Occupational Safety and Health Risks Among Texas Plumbers: A Qualitative Approach

This qualitative study examined occupational safety and health risks among 23 Texas plumbers using a phenomenological approach. Participants described routine exposure to hazards including cuts, falls, confined spaces, sewer gases, electrical risks, heat stress, and biological contamination, alongside organizational pressures that normalize unsafe shortcuts. Thematic analysis identified seven interrelated themes: barriers to personal protective equipment use, challenges in safe tool use, health impacts of unsafe exposure, challenges in training adoption, lack of policy and monitoring, absence of quality control, and lack of physical safety and insurance. Findings suggest that production pressure, inconsistent training, weak enforcement, and limited insurance coverage interact to sustain a cycle of preventable injury and illness. Practical recommendations include mandatory PPE enforcement, improved hands-on training, routine equipment inspection, reduced solo work in high-risk conditions, accessible incident reporting, and expanded insurance and return-to-work support, offering guidance for employers, trainers, and regulators seeking to reduce injury among Texas plumbers.