Job Hazard Analysis: Drain line installation

A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts.

Steps, hazards and controls

1. 1. Unload and stage pipe, fittings, primer, and cement

   • Back strain from lifting bundles of 10-ft and 20-ft pipeMedium
     • Use a pipe cart or dolly to move bundles.
     • Two people carry any pipe longer than 10 ft, one at each end.
     • Lift with your legs and keep the load close to your body.
   • Pipe rolling off the stack and crushing feet or tripping workersLow
     • Stack pipe on a flat surface and block both sides with 2x4 chocks.
     • Keep stacks out of walkways and doorways.
     • Wear safety-toe boots.
   • Fire from primer and cement stored near heat or sparksMedium
     • Store cans closed, in the shade, away from heaters, torches, and grinders.
     • Keep a 10-lb ABC fire extinguisher at the work area.
     • Read the SDS for the primer and cement before use.

2. 2. Lay out the run and drill or notch framing with a right-angle drill

   • Right-angle drill kickback when a hole saw binds, causing broken wrists or armsHigh
     • Use a drill with a clutch or anti-kickback feature.
     • Always use the side handle and brace it against a stud, never your body.
     • Keep hole saws and self-feed bits sharp and check for nails before drilling.
   • Drilling into hidden live wiring, water, or gas lines in walls and floorsHigh
     • Check plans and look inside the wall or ceiling cavity before drilling.
     • In remodels, have the electrician turn off and lock out circuits in the work area.
     • Use a cordless drill or a GFCI-protected cord, and check cords for damage.
   • Wood chips and dust in eyesMedium
     • Wear safety glasses at all times; add a face shield when drilling overhead.

3. 3. Cut and deburr pipe

   • Cuts from saws, ratchet cutters, and sharp burrsMedium
     • Use a ratchet pipe cutter or wheel cutter instead of a hand saw when the pipe size allows.
     • Clamp pipe in a pipe vise or stand; never hold it on your leg.
     • Wear cut-resistant gloves when deburring.
   • Power saw contact and flying chips when using a miter saw or reciprocating sawMedium
     • Keep blade guards in place and working.
     • Keep hands at least 6 in from the blade and unplug the saw before changing blades.
     • Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.

4. 4. Prime and solvent-weld joints

   • Breathing solvent vapors in closed rooms, crawl spaces, or bathroomsMedium
     • Use low-VOC cement where the code allows.
     • Open windows and run a fan to blow vapors outside.
     • Close cans between joints and take fresh-air breaks if you feel dizzy or get a headache.
   • Primer and cement splashing into eyes or soaking skinMedium
     • Keep an eyewash bottle at the work area.
     • Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
   • Flash fire from vapors near pilot lights, heaters, or sparksHigh
     • Turn off pilot lights and heaters in the room before gluing.
     • No smoking, torches, or grinding within 25 ft while gluing.
     • Keep the fire extinguisher within reach.

5. 5. Hang and support pipe overhead from a ladder

   • Falls from a 6-ft or 8-ft fiberglass stepladderHigh
     • Use a rolling scaffold or platform ladder for long overhead runs.
     • Open the stepladder fully, lock the spreaders, and set it on level ground.
     • Never stand on the top step or top cap; keep three points of contact.
     • Inspect the ladder before use and tag out any damaged ladder.
   • Pipe or hangers falling on workers belowMedium
     • Have a helper hand up pipe and keep others out from under the work.
     • Install hangers loosely first, then tighten after the pipe is set.
     • Wear a hard hat.
   • Neck and shoulder strain from overhead workLow
     • Pre-assemble sections on the floor when possible.
     • Rotate overhead tasks and take short breaks.

6. 6. Cut into and tie in to the existing drain or cast iron stack

   • Contact with sewage and sewer gas from the open drainMedium
     • Tell occupants not to use fixtures and tape off toilets and sinks upstream.
     • Plug the open pipe with a test plug when not working on it and ventilate the area.
     • Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; wash hands before eating.
   • Heavy cast iron section dropping when cut with a snap cutter or reciprocating sawHigh
     • Install riser clamps above and below the cut before cutting.
     • Have a second worker support the section and keep feet clear.
     • Wear safety-toe boots and a face shield over safety glasses.
   • Noise from cutting cast ironMedium
     • Use a snap cutter instead of a saw when possible.
     • Wear earplugs or earmuffs while cutting.

7. 7. Test the drain system with water or air

   • Test plug blowing out under pressure and striking a workerHigh
     • Use a water test instead of an air test on plastic pipe when the inspector allows.
     • Use a regulator and gauge and never go over the test pressure required by code.
     • Never stand in front of a plug while filling or draining; release pressure before removing plugs.
   • Water spills causing slips and soaking electrical outletsMedium
     • Drain test water into a floor drain or bucket with a hose, not onto the floor.
     • Keep cords and tools off wet floors and use GFCI protection.

8. 8. Clean up the work area

   • Trips and cuts from pipe scraps, shavings, and cordsLow
     • Pick up scraps and shavings as you go and at the end of each day.
     • Coil cords and put tools away.
   • Fire from rags and empty cans with primer and cementMedium
     • Put used rags and empty cans in a closed metal container and remove them from the building.
     • Make sure all cans are closed tight before storing.