Health and safety

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H
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E
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B
y the end of this chapter you should be able to demonstrate
understanding of the following health and safety topics. This
will assist you in completing the knowledge assessment in the
Safety in Plumbing Activities Unit of the Level 2 Certifcate in Basic
Plumbing Studies:

Health and safety leglslatlon
-
Health and safety pollcy
-
The Health and Safety at work Act
-
The Constructlon, Deslgn and Management Pegulatlons
-
Constructlon (Health, Safety and welfare Pegulatlons)
-
The Peportlng of |n[urles, Dlseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Pegulatlons
-
The Llectrlclty at work Pegulatlons
-
The Plre Precautlons Act
-
The Safety Slgns and Slgnals Pegulatlons
-
The Provlslon and Use of work Lqulpment Pegulatlons
-
The Manual Handllng Operatlons Pegulatlons
-
The Personal Protectlve Lqulpment at work Pegulatlons
-
The Llftlng Operatlons and Llftlng Lqulpment Pegulatlons
-
The work at Helght Pegulatlons
-
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Pegulatlons
-
The Control of Asbestos at work Pegulatlons
-
The Control of Lead at work Pegulatlons.

Personal safety and the safety of others
-
Uslng personal protectlve equlpment
-
Llectrlcal power tools
-
work at helghts
-
work ln excavatlons
-
work wlth hazardous substances
-
work wlth LPG gas heatlng equlpment
-
Plre safety
-
Plrst-ald arrangements.
2
1 Health and safety
Main items of health and safety legislation
in plumbing
Health and safety policy
There are two main organisations that deal with health and safety:

the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) responsible for health and
safety regulation in the UK, i.e. setting policy

the Health and Safety Executive responsible for enforcement of the
health and safety regulations.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA)
The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) 1974 lays down
responsibilities for employers, the self-employed, manufacturers or
suppliers of materials and employees in carrying out work safely.
Main employer responsibilities under the regulations are:

the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are
safe and without risk to health (this includes the supply of all necessary
personal protective equipment)

safety in the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and
substances

the provision of information, instruction, training and supervision as
necessary to ensure the health and safety at work of employees

the provision of access to and exit from the workplace that is safe and
without risk

the provision of adequate facilities and arrangements for welfare
at work.
Main employee responsibilities under the regulations are:

take reasonable care at work of your own health and safety and that of
others who may be affected by what you do or do not do

do not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything
provided for your health and safety

co-operate with your employer on health and safety matters. Assist your
employer in meeting their statutory obligations

bring to your employers attention any situation you think presents a
serious and imminent danger

bring to your employers attention any weakness you might spot in their
health and safety arrangements.
HASAWA in addition requires that employers:

produce a health and safety policy statement when employing fve or
more operatives

undertake risk assessments associated with the work activities carried
out, identify safety control measures necessary to minimise the risks,
Did you
know?
HASAwA also provldes
protectlon for members of the
publlc agalnst unsafe work
actlvltles.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
oung or lnexperlenced
workers are partlcularly
at rlsk when carrylng out
plumblng work. Thats why
health and safety regulatlons
place emphasls on employers
provldlng sumclent
lnformatlon, lnstructlon and
tralnlng before the work
beglns.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

3
1 Health and safety
inform employees of the risk and train them in the effective application
of the control measures and periodically review the risk assessments

the risk assessments must be in writing if more than fve persons are
employed by the frm.
Types of safety controls used by frms
There are a variety of control systems that can be used by plumbing
companies:

risk assessments an identifcation of the work activities carried out
by the plumbing frm that could cause harm to staff or others. In
undertaking the risk assessment, safety control measures are then
identifed that will minimise the risk to the lowest practicable level; the
frms employees are then advised of the results of the risk assessment,
including the safety controls that have to be applied when carrying out
the work

method statements frms produce method statements for high-risk
activities such as working at height to line a fue system. The method
statement draws together the fndings/control measures of all the risk
assessments associated with the activity, such as working at heights,
working with fue-liner materials, working with mortar mixes, etc. into
one simple document which is provided to employees, co-contractors,
etc. to provide guidance on how the work activity will be carried out

permit-to-work systems a permit-to-work system is used as a safety
control for very high-risk or potentially fatal activities. The permit-to-
work is essentially a fxed checklist of tasks that must be completed
before an activity is carried out. The permit-to-work will usually be
counter-signed by a supervisory level company offcial. A permit-to-
work system could apply to high-risk activities such as working with
gas heating equipment in potential fre-risk areas, working on electrical
equipment and working in confned spaces such as sewers.
The Construction Design and Management
Regulations
The main objectives are:

the CDM Regulations are aimed at improving the overall management
and co-ordination of health, safety and welfare throughout all stages of
a construction project to reduce the large numbers of serious and fatal
accidents and cases of ill health that occur every year in the construction
industry

the CDM Regulations place duties on all those who can contribute to the
health and safety of a construction project. The Regulations place duties
upon clients, designers, contractors and planning supervisors, and
require the production of certain documents the health and safety plan
and the health and safety fle.
Did you
know?
Plsk assessment should be
carrled out before the work ls
started.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
CDM Regulations
These apply to large
constructlon pro[ects, requlrlng
all those lnvolved ln the pro[ect
to safely work together.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

4
1 Health and safety
Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations)
These regulations lay down key requirements for the safety of construction
sites:

generally ensuring a safe place of work

precautions against falls from height or into excavations

protection against falling objects

protection against structural collapse (while work is taking place), i.e. the
building falling down!

safeguards when working in excavations

prevention of drowning (falling into water)

provision of safe traffc routes (on sites)

prevention and control of emergencies (site emergency evacuation
procedures, etc.)

provision of welfare facilities WCs, washing facilities, canteens/rest
areas, shower facilities (if required)

provision of site-wide issues clean and tidy sites, adequate lighting,
constant and fresh air supply, etc.

training, inspection and reports proper training of staff, use of properly
trained staff to do the work, proper supervision of staff and monitoring
the work carried out by staff to ensure it is carried out in a safe manner.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
RIDDOR lays down the requirements for the employer reporting the
following to the Health and Safety Executive:

injuries fatalities (including members of the public) or injuries
resulting in three days off work

diseases if a doctor advises that an employee is suffering from a work-
related disease listed under RIDDOR

dangerous occurrences something that happened that could have
resulted in a reportable injury, e.g. the collapse of an excavation.
Detail of reportable accidents should be forwarded by the employer to the
HSE on form F2508. If a fatality is being reported then this must take place
within ten days.
The HSE will make a decision based on the report form forwarded regarding
the level of investigation and subsequent action required, which may
include legal action for breaches of health and safety regulations.
A frm should maintain an accident book for recording detail of all types
of injury that occur while carrying out work, however minor. The accident
book is used by the employing frm to monitor the level of accidents that
occur and establish whether any additional safety controls are required to
do the work.
Defnition
Accldent book a document
where detall of all accldents ls
recorded, no matter how mlnor.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

5
1 Health and safety
If an accident occurs (whether it is RIDDOR reportable or not), an employee
may be required to complete an accident report form; this should preferably
be completed by the injured employee as soon after the accident as
possible. If it is completed by a third party, then the employee must carefully
check that the details are a clear identifcation of the events that took place,
as once signed, an accident report could be used in legal proceedings!
The Electricity at Work Regulations
These regulations lay down requirements for safe working with electricity:

duties of those involved in undertaking the electrical work

systems, work activities and protective equipment

strength and capability of electrical equipment

insulation, protection and placing of conductors

earthing and other suitable precautions

integrity of reference conductors

making connections

means for protecting from excess current

means of cutting off the supply and isolation

precautions for work on equipment made dead

work on or near live conductors

working space, access and lighting

competence to prevent danger and injury.
The Fire Precautions Act
Employers duties include safety in relation to fre hazards, both from
the work processes and activities carried out, and general fre safety in
the workplace. Employers must carry out a fre-risk assessment. The
risk assessment is to enable employers to identify and then take steps to
eliminate, reduce or control safety risks (including risks from fre) to make
sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill. Where more than 20 people are
employed at a property, the property will require a fre certifcate from the
local enforcing authority.
General fre precautions that an employer may provide include:

means of detecting and giving warning in case of fre

escape routes

fre-fghting equipment

training of staff in fre safety.
The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations
The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations provide a standardised approach
for displaying safety signs in the workplace.
Did you
know?
Many of the requlrements
of the Llectrlclty at work
Pegulatlons are absolute:
fallure to comply could lead to
legal actlon.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

6
1 Health and safety
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations (PUWER)
The Regulations require risks to persons health and safety from equipment
that they use at work, to be prevented or controlled. Work equipment
includes all tools (power or hand) and work equipment such as threading
machines and bending machines. In general terms, the Regulations require
that equipment provided for use at work is:

suitable for the intended use

safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and, in certain
circumstances, inspected to ensure this remains the case

used only by people who have received adequate information,
instruction and training

accompanied by suitable safety measures, e.g. protective devices,
markings, warnings.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations
These Regulations lay down requirements for moving loads by hand; this
could involve pushing, pulling, lowering the load, etc. The following control
measures are identifed in the Regulations:

avoid hazardous manual handling operations so far as is reasonably
practicable, for example by using a mechanical lifting aid such as a sack
trolley to move the load

make a suitable and suffcient risk assessment of any hazardous manual
handling operations that cannot be avoided

reduce the risk of injury from those operations so far as is reasonably
practicable, providing such controls as training staff in safe or kinetic
lifting techniques.
Prohibition signs
Shape: Circular
Colour: Red borders and
cross bar. Black
symbols on white
background
Meaning:

Shows what must

NOT be done
Example: No smoking
Mandatory signs
Circular
White symbol on
blue background
Shows what must
be done
Wear eye protection
Warning signs
Triangular
Yellow background with
black border and
symbol
Warns of hazard or
danger
Danger electric shock risk
Information or
safe condition signs
Square or rectangular
White symbols
on green background
Indicates or gives
information on safety
provision
First-aid facilities
Figure 1.1 Safety slgns
Did you
know?
The use of abraslve wheels ls
now covered by PUwLP, all
stan uslng such equlpment
need to be properly tralned,
lnformed and supervlsed.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
The safe condltlon of hand
tools such as hammers and
spanners ls covered by PUwLP.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
Cartridge-fxing devices
PUwLP has lald down new
requlrements for the use
of cartrldge-xlng devlces,
based on a rlsk assessment of
the work and proper tralnlng
of stan, any age restrlctlon
detalled ln prevlous leglslatlon
has been removed.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

7
1 Health and safety
A risk assessment for manual handling will include
taking into account the following fve factors:

the task

the load

the working environment

individual capability (of the person carrying out the
lifting)

other factors, for example use of protective clothing.
The Personal Protective Equipment at
Work Regulations (PPE)
PPE is defned in the Regulations as all equipment
(including clothing affording protection against the
weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a
person at work and which protects him against one or
more risks to his health or safety, e.g. safety helmets,
gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety
footwear and safety harnesses. The provision of
respiratory and hearing protection is the subject of
separate legislation.
The main requirement of the PPE at Work Regulations is
that personal protective equipment is to be supplied and
used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety
that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.
The Regulations also require that PPE:

is properly assessed before use to ensure it is suitable

is maintained and stored properly

is provided with instructions on how to use it safely

is used correctly by employees.
Under the Regulations, PPE must be supplied by the
employer on a free-of-charge basis to the employee.
Figure 1.2 Lxample of a
mechanlcal llftlng devlce
(sack trolley)
8
1 Health and safety
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment
Regulations
The Regulations aim to reduce risks to peoples health and safety from lifting
equipment (such as cranes, pulleys, ropes, slings, etc.) provided for use at
work. Generally, the Regulations require that lifting equipment provided for
use at work is:

strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate
safe working loads

positioned and installed to minimise any risks

used safely, i.e. the work is planned, organised and performed by
competent people

subject to ongoing thorough examination and where appropriate,
inspection by competent people.
The Work at Height Regulations
The Work at Height Regulations apply to all work at heights where there is a
risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. They place duties on employers,
the self-employed, and any person who controls the work of others. The
Regulations require duty holders to ensure that:

all work at height is properly planned and organised

all work at height takes account of weather conditions that could
endanger health and safety

those involved in work at height are trained and competent

the place where work at height is done is safe

equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected

the risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled

the risks from falling objects are properly controlled.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations (COSHH)
The Regulations require employers to control exposure to hazardous
substances to prevent ill health. They have to protect both employees and
others who may be exposed by complying with the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations. To comply with the COSHH regulations
an employer must:

assess the risks

decide what precautions are needed

prevent or adequately control exposure

ensure that control measures are used and maintained

monitor the level of exposure to the substance

carry out appropriate health surveillance where required

prepare procedures to deal with accidents and emergencies

ensure employees are adequately informed, trained and supervised.
Did you
know?
Llftlng equlpment ls not [ust
cranes and machlnes, lt also
lncludes ropes and pulleys used
ln llftlng.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Defnition
work at helghts ls usually
descrlbed as work taklng place
at a helght of 2m or more
above ground level.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
Hazardous substances
Usually descrlbed as substances
ln the form of sollds, llqulds,
dusts, fumes, vapours, gases
or mlcro-organlsms that may
present a rlsk to health.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

9
1 Health and safety
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations
Key requirements of the Regulations are:

asbestos insulating materials or linings of white, blue and brown
asbestos must only be removed/worked on by licensed contractors

on identifying high-risk white, blue or brown asbestos materials, work
must be stopped in order that a risk assessment may be conducted in
relation to working with/or working in the proximity of the asbestos
material

work with asbestos material must be the subject of a risk assessment
with appropriate control measures provided, e.g. on-site washing
facilities

asbestos materials must be properly disposed of in approved packaging
(preventing the spread of any fbres) and asbestos materials must be
properly disposed of at approved waste sites

operatives undertaking work in the proximity of asbestos or in the
removal of asbestos materials must be properly informed, instructed
and trained.
Work with asbestos cement-based materials does not present as high a
risk and this may be carried out by non-licensed contractors provided a
risk assessment is undertaken and effective control measures are used to
prevent the spread of any material and to protect workers, e.g. the use of
effective protective clothing and respiratory protective equipment.
The Control of Lead at Work Regulations
The regulations require the following to be put in place:

duties employers and employees alike are responsible for protecting
themselves and others on premises where leadwork is being carried out
or who are likely to be exposed to lead from that work

training operatives should be provided with proper information,
instruction and training on the safe use of lead

assessment of risk of exposure if there is a risk of exposure to lead in a
form that may be inhaled or ingested, the level of risk must be assessed
and the fndings properly recorded. Correct working practices and
proper controls should be established and appropriate protective and
safety equipment provided before the work proceeds

control measures the employer and employee must ensure, as far as is
reasonably practical, that all measures are taken to restrict and control
exposure

protective clothing each employee should be provided with and should
wear adequate protective clothing

respiratory equipment and ventilation suitable masks or respiratory
equipment must be provided and used where there is a risk of exposure
to airborne lead dust or fumes.
Did you
know?
There are three types of
asbestos, commonly known
as chrysotlle, amoslte and
crocldollte (whlte, blue and
brown respectlvely).
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Safety tip
Asbestos can be deadly!
8reathlng ln asbestos dust can
lead to chronlc (long-term)
fatal dlseases such as
mesothelloma (cancer of the
lnner chest llnlng), lung cancer
or asbestosls (scarrlng of the
lung).
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
Asbestos ls more llkely to be
found ln propertles bullt before
l980.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
Use of lead
Plumbers may encounter old
lead plpe ln bulldlngs or sheet
lead used as weatherproong
on the outslde of bulldlngs.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

l0
1 Health and safety

washing facilities and canteen areas adequate washing and changing
facilities should be provided. Washing of the hands is essential before
eating, drinking or smoking and before leaving the workplace. Food
and drink should not be consumed in any area where leadwork is being
carried out. Washing of hands and face and changing of contaminated
clothes should take place before entering canteen areas

spread of contamination both employer and employee should take
such steps as are reasonably practicable to prevent lead contamination
from spreading beyond the workplace or storage area

waste and scrap old lead sheet being replaced should be removed with
care. Scrap and dust should be taken to approved collectors to facilitate
recycling. Vehicles transporting scrap and dust should be thoroughly
washed and cleaned after use

lifting lead lead is heavy. Proper lifting equipment and additional staff
should be available and always used to ensure the safety of operatives
lifting and moving lead sheet

medical surveillance the blood lead level of operatives regularly
working with lead should be monitored at regular intervals

maintenance records it is the duty of the employer to provide and
maintain adequate records that show details of risk assessments,
information and training provided, precautionary measures taken,
medical surveillance and ventilation and respiratory equipment
provided.
Personal safety and the safety of others
Using personal protective equipment
Eye protection
Did you
know?
Typlcal safety glasses used for
lead weldlng are not sultable
eye protectlon when uslng a
hammer drlll: the lenses need
to be hlgh-lmpact reslstant.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Did you
know?
Lead-welding
when lead-weldlng lndoors
for long perlods, lt may be
necessary for a local exhaust
ventllatlon system to be
provlded, or alternatlvely
proper resplratory protectlon
devlces may be requlred.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Figure 1.3 Lxample of eye protectlon (safety glasses)

ll
1 Health and safety
Eye protection comes in the form of:

safety glasses a typical application could be lead welding

safety goggles these provide a higher level of protection than safety
glasses, as they should ft closely to the face

welding goggles these include specialist coloured lenses.
Eye protection that is used to guard against the threat created by fying
objects should include lenses that are of the high-impact resistant type.
Remember
Barrier creams
These are often used as a form
of hand protectlon to prevent
substances enterlng through
cuts ln the skln. A typlcal
appllcatlon ls when handllng
sheet lead.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Hand protection
Hand protection that is normally used in plumbing includes:

general-purpose gloves these help protect against cutting or puncture
wounds; an example of their use could be lifting concrete blocks or
lifting steel tube

specialist gloves these are typically used to deal with hazardous
substances such as dry ice used in pipe-freezing applications

rubber gloves these help protect against contact with used soil and
waste systems and sanitary appliances.
Gloves also provide protection against a disease known as dermatitis,
which is caused by the hands coming into contact with materials classed
as irritants.
Head protection
It is a mandatory requirement to wear a safety helmet on new-build and
major construction sites. In addition a safety helmet will need to be worn
when work is taking place at heights or above the point where you are
working that could be in a trench. A safety helmet must:

be properly adjusted to ft you

be replaced if it becomes defective or damaged.
Did you
know?
Pubber gloves help protect
agalnst a very serlous dlsease
prlmarlly spread by rats, known
as wells Dlsease (Leptosplrosls).
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Figure 1.4 General-purpose gloves

l2
1 Health and safety
Foot protection
It is important to wear adequate foot protection for the majority of
plumbing installation work carried out, owing to the weight of the
components used. Adequate foot protection (which can be in the form of a
safety shoe) usually includes:

metal toe protection

strong rubber soles and sturdy uppers.
In addition, some forms of safety footwear can provide additional
protection against electric shock.
Knee protection
Did you
know?
when worklng on many
constructlon sltes you wlll
be requlred to wear a hlgh-
vlslblllty [acket or vest to guard
agalnst slte tramc dangers.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Figure 1.5 Knee pads

Plumbing work can include a certain amount of kneeling, which can lead
to painful conditions such as Housemaids Knee. Knee protection should
therefore be considered which can be in the form of:

external fasten-on knee pads, or

knee pads built into workwear.
Protective overalls
Protective overalls, alternatively known as workwear, will need to be worn
for most plumbing activities. Protective overalls are available in many styles,
they essentially:

protect the workers clothing

assist in preventing the removal of hazardous or contaminated
substances from the work-site.
Disposable overalls are available and tend to be used for more specialist
activities such as work on drains or sewers, or working with asbestos.
l3
1 Health and safety
Ear protection
Ear protection should be worn when working in noisy areas or with
equipment that generates high levels of noise. Ear protection is usually in
the form of:

ear defenders, or

ear plugs.
The need to wear ear protection may be indicated by safety signs or through
risk assessments carried out by construction or plumbing companies.
Respiratory protection
There are many forms of respiratory protection:

simple dust mask an example of its use could be working with loft
insulation

cartridge-type respirator these can guard against a range of substances
such as high levels of dust or fumes; different disposable cartridges are
required to protect against different types of substances

full breathing apparatus usually used in specialist work in confned
spaces such as drains or sewers.
Electrical power tools
The Electricity at Work Regulations lay down the requirements for electrical
power tool safety. Here are some of the key requirements:

low-voltage (cordless) power tools tend to be preferred to their mains-
fed counterparts, as they are safer to use

on construction sites in particular, 110-volt power tools tend to be used
as an alternative to the standard 240 volts found in domestic properties
lower voltage is again safer by design

all power tools should be visually checked for signs of damage before
they are used damaged cables, plugs and casings, etc. Damaged tools
must be taken out of service until disposed of or repaired

all power tools should be subject to a Portable Appliance Test (PAT), this
is a periodic check for electrical safety by a competent trained person,
the recommended frequency of test for construction applications is
three-monthly; all tested appliances should include a test label showing
that the appliance has passed the test and the date of the next test
should be displayed

a Residual Current Device (RCD) is a type of electrical protection device
that can be used in the electrical circuit supplying the power tool in
order to provide added protection to the user

power tools, e.g. circular saws, may also be supplied with adjustable
guards. The tool must always be used with the guard frmly in place its
there to protect the user! On no circumstances must it be removed to
make the job easier.
Did you
know?
|n order to provlde a ll0-volt
power supply, a transformer
wlll be requlred to change the
voltage of the clrcult ll0-volt
supplles are colour coded yellow.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Safety tip
Pull breathlng apparatus must
only be used by operatlves who
have been fully tralned ln lts
use and appllcatlon.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Safety tip
Lar protectlon wlll normally be
requlred when uslng a large
hammer drlll, or posslbly a
clrcular saw.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

l4
1 Health and safety
Work at heights
Ladders
Falls from ladders account for a high proportion of accidents in the
construction industry. Here are some of the key points of ladder safety:
Figure 1.6 Angle of ladder from the bulldlng
Client: HED
Job No: J6757
Fig No: AS402145_107
Text: 9pt Zurich BT
Artwork By HL Studios
1 unit
75
4 units

a ladder should only be used to gain access to a work platform such as a
scaffold, or for short-term work of usually less than 30 minutes duration.
Work at heights for longer periods should be carried out using safer
access equipment such as a mobile tower scaffold

there are a number of classes of ladder Class 1 (industrial ladders)
should normally be used for construction activities

the ladder should be checked for safety and for visible signs of damage
each time it is used if in any doubt the ladder should not be used

care must be taken when transporting the ladder around site and when
erecting it

the ladder must only be used on frm, level ground.

if the ladder is to be used on or near a public footpath or road, there
should be barriers around its base

the angle of the ladder to the building should be 75, or 4 up to 1 out

the ladder should preferably be secured at the top and bottom, footing
by a co-worker is an alternative method of securing at the bottom

the top of the ladder should project 1m or approximately fve rungs
above a working platform or roof access point.
l5
1 Health and safety
Roof ladders
Roof ladders are only suitable for short-term working, e.g. limited work
on chimney stacks. Here are the key points of roof ladder safety:

the ladder should be properly manufactured and tested for safety,
home-made roof ladders are not acceptable

carry out a visual inspection of the roof ladder each time it is used,
to make sure it is in a safe condition

the supports under the ladder must rest fully on the roof when
ftted

the ladder should be the correct length for the roof

the ladder gaining access to the roof ladder must be securely fxed
at the top and be sited next to the roof ladder

the use of roof ladders usually requires two people, one to work on the roof,
the other to safely provide tools and equipment.
Step ladders
Step ladders are commonly used by plumbers; the following covers the key
points related to their use:

the step ladder should be visually checked for any signs of damage before
use

the step ladder should only be used on frm, level ground so that it may ft
squarely on the ground

the step ladder must be properly extended at all times and be of the correct
height for the job, working off the top step is not permitted as it is unsafe

step ladders are only suitable for relatively short-term working, for longer-
term working a safer alternative would be to use access equipment such
as a mobile elevated work platform (scissor lift).
Mobile tower scaffolds
Mobile tower scaffolds provide a safer solution to gaining access for plumbers
working at heights. Here are the main points associated with their use:

they should only be erected by those who have been properly trained

a tower scaffold over 2m from foor height must be ftted with toeboards
and guard rails. A guardrail must be ftted between 0.4m and 0.7m above
the working platform. The hand rail should be no more than 910mm
above the working platform

when in use, the scaffold wheels must be locked

the platform should not be moved whilst holding people or materials

the tower must be stable, there should normally be a 1:3 base to height
ratio

outriggers may be used to increase the height of the tower and its stability

towers above 9m in height should be frmly secured to the building

towers should not normally be used above 12m in height

the tower should include a purpose-designed ladder securely fxed inside
the structure to gain access to the working platform.
Did you
know?
A full chlmney scanold system
ls requlred to carry out more
long-term work actlvltles such
as the lnstallatlon of sheet lead
weatherlngs to a chlmney.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Safety tip
Harnesses
|t ls common practlce for
employers to requlre those
worklng long-term at helght to
wear a harness, anchored whllst
worklng to a polnt such as the
scanold, to protect agalnst falls.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

NVQ PL2. AW_0318. By Stephen Hibberd

Figure 1.7 Poof ladder
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1 Health and safety
Work in excavations
Work in excavations can be particularly hazardous and therefore a risk
assessment must be conducted before the work is commenced to ensure
that proper control measures are applied to safely do the work. The
following are typical measures:

an assessment of the ground material type must be undertaken to
determine the need for shoring

only properly trained plumbers must work in excavations

any work carried out should be in pairs, one plumber carrying out the
work in the trench, the other passing tools and materials

fencing must be erected around trenches over 2m in depth to prevent
persons falling into the trench

material removed from the trench should be safely stored so that it may
not fall back into the trench

barriers such as vehicle stop-blocks may need to be used where dump
trucks are being used in the vicinity of the trench, this is to prevent the
vehicle falling into it.
Work with hazardous substances
Work with hazardous substances falls under the COSHH Regulations,
requiring an assessment of the risk of using the substance to be carried
out before the work begins. Manufacturers of substances in support of the
risk assessment process are required to adequately package the product,
NVQ PL3. AW_0319. By Stephen Hibberd
Close boarding
to trench sides
Horizontal
supports
Adjustable
support
Drainage
pipe Sub-soil
Figure 1.8 Shorlng of trenches
l7
1 Health and safety
Figure 1.9 Categorles of hazardous substance
showing the dangers that the substance presents, and provide instruction
on its use. Hazardous substances tend to fall into the following categories:

toxic poisonous liquids and gases

harmful a general term that is used as a classifcation for many
hazardous substances

corrosive products that may corrode such as bleach

irritant products, such as loft insulation, that may cause irritation to
parts of the body

extremely fammable substances that may lead to fre, e.g. LPG

oxidising these are substances that remove oxygen from the
surrounding air, e.g. ABS cement for jointing plastic pipework.
Work with LPG gas heating equipment
Work with gas heating equipment can be a particularly dangerous activity as
it can lead to:

risk of fre through the ignition of combustible substances in the vicinity
of the work area. Many insurance companies, in order to provide
insurance to plumbing companies, require them to cease using LPG
gas heating equipment at least 1 hour before leaving a site, so that any
burning material is seen to be properly extinguished, and on high-risk
jobs plumbing contractors may be asked to use a permit-to-work system.
EXTREMELY
FLAMMABLE
CORROSIVE
IRRITANT OXIDISING
TOXIC HARMFUL
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1 Health and safety

Risk of gas leakage:
-
gas heating equipment must be properly assembled and checked for
leaks using soap solution
-
leaking gas, as it is heavier than air, will sink to the lowest points in a
room, with the ability to form an explosive concentration
-
storage of cylinders should preferably take place in an open-air secure
compound, all cylinder valves should be fully closed and protective
dust caps should be in place, cylinders should be kept in an upright
position.
Transportation of LPG
Transportation of LPG falls under the Packaged Goods Regulations. Specifc
measures required to be in place include:

labels on vehicles to identify hazardous LPG contents

two dry-powder fre extinguishers must be carried on the vehicle

it is preferable that the storage cabin of the vehicle is ventilated, this is
essential if large quantities are carried

if signifcant quantities are being transported the driver will need to
undertake special training in order to receive a TREMCARD, necessary
for moving signifcant quantities of LPG.
Fire safety
Plumbers need to be aware of the fre risk that may be associated with their
work. Some of the dangers are:

igniting combustible materials in the location of hot working

faults caused by electrical work.
In order for a fre to occur the following need to be present:

fuel combustible material

oxygen air supply

heat ignition source.
Remove any of these three items and fre will not take place.
Classes of fre
Fires are classed into groups according to the fuel type:

Class A fres involving solid materials, extinguished by water

Class B fres involving fammable liquids, extinguished by foam or
carbon dioxide

Class C fres involving fammable gases, extinguished by dry powder

Class D fres involving fammable metals, extinguished by dry powder.
Did you
know?
|f the draw-on rate from an LPG
cyllnder ls too hlgh, freezlng
of the equlpment can occur,
resultlng ln potentlal freeze
burns and a sltuatlon where
the control valve cannot be
turned on!
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Figure 1.10 The re trlangle

l9
Fire-fghting equipment
There are a variety of different types of fre-fghting equipment. In
undertaking plumbing work you are more likely to come across the fre
extinguisher as the main source of protection; here are some points to
its use:

an extinguisher should be kept in the immediate work area when hot
working, e.g. using LPG gas heating equipment

a fre extinguisher should only be used when it is safe to do so, personal
safety must come before attempts to contain a fre

fre extinguishers should only be used by those trained in their use

the following shows the colour coding for extinguishers for dealing with
the different types of fre.
Remember
Keeplng the workplace tldy
of combustlble materlals
or protectlng combustlble
materlals when uslng a blow
torch wlll remove a component
from the re trlangle and re
wlll not start.
2EMEMBER
3TRINGTIEDAROUNDAFINGER

Type of extinguisher Colour code Main use

water Ped wood, paper or fabrlcs
Poam Cream Petrol, oll, fats and palnts
Carbon dloxlde 8lack Llectrlcal equlpment
Dry powder 8lue Llqulds, gases, electrlcal equlpment
Figure 1.11 Plre
extlngulsher colour code
Action in the event of a fre
Your employer will normally have procedures for actions in the event of a
fre; if its a larger site then the client or main contractor will have their own
procedures. Whatever the case, you must be familiar with those procedures,
which will include:

the various fre escape routes from the building

the location of designated safe fre assembly points, which you must go
to in the event of an emergency

if you discover the fre
-
raise the alarm immediately
-
leave by the nearest exit
-
ensure that the emergency service is summoned.
Summoning the emergency services
These procedures apply to a range of different type of emergencies
including fre:
1. fnd a telephone in a safe environment, well away from the emergency
2. dial the emergency service number: 999
1 Health and safety
20
1 Health and safety
3. keep calm, and when asked by the operator, give the name of the
emergency service required, e.g. fre
4. when you get through, provide the location of the emergency frst and
then the nature of the emergency, e.g. fre in cellar; also provide details
of any specialist hazards that the emergency service may encounter,
e.g. storage of fammable liquids
5. when the call has been completed, ensure that someone is available
to meet the emergency service and to show them the location of the
incident.
First-aid arrangements
The requirements for providing frst aid are laid down in the First Aid at
Work Regulations, which require the employer to conduct a risk assessment
of frst-aid arrangements for the company, this will include establishing the
need for frst-aid kits and trained frst-aiders.
The following shows the typical contents of a frst-aid kit.
Plasters
Sterile dressings
Sterile eye pads
Triangular bandage
(sling)
Safety pins
Disposable
gloves
Crepe bandages
Scissors
Tweezers
Cotton wool
Tape
Eye bandage
Wound
dressing
Alcohol-free antiseptic wipes
Sterile pads
Figure 1.12 Plrst-ald klt
The kit should only contain items for frst aid, no other medicines must
be stored in the kit (this includes headache tablets). Where plumbers are
working in domestic properties it is normal practice for a frst-aid kit to be
provided on each company vehicle and for each plumber to receive a basic
level of frst-aid training.
2l
1 Health and safety
Typical areas for frst-aid training
A typical frst-aid course for a plumber will cover:

electric shock removing the casualty from a live supply using an
insulating material such as wood; Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR); dealing with unconsciousness (no sign of breathing)

placing the injured person in the recovery position (so long as they do
not bear signs of a damaged back), and keeping them warm until the
emergency services arrive

treatment for burns food the injury with cold clean water

dealing with broken bones prevention of movement at the site of the
injury until it is properly secured and supported

substance in the eye bathing the eye in eye-wash (clean water).
22
1 Health and safety
Short answer questions
1. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, an
employer must prepare a health and safety
policy statement when employing how many
operatives?
2. When should a risk assessment of a work
activity be carried out?
3. What type of stringent safety control system
may be required when hot working indoors
with LPG gas heating equipment?
4. Under RIDDOR, what type of injuries must be
reported to the HSE?
5. What type of device may be used as a safer
alternative to manual handling?
6. What action must be taken on fnding white
asbestos insulating material on site?
7. What type of safety equipment may be required
in order to carry out lead welding indoors for
prolonged periods of time?
8. What type of safety glasses are required when
working with a percussion drill?
9. What action should be taken if a safety helmet
is found to be cracked?
10. What is the safest type of power tool to use on
construction sites?
Multiple-choice test
1. Who is responsible for providing PPE to
plumbers?
a) Theplumber c) Theemployer
b) Thesiteagent d) Thearchitect
2. The Health and Safety at Work Act applies to
which of the following working on construction
sites?
a) Alloperatives c) Sitevisitorsonly
b) Management d) Full-timestaffonly
staffonly
3. The organisation responsible for the
enforcement of health and safety legislation is
called the:
a) Health&SafetyEnforcer
b) Health&SafetyCommission
c) Health&SafetyDirectorate
d) Health&SafetyExecutive
4. Blue asbestos material found on construction
sites must be removed by:
a) Licensedcontractors
b) Anyoperativefndingit
c) Anyoperativefndingitwhohasthe
correctPPE
d) SupervisorystaffwhohavethecorrectPPE
5. The provision of which of the following is a
requirement of the Construction (Health, Safety
and Welfare) Regulations?
a) First-aidequipment
b) Personalprotectiveequipment
c) Canteenfacilities
d) Accidentbook
6. What type of PPE is essential when lead welding
outdoors for short periods of time?
a) Fullbreathingapparatus
b) Dustmask
c) Safetyglasses
d) Weldingmask
7. What type of hand protection will provide the
highest level of protection when working on
used soil pipework?
a) Barriercream
b) Rubbergloves
c) General-purposegloves
d) Leathergloves
8. Which disease can be spread by rats via the
drainage system?
a) Hodgkinsdisease
b) Parkinsonsdisease
c) Weilsdisease
d) Smithsonsdisease
9. What is the minimum level of respiratory
protection required when removing a solid fuel
fre back boiler?
a) Noprotectionisrequired
b) Fullbreathingapparatus
c) Half-facerespirator
d) Dustmask
10. A 110-volt transformer for use on a
construction site is colour coded:
a) Blue c) Green
b) Red d) Yellow
23
1 Health and safety
11. What is the recommended interval for a
Portable Appliance Test (PAT) on a circular saw
used on a construction site?
a) 1month c) 6months
b) 3months d) 12months
12. Before working with a mains-fed power tool:
a) Itshouldbevisuallyinspectedforsignsof
damage
b) Itshouldbestrippeddownandserviced
c) Itmustonlybeusedifoperatingat440V
d) Allguardsmustberemovedsothetoolcanbe
usedproperly
13. What type of ladder should normally be used
for construction work?
a) Domesticclass c) Class2
b) Class1 d) Class3
14. The approximate angle that a ladder should be
set to a building is:
a) 45 c) 75
b) 60 d) 90
15. What is the approximate height that a ladder
should project above a working platform?
a) 500mm c) 1000mm
b) 750mm d) 1200mm
16. What item of equipment must be ftted to a
mobile tower scaffold that is 2m or more above
foor level?
a) Rails c) Shoring
b) Outriggers d) Pulleysystem
17. The COSHH regulations control the use of:
a) Personalprotectiveequipment
b) Electricityatwork
c) Firstaidatwork
d) Hazardoussubstances
18. Propane is classifed as what type of substance?
a) Toxic
b) Corrosive
c) Extremelyfammable
d) Irritant
19. What type of injury may occur when coming
into contact with an LPG cylinder where gas is
being drawn from it at too high a rate?
a) Freezeburns
b) Dermatitis
c) Brokenbones
d) Cutsthroughfyingmetal
20. The following safety sign (white symbol on a
blue background) is an example of a:

Prohibition signs
Shape: Circular
Colour: Red borders and
cross bar. Black
symbols on white
background
Meaning:

Shows what must

NOT be done
Example: No smoking
Mandatory signs
Circular
White symbol on
blue background
Shows what must
be done
Wear eye protection
Warning signs
Triangular
Yellow background with
black border and
symbol
Warns of hazard or
danger
Danger electric shock risk
Information or
safe condition signs
Square or rectangular
White symbols
on green background
Indicates or gives
information on safety
provision
First-aid facilities
a) Prohibitionsign c) Warningsign
b) Mandatorysign d) Informationsign
21. The safety sign below identifes which of the
following hazards:

Prohibition signs
Shape: Circular
Colour: Red borders and
cross bar. Black
symbols on white
background
Meaning:

Shows what must

NOT be done
Example: No smoking
Mandatory signs
Circular
White symbol on
blue background
Shows what must
be done
Wear eye protection
Warning signs
Triangular
Yellow background with
black border and
symbol
Warns of hazard or
danger
Danger electric shock risk
Information or
safe condition signs
Square or rectangular
White symbols
on green background
Indicates or gives
information on safety
provision
First-aid facilities
a) Hardhatsmustbeworn
b) Dangerelectricshock
c) Weareyeprotection
d) Nosmoking
22. Burning wood is classed as which type of fre?
a) ClassA c) ClassC
b) ClassB d) ClassD
23. What type of fre extinguisher is marked with a
cream panel?
a) Water c) Drypowder
b) Carbondioxide d) Foam
24. What is the frst item of information to provide
to the emergency service when reporting an
emergency?
a) Thelocationoftheincident
b) Thenumberofpeopleinvolved
c) Natureofanyinjuries
d) Thecallersname
25. On fnding a fre in a building a plumbers frst
action should be to:
a) Raisethealarm c) Leavethebuilding
b) Fightthefre d) Carryonworking
24
1 Health and safety
26. Which of the following should not be kept in a
frst-aid kit?
a) Steriledressings c) Eyedressing
b) Plasters d) Headachetablets
27. A frst-aider should treat a severe burn by:
a) Washingitwithcoldwater
b) Washingitwithhotwater
c) Coatingtheburnwithantisepticcream
d) Coatingtheburnwithafter-sunlotion
28. A person being electrocuted should be removed
from the live supply by means of:
a) Alengthofmetalpipe
b) Lengthofdrytimber
c) Lengthofwettimber
d) Scaffoldpole
29. The danger from mushrooming on cold
chisels is:
a) Damagetothehammerhead
b) Flyingsplinters
c) Hearingdamage
d) Respiratorydamage
30. Abrasive wheels may only be used by plumbers:
a) Whoareover18yearsofage
b) Whoareover21yearsofage
c) Whohavebeenproperlytrainedand
instructedintheiruse
d) Whoaredeemedtoberegisteredabrasive
wheelcontractors