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FEATURE
Risks in maintenance plumbing –
prevention better than cure
Tight margins and lack of business skills may be the biggest
risks for maintenance plumbers, but there are other risks, such
as health and safety, correct tooling, as well as comebacks.
By Kerry Hayes, Mike Simpson, and Shanna Jacobsen
Enter the plumber, who is ultimately responsible for
the installation, care, and repair of a vital aspect of
everyone’s lives, and each day has to manage their
own risks, both from a business operation and health
perspective.
Maintenance is something customers do not always think
about. A call placed to the plumber is most often a delayed
response to a leaking tap or blocked shower drain, by
which time the problems may have multiplied — along
with the time, resources, and cost to repair it. But even the
A critical risk factor for the industry is low margins
caused by non-compliant and unqualified competition.
While some bigger players may be able to maintain
sufficient margins to adequately deal with issues such as
health and safety requirements, for example, comebacks
and adequate day-to-day operating efficiencies for
small operators are simply too cash-draining to properly
mitigate risks.
Protective equipment, such as
gloves, boots, eye protection,
and even heavy-duty overalls,
are usually an afterthought,
disregarding the implications.
most basic of maintenance plumbing jobs is regarded as a
grudge purchase.
March 2018 Volume 24 I Number 1
www.plumbingafrica.co.za