Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Purpose

Define the minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for all Spartan Plumbing technicians to prevent injuries on the job site.

Who This Applies To

All service technicians, install technicians, and apprentices performing field work.

Required PPE by Task

Standard Job Site PPE (Every Call)

• Safety glasses — when cutting, drilling, soldering, or working overhead
• Work gloves — when handling sharp materials, chemicals, or rough surfaces
• Steel-toe or composite-toe boots — required on all job sites, every day
• Knee pads — when working on floors, in crawlspaces, or under fixtures

Drain & Sewer Work

• Nitrile gloves — protect against sewage contamination
• Eye protection — splash guard or safety glasses
• Rubber boots — when wading in standing water or sewage
• N95 mask or respirator — when working in confined spaces with sewer gases

Soldering, Brazing & Hot Work

• Safety glasses — minimum eye protection
• Leather gloves — heat-resistant when working near flames
• Fire-resistant clothing — no synthetic materials near open flame
• Fire extinguisher — within arm's reach during all hot work

Excavation & Trenching

• Hard hat — required in any trench deeper than 4 feet
• High-visibility vest — when working near roads or in active yards
• Steel-toe boots — mandatory
• Hearing protection — when operating excavation equipment

Chemical Handling

• Chemical-resistant gloves — when handling drain chemicals, flux, or solvents
• Safety glasses or face shield — mandatory when pouring or mixing chemicals
• Apron or coveralls — when working with corrosive materials

Procedure

Inspect your PPE at the start of each shift during daily vehicle inspection

Replace any damaged or worn PPE immediately — report to the office for replacement

PPE is provided by Spartan Plumbing at no cost to the employee

Store PPE properly in your truck — do not leave it loose or exposed to the elements

If a task requires PPE you do not have, STOP and get it before proceeding

Important Notes

• PPE is not optional — failure to use required PPE is a safety violation
• If you are unsure what PPE a task requires, ask your supervisor before proceeding
• Report any PPE that is damaged, missing, or does not fit properly
• Customer homes require respect — remove muddy boots, use drop cloths, but NEVER skip safety PPE to avoid looking "unprofessional"

Related SOPs

• Daily Vehicle Inspection Checklist — includes PPE check
• Hot Work Permits & Procedures — specific PPE for soldering/brazing
• Confined Space Entry Procedures — specialized PPE requirements
• Chemical Handling & Storage — chemical-specific PPE