How Debris Caps Reduce Liability 12/2014
Any company that has operated for some time and has employees knows that running a business comes with a lot of liabilities and insurance costs. Utility companies and city governments in charge of maintaining the local gas and water supply know that maintenance is not only time consuming and expensive, but can actually put the health and safety of employees at risk. Utility workers that need to maintain and access gas and water pipes and valves put their safety at risk on a daily basis. Whether they are simply doing daily maintenance or if they are quickly working in the event of an emergency, accessing pipes and valves often means needing to climb down slippery ladders in dark and confined quarters. They may be taking their time or working very quickly if there is a gas leak or a break in the water main. No matter what, the job of a utility worker is very important but also poses a number of health and safety risks. All of these risks are not just concerning for the worker themselves, but for the employer as well. When a worker is injured on the job, the employer will likely be responsible for paying for medical costs and various other expenses related to the injury. When an employer has employees putting themselves at risk often, it means they have to carry quite a bit of liability insurance to protect themselves and their employees. Debris caps with lockout mechanisms help reduce liability, insurance and maintenance costs which is beneficial for everyone involved.
Debris caps help drastically reduce the amount of dirt and debris that enters valve risers and pipes. When dirt and debris accumulation is reduced, it means the amount of time a worker has to spend cleaning and maintaining pipes and valves is reduced. Less time maintaining and easier access in the event of an emergency reduces the risk that utility workers face. Additionally, the lockout option helps keep companies OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliant. When companies remain OSHA compliant, it will be lower costs for liability and insurance and will reassure their employees that the company they work for has done everything to protect their employees. Additionally, when dirt and debris accumulates and settles, if left for some time, it will cause corrosion in the pipes which will likely result in pipes and valves needing to be replaced. This is an unnecessary expense that can and should be avoided with the use of debris caps with lockout mechanisms. For all of these reasons, debris caps with lockout mechanisms will help reduce liability, insurance and maintenance costs by protecting utility workers, the companies they work for, and by keeping pipes and valves in top condition.