FEATURES 25
You can use the acronym S . L . A . M to assist you : STOP | LOOK | ASSESS | MANAGE Stop – Think through the task . In other words , engage your mind before your hands . Look – Identify the hazards for each of the job / task steps . ( At the workplace always spot the hazards ). Assess – Determine if you have the proper knowledge , training and tools to do the task . ( The effects of the hazards on people , property and the environment ). Manage – With effective controls , and advise others of the correct procedure . ( Remove or control hazards and use the proper equipment ).
Let ’ s dig a little deeper into how we go about using the SLAM process . There is a natural way for any installation to begin , proceed and conclude . You may be learning the ropes or have already mastered the art of performing any plumbing installation . Either way , you should definitely know where a pressure valve and safety valve go on a geyser installation – placing it in the incorrect position could cause a serious accident , resulting in injuries and damage , as well as repercussions on your business .
This is why before you hand over any installation , you do a check . In fact , you might even be using SLAM without knowing it .
Stop – before you hand over the installation so that you can verify the installation . Look – you check whether the installation has been done according to the SANS codes or perhaps the installation guide you have . Assess – you determine if there are any issues that need to be resolved and if you find them , then you can stop an accident before it occurs . This brings us to our last step . Manage – you now manage the issue by fixing it and using it as an opportunity to teach the individual who installed the geyser , or you congratulate them on a job well done when it ’ s done as per specification .
A pressure valve is placed onto the inlet pipe and regulates the pressure coming in – too much pressure and it will begin to drip – and this allows the system to ensure the correct pressure goes to the geyser . A safety plan is developed before a project so that all relevant legislative requirements can be met to ensure everyone ’ s safety on site . Planning after the fact would be like placing the pressure valve on the pipe before the end user ’ s tap – pointless and dangerous !
A safety valve is placed on the outlet pipe to regulate heat – overheating would allow it to open and discharge the steam into an overflow discharge pipe . Planned task observations ( PTOs ) are performed while employees are working so that a manager can determine if the safe work procedures are being followed , and if the risk assessment has clearly identified all applicable hazards and potential risks . Why ? To let off a little steam ? No , to allow for a potentially dangerous situation to be controlled before it explodes into an accident .
By now you have your thinking caps on and you have engaged your brain . Let us then answer a few frequently asked questions from plumbers just like you .
Q : Who is responsible to provide the safety file ? A : The simple answer here is the employer . For an explanation to this answer , we look at the law . The law in this case is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 , and in particular , we want to look under Section 8 : “ General duties of employers to their employees ”. ( It is to be noted that the definition of “ Employer ”
We think you get the point : production and safety go hand-in-hand – in fact , safety is part of the work you are performing every day . So why give it so much emphasis when it ’ s a process that seems so natural ?
When we need to implement change or shed light on an area of concern , we need to emphasise the current problems and try to foresee the potential outcomes . When it comes to plumbing , we know the current state of non-compliant installations and the potential this has on the industry as a whole . In fact we hear about it at almost every plumber ’ s evening and find it regularly spoken of in blogs and on podcasts . This is because it ’ s a current issue with potential future disaster . Occupational Health & Safety is shedding light on the fact that every day , on multiple sites , accidents that are avoidable are occurring at an alarming rate . These accidents are claiming the lives of thousands of employees , who ultimately leave behind loved ones and dependants .
What could be more important than preventing the potential death of an individual !? Especially since we have tried-and-tested methods that can assist each person on a daily basis to protect themselves and others from the hidden dangers lurking at every corner of a site .
© Plumbing Africa
A worker must adhere to site rules .
April 2024 Volume 30 I Number 2 www . plumbingafrica . co . za