26 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Frozen pipes, frozen fingers: Surviving the South African winter
By
Chris Coetzee, OHSS Consulting
In South Africa, winter doesn ' t arrive with a whimper, it arrives with a bang – usually the sound of a geyser bursting in the middle of the night. For the plumbing trade, June is a month of high demand and high physical stress. While our winters are relatively mild compared to the Northern Hemisphere, regions like the Free State, Gauteng and the Cape mountains experience temperatures that drop well below freezing.
As a professional, your ability to work effectively in these conditions depends on three pillars: workplace preparation, personal safety and vehicle readiness. Working in the cold isn ' t just uncomfortable, it’ s a biological and mechanical challenge that requires a different set of OHS protocols.
Regulations, 2024, which classify Cold Stress as a specific hazard that requires a documented risk assessment.
• Risk assessments: Under the new law, if your plumbing team is working in environments where cold is a factor( such as early morning outdoor repairs or high-altitude sites), you must conduct a physical agent’ s risk assessment at least every 24 months.
• The cold threshold: The new regulations emphasise that where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate cold at the source, and temperatures are at or below the Occupational Exposure Limit( OEL) – typically cited around 10 ° C for prolonged exposure or 6 ° C for immediate action – employers must implement alternative working methods and provide specialised thermal PPE.
• Hand-arm vibration: The cold increases the risk of‘ white finger’ when using power tools. The new regulations demand better monitoring of vibration exposure during winter, as cold extremities are far more susceptible to permanent nerve damage.
Supplied by IOPSA: the cold risks of winter
Don ' t let the cold catch you off guard. Dress in layers, check your tires, and keep a sharp eye on your " buddy ".
The legal cold: Understanding the OHS Act In South Africa, plumbers must look to the Physical Agents
Personal safety: Managing Cold stress on the job Plumbing often involves getting wet. In June, wet clothes are a significant hazard. Water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than air. If you are soaked from a burst main and the wind picks up, you are at immediate risk of hypothermia.
• The early signs: Watch for the‘ Ums’( mumbles, fumbles and stumbles). If your apprentice starts slurring their speech or can ' t grip a wrench properly, they are experiencing the onset of Cold Stress.
• The layering rule: Move away from thick, heavy single jackets. Instead, use a‘ wicking’ base layer to pull sweat away, an insulating middle layer( fleece) and a waterproof outer shell.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline June 2026 Volume 32 I Number 04