HEALTH AND SAFETY 27
• The buddy system: Never work alone in sub-zero temperatures. Try the 10-minute check-in. Cold causes the brain to‘ cloud’, and a worker might not realise they are slipping into a dangerous state.
• Vehicle maintenance: Check your antifreeze levels! A frozen engine block in a plumbing bakkie is a costly mistake. Ensure your windshield washer fluid has a winter additive so it doesn ' t freeze on the glass while you’ re driving.
Site preparation: Updated GSR( 2025) The General Safety Regulations( GSR) were significantly updated in March 2025, adding new requirements for housekeeping and fire safety that are critical for winter sites.
• Housekeeping( Regulation 13H): Winter sites often accumulate ice or mud. The updated GSR requires employers to keep all walkways, stairs and passages " skid-free and free of obstructions ". For a plumber, this means clearing ice from around the work area and ensuring the " unimpeded workspace " required by law is maintained despite the weather.
• Fire precautions( Regulation 13J): With more people using portable heaters on-site in June, the risk of fire increases. The updated regulations demand reviewed emergency procedures and clear, unobstructed evacuation routes. Never use openflame heaters inside or near plumbing materials.
• Ladder safety: Never use a metal ladder that has been left outside overnight without checking the feet. Ice can build up in the rubber grips, causing the ladder to slide out as soon as you put your weight on it.
Travel: The most dangerous hour For many plumbers, the most dangerous part of June is the drive to the first job. Between 05:00 – 07:00, visibility is at its lowest, and road conditions are at their worst.
• The fog factor: Whether it ' s the thick mist of the Midlands or the smog-heavy fog of the Rand, visibility can drop to under 5m. Use your dipped headlights( never your brights, which reflect off the fog) and reduce your speed.
• Black ice on the tarmac: Be especially careful on bridges and overpasses. Because there is cold air both above and below the bridge deck, they freeze much faster than the rest of the road.
Hydration and‘ false warmth’ A common mistake in the South African trade is using coffee to‘ warm up’.
• The myth of caffeine: Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, it narrows your blood vessels and actually makes your hands and feet colder.
• The reality of hydration: You lose a massive amount of moisture through your breath in cold, dry air. Dehydration in winter is a leading cause of fatigue and accidents. Encourage your team to drink warm water or caffeine-free herbal teas throughout the day.
Conclusion: Professionalism is preparation June is the month that separates the‘ fly-by-night’ handymen from the professionals. By preparing your vehicle, your gear and your body according to the Physical Agents Regulations and the GSR, you ensure that you can provide the essential service South Africans need when their pipes fail.
Don ' t let the cold catch you off guard. Dress in layers, check your tyres and keep a sharp eye on your‘ buddy’. Safety isn ' t just about avoiding a fall, it ' s about making sure you have the physical and mental clarity to do the job right, even when the mercury drops. PA
“ Don ' t let the cold catch you off guard.”
June 2026 Volume 32 I Number 04 www. plumbingafrica. co. za