Safe Use of Plumbing Snakes
A safety talk covering recoil prevention, contamination hazards, and proper snake feeding technique.
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Key Hazards
- Recoil from sudden resistance
- Contamination from drain waste
- Hand injuries from rotating cables
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Safe use of plumbing snakes is important for plumbers, maintenance workers, and custodians. Snakes can recoil rapidly when hitting blockages.
Workers should feed the cable slowly, keeping hands away from rotating sections to avoid injuries.
Different snake heads are designed for specific blockages—choosing the right type improves efficiency and reduces cable twisting.
Wearing gloves and washing hands afterward helps prevent contamination from wastewater.
Safety Reminders
- Feed the snake slowly.
- Keep hands away from moving cable.
- Wear gloves for hygiene.
- Choose the right snake head.
Ask the Crew
- Is today’s blockage likely hair, grease, or roots?
- Do we need a powered snake instead of manual?