PPE, or Personal Protective Equipment, is highly significant for plumbers to perform various professional activities. To include the right tools in the kit, plumbers should know what vital equipment must be kept in stock.
PPE safety equipment ensures protection for plumbers from different hazards. Having the right equipment in the toolkit is of paramount importance. This ensures safety along with offering comfort during work. This also helps to prevent injuries. PPE equipment helps plumbers to comply with the legal standards as well.
Wondering what to include in your toolkit? This blog lists out the top PPE essentials that plumbers must stock.
Top PPE Equipment for Plumbers
PPE gear is important for plumbers during work. Here are some of the top PPE essentials that are essential in plumbing.
1. Safety Glasses
While engaging in any plumbing work, a plumber must wear safety glasses. This PPE equipment offers protection to the eyes from chemical splashes or debris. Therefore, your eyes will not get infected or damaged.
A safety goggle must be scratch-proof. Also, your safety glasses must protect from fog and UV rays.
2. Gloves
Plumbers must wear safety gloves while handling tough items. While tackling a hot pipe, heat-insulated gloves must be used. Rubber gloves are significant when handling chemically infused substances.
The main feature to check while buying this PPE safety equipment is its cut-resistant ability. This helps to handle different objects, along with carrying out various plumbing works.
3. Ear Protectors
A plumber can be exposed to deafening noise while conducting various routine tasks. This can be from any power tool or from any worksite noise. Hence, earplugs or earmuffs are to be considered so that your ears can be saved from any sort of damage.
While buying any ear protector, check its noise-cancellation feature. This lowers the distracting background noise so that plumbers can concentrate on their work.
4. Knee Pads
Knee pads must be stocked by plumbers because this equipment helps in avoiding static stress damage. Do you work in a low-clearance space? If yes, this PPE safety equipment is important for you.
Static stress is responsible for causing fatal damage to knee joints. This shows the vitality of knee pads. The major factors to check before buying this gear are an adjustable strap, breathable materials, and protection level for various surfaces.
5. Coveralls
Protective clothing must be in the stock of a plumber because it lowers the risk of contaminant transference. This is mainly experienced while doing any filthy work. Thick materials are used to prepare coveralls so that this PPE safety equipment can offer protection to the skin from harmful splashes.
Your protective clothing must be resistant to flames, chemicals, and tears. And plumbers must feel comfortable while wearing such clothes.
6. Steel-Toed Boots
This PPE equipment must be in every plumber’s stock. A metal cap is present at the front of the steel-toed boots that offers adequate protection to your feet from crushing injuries.
Slips and falls are common for plumbers. These boots can provide the necessary protection. Plumbers often consider disposable shoe protectors so that their shoes can be protected from dirt. The considerable features before buying steel-toed boots are non-conductive, waterproof, anti-slip, etc.
7. Respirators
Plumbers working in drains and sewerage systems must deal with dangerous chemicals. There is a high chance of getting affected by respiratory diseases (mesothelioma, silicosis, asbestosis, etc.) by inhaling fumes or gases. Hence, they must wear respirators.
Whether you wear an N95 mask or a half-face respirator, the common feature to acknowledge is its air purification. This PPE safety equipment protects plumbers from noxious particulates so that no damage is done to the respiratory system.
8. Hard Hats
A plumber must ensure head safety while carrying out any activity. Hard hats must be worn while working on a construction site. This protects your head from pressurized projectiles, falling debris, etc.
While buying a hard hat, you must ensure that it fits well on your head. Furthermore, the equipment must possess proper ventilation.
Here is a comparative evaluation of different PPE gears:
| PPE Equipment | Applied to | When to Replace |
| Safety glasses | Chemical handling and drilling | After any crack, otherwise change within 1-3 years |
| Gloves | Sewer work and pipe repairing | After each use in the case of disposable gloves, and after any wear or damage sign for the reusable ones |
| Earplugs | Power tool use | Every 6-8 months |
| Knee pads | Pipe installation | Based on wear and tear |
| Coveralls | Sewer lines | If there is visible damage |
| Steel-toed boots | Hazardous workplaces | 6 months-1 year |
| Respirators | Moldy spaces | Monthly filter change |
| Hard hats | Construction works | 3-5 years |
Table 1: PPE Equipment and Its Applications
What Legal Standard is to Be Followed While Buying PPE Equipment?
According to the PPE Standard 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I of the OSHA, it is the duty of an employer to evaluate hazards in a working area while identifying the right PPE. This must be provided for free to the employees. This helps plumbers to understand what PPE essentials are to be kept in stock.
PPE Gear Maintenance
Along with stocking PPE equipment, a plumber must know about the maintenance procedure. This increases the lifespan of a kit. Well, maintenance varies from one item to another.
| PPE Item | Maintenance Process |
| Safety glasses | Cleaning with lens-safe solution and microfiber clothes |
| Gloves | Daily damage inspection and cleaning to remove grime |
| Earplugs | Cleaning with a mild soap and warm water |
| Knee pads | Cleaning with a damp cloth |
| Coveralls | Washing with a mild detergent and cleaning stains with baking soda |
| Steel-toed boots | Cleaning with a brush |
| Respirators | Cleaning with mild detergent and warm water |
| Hard hats | Cleaning with a mild soap and warm water |
Table 2: PPE Equipment and Its Maintenance Process
Storing PPE Kits: Top Tips
If not disposable, you have to be mindful of the right storage to ensure their longevity. Here are the main tips:
- Store PPE safety equipment in a clean and dry place.
- Keep them away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Ensure that the gears are not exposed to any contaminant.
- Throw away disposable gloves or disposable shoe protectors after using them.
Wrapping Up
PPE protects plumbers from respiratory diseases and workplace injuries. Some of the common items are safety glasses, gloves, knee pads, etc. Armed with PPE equipment, plumbers can now take on any dire challenge and solve all plumbing problems without further ado!
Ensuring Safety During Work
Plumbers need to wear the right PPE during work. They must possess a range of items with varied use cases. Keep adequate PPE in stock to ensure safety during work.
