26
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Staying safe when the sun goes down
By
Chris Coetzee, OHSS Consulting
It is two oclock in the morning in October. You are fast asleep in your warm bed, but your phone starts buzzing on the bedside table. A main burst pipe in a bad neighbourhood needs urgent fixing, or a basement is flooding rapidly. You put on your overalls, grab your keys and head out into the quiet streets.
Emergency call outs are where South African plumbers make good money, but they are also the most dangerous jobs you will ever take.
When you work in the dark, the dangers double. You are dealing with tiredness, poor lighting, hidden trip hazards and, worst of all, criminals who target service vehicles. Under South African safety laws, your employer must assess night risks, but at two o ' clock in the morning, your own awareness is what keeps you alive.
Here is how you handle late night emergency calls, protect your vehicle, and make sure you return home safely to your family.
Street smart security: Watching your back A branded plumbing bakkie loaded with expensive tools, copper pipes and drain machines is a big target for criminals, especially late at night. Hijackings and theft are real dangers on our roads, and you must treat every night call with extra caution.
Before you drive out, know exactly where you are going. Map your route through main, well-lit roads rather than taking dark shortcuts through unknown areas.
When you arrive at the customer ' s property, do not just jump out of the bakkie. Stop, leave the engine running for a moment, and look around. Check for people loitering in the shadows, unlit alleys or open gates.
Always reverse your bakkie into the driveway or parking spot. Parking nose out means if something goes wrong, you can drive straight away without wasting time reversing out of a trap. Keep your tools locked inside the back until you are ready to use them, and never leave your vehicle unlocked while walking back and forth to the job.
The power of light: Fighting the shadows Working in the dark is a quick way to get injured. Slipping on wet tiles, tripping over loose garden hoses, or stepping into open drain pits happens because you cannot see where you are putting your feet.
Do not rely on your mobile phone torch. You need both hands free to handle your tools safely. Every plumber responding to night calls must have a strong LED headlamp attached to their hard hat or head, plus a powerful rechargeable floodlight in the bakkie.
Before you start unbolting pipes or climbing down into a dark yard, set up your lights first. Illuminate your entire work area, the path to your bakkie and any hazards around you. Good lighting does two jobs, it keeps you from tripping, and it deters anyone who might be watching you from the dark.
Beating fatigue: The silent hazard Tiredness slows down your brain. When you are operating heavy machines or working near electricity at two oclock in the morning after working a full day shift, your reaction time drops significantly. Under South African workplace safety regulations, fatigue is recognised as a major physical hazard. Driving or using power tools while exhausted is just as dangerous as working under the influence of alcohol.
If you are woken up for a call and feel completely dazed, take five minutes to wake up properly before turning the ignition key. Drink some water, wash your face, and ensure your mind is clear.
While working, take extra time to double check your steps. Check electrical connections twice, test water shut off valves carefully, and never rush a job just because you want to get back to bed. Rushing in the dark leads to serious injuries and damaged property.
The buddy system: Never fight the night alone Going into an unfamiliar, high-risk neighbourhood alone at night is an unnecessary danger.
If a night call is in a high crime area, or if the job involves deep trenching, heavy geyser lifting, or live power risks, the buddy system is essential. Two workers can look out for each other, one holds the light and watches the surroundings while the other handles the repair.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline October 2026 Volume 32 I Number 08