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Plumbing · United States

JHA for water pipe repair

By SiteSortedBuilt from OSHA standards and guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for water pipe repair before you start.

A JHA breaks the job into steps, lists the hazards in each step and the controls that protect the crew, and the crew signs it. The main hazards are electric shock from live wiring, disturbing asbestos, fire from hot works and mold and droppings.

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JHA example: water pipe repair

This is a complete JHA for water pipe repair, with 6 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
Burst pipe and leak repair · Plumbing · Example
Document JHA-001 · Rev 1

Job steps, hazards and controls

#Job stepHazardsRisk beforeControlsRisk after
1Shut off water at the main and isolate power anywhere water has reached
  • Electric shock from live wiring
  • Slips and trips
Critical
  • Isolate the power before any work. Do not work live. Elimination
  • Lock out and tag the disconnecting means with your own personal lock and tag so the circuit cannot be energized (29 CFR 1926.417). Engineering (guarding)
  • Test before you touch: prove dead at the point of work with a tested voltage tester. Engineering
  • Only qualified persons work on or near exposed energized parts. Administrative
  • Check for back feeds from solar, batteries and generators that can keep a circuit live after the main switch is off. Administrative
  • If energized work cannot be avoided, use an energized work permit, a safety observer and insulated tools, following NFPA 70E. Administrative
  • Wear insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing and a face shield when testing or working near live parts. PPE
  • Plan walkways and keep them clear of materials, hoses and leads. Elimination
  • Run cords and hoses overhead on hooks or stands, or along walls, not across walkways. Engineering
  • Slips and trips: see step 6 for the full controls Administrative
Medium
2Check for mould and sewage contamination in wet areas
  • Mold and droppings
  • Sewage and wastewater
Medium
  • Fix the water leak and dry the area before removing mold. Elimination
  • Seal off the area with plastic sheeting and keep occupants out. Engineering (guarding)
  • Clean up with a HEPA vacuum and wet wipes. Never dry sweep. Engineering
  • Bag moldy material on site and remove it promptly. Administrative
  • Wash hands and face before eating and at the end of each shift. Administrative
  • Wear an N95 (or better) respirator, gloves, goggles and disposable coveralls. PPE
  • Flush and drain the line before opening it, and plan the job to avoid contact. Elimination
  • Use drain cameras, jetters and long-handled tools to keep hands out. Engineering
  • Cover cuts with waterproof dressings. Never eat, drink or smoke before washing. Administrative
  • Wash hands well and clean tools and boots after the job. Administrative
  • Keep vaccinations such as tetanus and hepatitis A up to date, on medical advice. Administrative
  • Wear waterproof gloves, goggles or a face shield, and coveralls. PPE
Low
3Open up the wall or floor to reach the pipe, checking for asbestos first
  • Disturbing asbestos
  • General dust
  • Injury from power tools
Critical
  • Treat insulation, surfacing and resilient flooring in buildings built before 1981 as asbestos unless testing shows otherwise, and get the owner's asbestos survey before you start. Elimination
  • Seal off the work area and keep everyone else out. Engineering (guarding)
  • If asbestos must be disturbed, keep it wet, use hand tools not power tools, and clean up with a HEPA vacuum. Engineering
  • Follow 29 CFR 1926.1101: competent person, work class, regulated area and exposure monitoring. Administrative
  • Commercial renovation and any demolition need a NESHAP asbestos inspection first, and demolition needs written notice to the state or EPA 10 working days before work starts (40 CFR 61 Subpart M). Administrative
  • Roofing felts, cement shingles and siding, roof coatings and old panel backboards can also contain asbestos. Test them or treat them as asbestos; asbestos roofing is removed intact with hand tools by trained workers (29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(8)). Administrative
  • Stop work straight away if you find suspect asbestos. Do not touch it and tell your supervisor. Administrative
  • Wear a fit-tested NIOSH-approved respirator suited to the work class, and disposable coveralls. PPE
  • Use low-dust products, such as dust-reduced or pre-mixed compounds. Substitution
  • Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting in occupied buildings. Engineering (guarding)
  • Use tools with dust extraction and a vacuum for clean up. Engineering
  • Lightly mist the area with water to keep dust down, away from anything electrical. Engineering
  • Never dry sweep or blow dust off with compressed air. Administrative
  • Keep all guards fitted and working. Never tie back or remove a guard. Engineering
  • Clamp or secure the work piece. Do not hold it by hand. Engineering
  • Only trained, competent people use power tools, following the maker's instructions. Administrative
  • Check tools before use. Unplug or remove the battery before changing blades or bits. Administrative
  • No loose clothing, jewelry or long hair near spinning parts. Administrative
Medium
4Cut out the damaged section and fit the repair, with a hot work permit if soldering
  • Fire from hot works
  • Burns from hot surfaces
  • Cuts from sharp edges
Critical
  • Use cold work methods where you can, such as bolting, press fittings or cutting with a saw instead of a torch. Elimination
  • Move anything that can burn at least 35 feet away, or cover it with fire blankets. Engineering (guarding)
  • Use fire-resistant screens to stop sparks reaching people or gaps in walls and floors. Engineering
  • Get a hot work permit before starting. Administrative
  • Keep a charged fire extinguisher and fire blanket at the work spot. Administrative
  • Isolate heating systems and let parts cool before you touch them. Elimination
  • Fit guards or insulation on hot pipes and equipment. Engineering
  • Mark hot items with chalk or a "HOT" sign so others know. Administrative
  • Keep a first aid kit and cool running water nearby for burns. Administrative
  • Wear heat-resistant gloves and long sleeves. PPE
  • Deburr or cover sharp edges, and fit edge protectors on exposed sheet metal. Engineering
  • Use knives with retractable or self-retracting blades. Engineering
  • Cut away from your body and keep your other hand clear. Administrative
  • Put used blades in a blade bin or sharps container. Administrative
  • Use two people to handle large sheets of metal or glass. Administrative
Medium
5Turn water back on and check for leaks under pressure
  • Pressure testing
  • Hot water and steam
Medium
  • Test with water instead of air or gas where the system allows it. Never put water in refrigerant pipework, which is tested with dry nitrogen. Substitution
  • Keep people out of the test area with signs and barriers. Engineering (guarding)
  • Use a calibrated gauge and a relief valve set to protect the system. Engineering
  • Test to the pressure the system calls for and hold it for the set time. Never go over. Administrative
  • Release the pressure fully before tightening anything or fixing leaks. Administrative
  • Wear safety glasses or a face shield. PPE
  • Turn the system off and let it cool before work. Elimination
  • Isolate and lock off the heat source and valves, and release the pressure. Engineering (guarding)
  • Check the temperature, and open fittings slowly while facing away. Administrative
  • Keep a first aid kit and cool water ready for burns. Administrative
  • Wear heat-resistant gloves, long sleeves and a face shield. PPE
Low
6Dry the area, clean up and advise on make good
  • Slips and trips
  • Poor housekeeping and waste
Medium
  • Plan walkways and keep them clear of materials, hoses and leads. Elimination
  • Run cords and hoses overhead on hooks or stands, or along walls, not across walkways. Engineering
  • Fill or cover holes, and lay boards or mats on muddy access paths. Engineering
  • Clean up offcuts, packaging and spills as you go, not at the end of the day. Administrative
  • Keep work areas, stairs and access paths well lit. Administrative
  • Wear safety boots with good grip, laced up. PPE
  • Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Elimination
  • Put dumpsters and waste chutes close to the work. Engineering
  • Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative
  • Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative
  • Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative
  • Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE
Low

PPE

Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413)Work glovesSafety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)N95 respiratorHalf-face respirator (P100 cartridges)Safety goggles (ANSI Z87.1)CoverallsChemical-resistant glovesFace shield (ANSI Z87.1)Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)Welding glovesCut-resistant gloves

Plant and equipment

Hand toolsProPress toolPower drillPropane torch

Permits and plans

Hot work permit (fire watch at least 60 minutes after, NFPA 51B)

Emergency

Call 911. Add the nearest hospital, the assembly point and the first aid / cpr person for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this JHA.

Free JHA template for water pipe repair

Word (.docx) and PDF, Letter landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this JHA

Pre-start checklist for water pipe repair

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

The safe sequence of work

  1. Shut off water at the main and isolate power anywhere water has reached
  2. Check for mould and sewage contamination in wet areas
  3. Open up the wall or floor to reach the pipe, checking for asbestos first
  4. Cut out the damaged section and fit the repair, with a hot work permit if soldering
  5. Turn water back on and check for leaks under pressure
  6. Dry the area, clean up and advise on make good

Hazards to watch on water pipe repair

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 5Hot water and steamOpening hot water systems, boilers or steam lines scalds workers.
Step 2Mold and droppingsWater-damaged buildings, bird and rat droppings and dead animals hold mold and germs that cause breathing problems and infections.
Step 2Sewage and wastewaterContact with sewage spreads germs that cause stomach illness, hepatitis and skin infections.
Step 4Burns from hot surfacesTouching hot pipes, tools, asphalt, solder or freshly welded metal burns the skin.
Step 5Pressure testingA pipe, fitting or cap fails under test pressure and blows apart, hitting people nearby.
Step 4Fire from hot worksSparks and heat from welding, grinding or flame torches set fire to timber, insulation, rubbish or fuel nearby.
Almost certainLikelyPossibleUnlikelyRareHow bad it could be: First aid only to FatalityBA
Highest risk on water pipe repair: Critical before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United States 5 by 5 risk matrix (possible and fatality becomes unlikely and recordable / lost time).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

  • Will anyone work 6 feet or more above a lower level?
  • Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
  • Will anyone work on a roof?
  • Is there a skylight, fiberglass panel or other fragile roofing?
  • Will you use a scaffold or rolling tower?

Why JHAs get rejected

General contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

  • Generic steps such as "work safely" or "use PPE" with no task-specific hazards or controls.
  • No OSHA standards referenced for the hazards that have them, such as fall protection, ladders, scaffolds or silica.
  • No competent person named for fall protection, excavation, scaffolds or silica where those hazards exist.
  • Equipment listed without inspection requirements, and no training listed for the people using it.
  • Respirators listed with no respiratory protection program, medical clearance or fit test.
  • Controls rely only on PPE when engineering controls such as guardrails, wet cutting or extraction are feasible.
  • No crew sign-off, or no date and revision when the job has changed.

Questions

Do I need a JHA for water pipe repair?

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for water pipe repair before you start.

Who signs the JHA?

The supervisor or competent person who prepared it signs, and every crew member signs to show they were trained on the hazards and controls before the job starts. Many general contractors also sign to accept it.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this JHA on site during the job, and keep it with the training and inspection records for at least 1 year after the job (longer if your state plan or general contractor requires it). OSHA does not set a retention period for JHAs themselves.

What PPE is needed for water pipe repair?

Usually Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413), Work gloves, Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1), N95 respirator, Half-face respirator (P100 cartridges), Safety goggles (ANSI Z87.1), Coveralls, Chemical-resistant gloves, Face shield (ANSI Z87.1), Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), Welding gloves, Cut-resistant gloves. The site rules may add more, so check with the general contractor.

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Blank JHA template: free JHA templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United Kingdom (RAMS) · Canada (FLHA)

Sources