When it comes to safety in the workplace, plumbing is not usually the first thing that springs to mind. The risks associated with working on plumbing are not the same as those for other types of construction work, such as welding or roofing. However, there are some dangers that are specific to plumbing work. If you are thinking about starting a plumbing business or if you have been doing plumbing work for some time, you need to know about these potential hazards. Working with water can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. If you don’t have the right protective gear, you could get seriously hurt. If you want your business to succeed, you need to make sure that you take all the necessary precautions. If you don’t repair plumbing in a manner that protects the workers, you could face serious legal consequences as well as fines from workplace health and safety regulators. Here we look at some of the risks associated with plumbing work and why you should always protect your employees with the right safety gear.

Electricity

The most dangerous hazard when repairing plumbing is the risk of electric shock. You may think that this risk only applies to people working on live plumbing systems, but it can also affect people working on broken pipes in buildings. Broken pipes often have exposed wires that need to be repaired. If you do not cover the exposed wires with tape, you could get an electric shock if you accidentally touch them. This can be fatal if it happens when you are working on a broken pipe. It can also cause a serious injury if it happens when you are repairing a live system. The safest way to work on broken pipes is to cover the wires with electrical tape before you begin repairs. You can also use rubber tubing or a non-conductive barrier to protect wires from live pipes.

Excess Water Pressure

If you are working on a broken pipe that is connected to a municipal water supply, you may end up working with a lot of excess water pressure. This can be dangerous, especially if you are working on a live system. Excess water pressure can cause pipes to collapse, which could cause serious injuries. To make sure that you are not working with excess water pressure, you should turn off the water supply before you begin repairs. If you need to repair a broken pipe that is connected to a private water supply, you should turn the water off at the source. If you don’t, the water pressure will cause pressure to build up in the broken pipe, creating a dangerous working environment.

Working with a Pipeline Burst

A pipeline burst is a serious hazard that can cause a lot of damage to your building. If you are working on a broken pipe that is connected to a municipal water supply, you may end up working with a pipeline burst. This can be even more dangerous than working with excess water pressure, because a pipeline burst can cause a large amount of water to flow through the broken pipe. This can be fatal for anyone in the surrounding area. To make sure that you are not working with a pipeline burst, you should turn off the water supply before you begin repairs. If you need to repair a broken pipe that is connected to a private water supply, you should turn the water off at the source.

Working with Frozen Pipes

A frozen pipe is a serious hazard that can cause a lot of damage to your building. If you are working on a broken pipe that is connected to a municipal water supply, you may end up working with a frozen pipe. This can be fatal for anyone in the surrounding area. To make sure that you are not working with a frozen pipe, you should turn off the water supply before you begin repairs. If you need to repair a broken pipe that is connected to a private water supply, you should turn the water off at the source.

Working with Excessive Air Pressure in Pipes

Excessive air pressure in pipes can cause serious damage to your building. If you are working on a broken pipe that is connected to a municipal water supply, you may end up working with excessive air pressure. This can be fatal for anyone in the surrounding area. To make sure that you are not working with excessive air pressure, you should turn off the water supply before you begin repairs. If you need to repair a broken pipe that is connected to a private water supply, you should turn the water off at the source.

Working with Excessive Water in Pipes

Excessive water in pipes can cause serious damage to your building. If you are working on a broken pipe that is connected to a municipal water supply, you may end up working with excessive water. This can be fatal for anyone in the surrounding area. To make sure that you are not working with excessive water, you should turn off the water supply before you begin repairs. If you need to repair a broken pipe that is connected to a private water supply, you should turn the water off at the source.

Conclusion

Working with water can be dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be. You can protect your workers by following a few simple guidelines. First, you should turn off the water supply before you begin repairs. Second, you should cover wires with electrical tape before you begin repairs. Third, you should cover pipes with non-conductive barriers before you begin repairs. Finally, you should always wear protective clothing and gear when working with water.

Frequently Asked Question

Most plumbers charge an average of $70 to $120 per hour before trip fees and materials. Rates can range as high as $200 or as low as $45. A plumber's hourly rate covers their wages, insurance premiums, union dues, overhead, equipment, vehicle maintenance, and tools.
The national average cost to repair pipes is $150-$205, but prices range anywhere from $50- $733. Hourly plumber rates range from $55-$195 per hour for pipe repairs.
Rough-in plumbing for new construction costs $8,000 to $12,000, or about or about $4.50 per square foot for an average 2,000 square foot home with 2 or 3 bathrooms. Repiping an existing home the same size runs $3,100 to $5,500, or $0.40 to $2.00 per linear foot.
Water pipes – Leaking water pipes cost an average of $150 to $350 to repair. Finding the leak may cost an additional $100. Drywall repair costs an additional $250 to $750, depending on the hole's size and location. If a pipe froze and burst, you might be looking at paying $1,000 to $4,000 in water damage and cleanup.