4 Critical Safety Precautions for Do-It-Yourself Plumbing

Don’t even think for a second that plumbing is a simple task. Yes, you can do it without the assistance of professionals, but you run the risk of getting into an accident. “I use gloves and all that jazz,” you may say, but nothing beats a thorough safety precaution. When dealing with a plumbing emergency, the following four critical safety tips must be followed:

1. Preparation is sufficient.

Being prepared is the key to avoiding accidents. Adequate knowledge of what you are about to do can reduce the likelihood of setbacks. Always check the plumbing and building codes for your projects, no matter how big or small. These may come in handy if an emergency arises. Prepare the necessary tools ahead of time and arrange them neatly to avoid slamming into them, which can result in serious injuries. Read all labels carefully. Equipment instructions and warning labels are there for a reason: to protect you and prevent hazards. Stop moaning and start reading.

2. Proper Protection.

It is strongly advised that plumbers – or any other workers – wear proper body protective gear when working or even just near the working area. No matter how strong or healthy you believe you are, your body can collapse at any time if the type of work you do is wearing you down. There are specific safeguards in place for the following:

• Eyes – Wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shields to protect your eyes from dust and other small objects.
• Hands – Hands – Wear appropriate work gloves for the type of plumbing you’re doing. When working with drain machines, wear latex gloves over leather gloves. When working with chemicals, rough rubber gloves are used, and a heavy-duty pair of gloves is used when smoldering. Wear heat-insulating gloves when working with hot pipes.
• Footwear – our feet are as important as any other part of our body. They are in charge of getting us where we want to go as well as supporting our bodies when we lift heavy objects. As a result, it is only natural to protect your feet. When working, wear appropriate footwear. You might trip over some tools that are lying around.
• Headgear – Wear hard hats or other head coverings to keep your head from collapsing while working.
• Lungs – The lungs can malfunction as a result of foul odors and dust. Face masks are fine, but if you’re working with chemicals, respirators are a must.
• Ears – Our eardrums are extremely sensitive, so wear earplugs while working to protect them from extremely loud noises. They reduce background noise and allow you to concentrate on the task at hand.
• Body – When working, long pants and sleeved shirts are recommended. They shield you from harmful chemicals and dirty water, and they prevent direct contact with your skin.

3. Uninterrupted Attention.

People who are unable to focus on the task at hand are more likely to be involved in an accident. You may claim that you have a very short attention span, but you must at least try to focus on what you are doing right now. Sure, you can talk to a coworker, but don’t lose focus on your work. If you made a mistake, don’t get too worked up about it. Determine what happened as soon as possible and begin working on a solution.

4. Appropriate Tool Usage

Know your tools – their uses, functions, and how to use them. Using the wrong tools for the wrong job will only lead to frustration on your part. The broken pipes and hammers will not complain if they are incompatible – you will! You will not only endanger your safety, but you will also cause more damage to your home. Imagine the bills piling up!