Plumber Safety 1 – 2 – 3

Working as a plumber is a very rewarding profession. Despite the obvious advantages involved in this career, there is the always a possibility of encountering unsafe situations. Statistics from a 2013 Safe Work Australia review outlined that Males had a 30% higher chance of injuries compared to females and the highest rate of accidents occurred in labourers and related workers.  This was over double the rate of other occupations.

Keeping yourself safe and Work Safe Australia compliant is a simple as 1-2-3:

Step 1: Make safety a top priority

Although you may feel that finishing a job as quickly as possible should be your priority, you need to put safety first. The income of you and your family depend upon your well-being health and safety.

You should have at least one first aid kit available at all times.  Along with having the items on standby you should also become trained on how to administer first aid should an accident ever occur.

Here at First Aid Kits Australia we have developed a First Aid Kit specifically designed for the Australian plumber.  It is not only the basic requirements of a first aid kit, but the extra modules of Burn injury, Remote Area and Outdoor cover.  We have also included such things as waterproof dressing and waterproof tape to ensure you can get back to work ASAP in the event of an incident.

Step 2: Hold regular safety meetings

Holding regular safety meetings for your colleagues can encourage everyone to make smarter and safer choices on a daily basis. Safety meetings can also act as constant reminders for employees to avoid taking short cuts if it could jeopardize their safety.   Even if you are a sole trader, you need to take time out to assess your weekly events to ensure that you have not lost site of your Safety First focus.

Step 3: Ensure Safety on the job site

As a plumber, it is likely you perform the majority of your work at the homes and businesses of your clients. This means it will be necessary for you to remain safe at all times while in the field. In some cases, your workplace can be dangerous. You will need to carry a first aid kit in all of your vehicles, since you can never predict when an accident might occur.

Assess each risk and manage each situation accordingly. It is often when you are rushed when an incident will occur.  When you notice that safety if not in the forefront of your mind, take a step back and recognise the fact.  This is your first step to surviving a potentially hazardous situation.

Remember, success as a plumber is reliant on your safety. There are numerous types of accidents that could occur at any given time. However, as long as you or a designated person is trained in first aid, CPR and you practice safety on a regular basis, it should not be difficult to meet both of these goals.