HEALTH AND SAFETY
19
The duchess of plumbing
By
Chris Coetzee, OHSS Consultant
In South Africa the month of August is celebrated as ' Women ' s Month ', this is to commemorate the historic march to the Union Buildings which took place on August the 9th, 1956. This march was led by the Federation of South African Women( FEDSAW) and was a turning point in the struggle for freedom and the recognition of women ' s roles in society.
Lorraine Mooi, owner of The Plumbing Duchess, President and Co-founder of South Africa Women in Plumbing at South African Women in Plumbing and Trades-Winner of the 2023 IDEAL Propeller Entrepreneur Award is a member of Three SABS technical Committees.
Being a Woman in Plumbing – Although Mooi is a‘ woman’ in plumbing she stated:“ I hadn ' t thought much about the gender aspect initially, as my entry into plumbing was through my mother ' s established system.” Then in true Mooi fashion, she emphasised focusing on the task at hand regardless of gender.
Safety and External Perceptions- Mooi highlighted that feeling unsafe is rare, but she always ensures someone knows her location. A safety and security tip we can all take to heart. Mooi emphasized listening to her gut feeling in potentially unsafe situations and noted a difference in feeling more vulnerable in Gauteng compared to the Eastern Cape. She also observed that clients often perceive differences in their service compared to male plumbers, particularly regarding cleanliness by a female plumber who always goes the extra mile to keep it neat and tidy. perception rather than an internal one. The focus should not be on the gender of the person in the trade, but rather the impact that person has on the industry.
Lorraine Mooi – the duchess of plumbing.
External Factors and Driving Force – And what were the external driving forces that enable Mooi to meet the demands of a professional plumber?
Mooi mentioned that trades are often unfairly viewed as professions for those mentally incapable of traditional professional roles, which she finds fascinating. According to Mooi there is a societal perception of tradespeople, stating that:“ They are sometimes looked down upon despite providing essential services.” Mooi highlighted the irony that people trust tradespeople with critical tasks like plumbing and electrical work yet may hold a dismissive view of their professions.
All images supplied by Chris Coetzee
Plumbing as a Profession – The focus of " women in plumbing " seems to be an external
She emphasised that professionalism extends beyond just completing a job, encompassing presentation, client engagement, and building trust.
Continued on page 22
August 2025 Volume 31 I Number 06 www. plumbingafrica. co. za