During the construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings, a Plumber Portland OR is an essential member of the crew at the construction site. Some of the plumbing services that a plumber offers include installation of internal pipes and external fixtures such as washing machines, showers and sinks.
The plumber also connects gas lines used in cooking, cooling and heating systems. Other services rendered by a plumber include, replacement of old drainage pipes, repairing broken pipelines, fixing leaky faucets, and unclogging the toilets require the attention of a professional plumber. Before coming out in the plumbing industry as an expert plumber, you must train as an apprentice. Every Plumber Portland OR goes through apprenticeship before receiving valid license to practice as a professional.
Health risks that a plumber experiences in the plumbing industry
- Exposure to extreme noise, adverse temperatures and electrical shock.
- Proximity to combustible and flammable substances and materials.
- Direct skin contacts with biohazards such as raw sewage in septic tank outlets and sewage pipes.
- Exposure to harmful substances such as solvents, adhesives, asbestos, sulfur dioxide, lead and other toxic components.
- Infections such as histoplasmosis and psittacosis from rodent and bird droppings.
- Musculoskeletal injuries that arise from awkward working positions and lifting heavy objects related to plumbing.
- Falls, trips, and slips when working on wet surfaces.
- Burns from hot water, steam lines including hot parts of various equipment.
Safety measures when working with sewage
Plumbers who work on ground surfaces with sewage contamination are at high risk of contracting pathogenic microorganisms through inhalation. They can also obtain microbial infections through touching contaminated substances and drinking polluted water. The following precautionary tips are essential in controlling health risks:
- Wear eye protection masks, rubber boots, overalls, and gloves to avoid direct contamination.
- Disinfect all your working equipment and wash your hands with the right decontaminating reagents such as antibacterial soaps.
- You should not drink or eat food when working in an area with potential contamination.
- Avoid moving around with the same clothes you had at the plumbing site
Plumbing work is a good source of livelihood; however, the health challenges affecting plumbers are numerous. Safety measures and health precautions are the best preventive measures a plumber can take.
