reading for more!
Leaks and damaged gas lines can cause natural gas to mix with oxygen. Excessive amounts of inhalation could cause plumbers to be poisoned and could even result in death. Also, anytime a plumber works with gas, it increases the chances of a possible explosion.
The temperature/pressure valve on a water heater ensures the unit properly maintains a safe temperature and pressure. If this valve is faulty, thermal expansion could cause the water heater to explode. Second, high temperature and pressure can be incredibly dangerous! High pressure in your home can cause your plumbing system to break and pipes to burst. High temperatures can cause scalding and burns.
You may not realize that waste is toxic. But, sewer gas has the potential to cause harm to you or others in your own home. Sewer gasses originate from the decay of household and commercial waste, and contain methane as well as carbon dioxide. These sewer gasses can enter your residence through a faulty floor drain or a leak/block in a plumbing vent. Potential dangers include, but are not limited to poisoning, asphyxiation, and explosion or fire.
Toilets, water heaters, and water softeners are heavy. If you don’t have proper training and protection to lift these large items you could pull/strain a muscle or drop the item on yourself causing permanent damage.
There are quite a few electrical components related to various plumbing systems. Most water softeners and irrigation systems are computerized, requiring advanced electrical training to be able to repair these costly systems safely. Plumbers that work with electricity are constantly in danger of being electrocuted.
How do plumbers avoid injury while encountering an array of problems in residential and commercial properties? They’re highly trained! Licensed and insured plumbers like the ones at Terry’s Plumbing are required to know basic safety information in their trade and complete continuing education and OSHA hours each year to ensure they are up to date on any advances. Contact our experts today for any of your plumbing needs!