Plumber Loses Eye From Jetter Incident: Dan's Winning Story

“I really feel if I can just stop one person from getting injured, my duty is done. If I could tell a young plumber one thing, it would be to stick with the trade, pay attention and don't be afraid to speak up if you think you have a safer, better way of carrying out a task. If you get that feeling that something isn't quite right or you should be doing something a different way, stop and take that extra 10 seconds, think about what you're doing because that could very well save your life. I really learnt that anything can happen in any given day.” - Dan, owner of On The Job Plumbing

Dan runs his own plumbing company in Sydney and in 2019 had a serious incident using a plumber jetter down a house connection branch with a boundary trap. The nozzle turned around inside the trap, exited and buried itself into his nose and eye. Dan suffered horrific injuries which included losing his right eye.

Dan's story is a story of resilience and success. But it also serves as a reminder to never underestimate safety when handling hazardous equipment such as water jetting systems.

It is legislated in AS 4233.1:2013 – High pressure water jetting systems that anyone operating a Class B water jetting machine shall have appropriate training delivered by an RTO based on high pressure water jetting unit of competency. It is also a requirement under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 that a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and the public. This includes the provision of any information, training, instruction, or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risk to their health and safety arising from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking.

MPAQ is proud to be offering MSMSS00019 – Operate a drain cleaning system. The “jetter course,” as we refer to it, is a nationally recognised skill set comprising of four units of competency. The skill set allows plumbers and drainers to operate a Class B jetter independently.

The course is mostly safety-based and will not teach plumbers how to unblock a drain. Participants will develop their knowledge and skills on the safety of the operator, risk assessment, and safety of surrounding property and the public. The course will ensure plumbers are operating the machine safely and within the current Australian Standards.

For more information about the Jetter course, click on the link below.

JETTER COURSE