Health and safety tips when working with gas
Posted on 31st May, 2016 | By Lorretta Tatham
Working with gas can be dangerous. Alongside the commonly talked about risks of carbon monoxide, there are plenty of other health and safety issues faced by plumbers and gas technicians every day. Removing these dangers is easy; all it takes is a little know-how and common sense.
Slips, trips, and falls
Like most tradesmen, gas engineers, boiler technicians, and plumbers are all at risk of slips, trips, and falls. Any equipment left lying around will be a trip hazard and access equipment always carries the risk of falls – no matter how close to the ground you may be.
Top tips and advice:
Make sure your workspace is clear of clutter at all times. Leave all your tools in an easy-to-reach location, away from your feet, and store unused equipment well away from the area you’re working from.
When it comes to your access equipment, always make sure you use the right product for the job. More often than not, a work platform will suffice. However, if you’re working from significant heights make sure you choose the right size ladder and don’t overreach. For more information on ladder health and safety, why not sign up to one of our courses? We recommend our Ladders and Steps Safety Training Course.
If you use access equipment on a regular basis, we’d also recommend getting your kit inspected regularly by a professional. At Browns Ladders, we offer a professional Ladder Inspection service.
Manual handling
Manual handling is a risk in almost all trades. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a routine part of your job; all that’s required for a manual handling injury is the incorrect handling of a heavy boiler, as you move it from place to place.
Top tips and advice:
Before picking up or moving any item, consider the following:
- Are you capable of lifting the item or is it too heavy for you?
- If you’re moving items around on a regular basis, have you been given a reasonable rest period between tasks?
- If there adequate space for you to lift safely?
It’s also important to be aware of how to lift and move items correctly. We share guidance on this and much more on our Manual Handling Safety Training Course.
Noise pollution
If you’re working on a busy site outdoors or in an industrial setting, noise can be a real issue. Over time, this can permanently damage your hearing.
Top tips and advice:
If noise is an issue at work or during a short-term project, make sure you wear the appropriate PPE. Even removing hearing protection for a short while will put your hearing at risk.
Confined spaces
When working with gas, you may well be closed into a confined space. While this is uncomfortable at the best of times, it also increases the risks of any fumes or gases like carbon monoxide.
Top tips and advice:
When working in a confined space, ventilation is important. If ventilation in the area can’t be improved, proper breathing apparatus must be worn.
If there’s a risk of gases flooding in, it’s important to establish whether the valves can be locked shut too and how to remove any noxious fumes.
For more information on any of the courses mentioned today, contact our Course Enquiries team on 01282 615517.
