Journeyman Plumber ExamTools, Equipment, and SafetyMedium
A plumber is using a drain cleaning machine with a rotating cable. What is the most important personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear to prevent the cable from snagging clothing or causing injury?
- ASafety glasses and work gloves
- BLoose-fitting clothing and rubber boots
- CSteel-toed boots and a hard hat
- DTight-fitting clothing and leather gloves
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Tight-fitting clothing and leather gloves
When operating a rotating cable drain cleaning machine, loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair can easily become entangled in the spinning cable, leading to severe injury. Wearing tight-fitting clothing eliminates these snag hazards, and leather gloves protect hands from the rotating cable and potential debris.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Safety glasses protect eyes, and work gloves protect hands, but this doesn't fully address the risk of entanglement with rotating parts.
- B. Loose-fitting clothing is a major entanglement hazard around rotating machinery and should be avoided at all costs.
- C. Steel-toed boots protect feet from falling objects, and a hard hat protects the head, neither of which is the primary concern with a rotating drain cable.
Drain Cleaning Machine Safety
Safety precautions for operating powered drain cleaning machines with rotating cables to prevent entanglement and injury.
- Wear tight-fitting clothing
- Use appropriate gloves (leather or heavy-duty)
- Wear eye protection
- Maintain firm grip on cable; avoid letting it kink
- Ensure proper grounding for electric machines
Memory trick: Tight clothes save lives from spinning woes.