I understand that lead wiping is no longer used in plumbing. It was last used about 30 years ago. Anyone know of any class action suits or legislation banning this practice?

Hi Rosie...

Nope... no class action suits or legislation banning the practice... that I know of. We may not wipe lead on brass ferrules/lead pipe anymore, but plumbers are still working with molten lead all the time.

Why do you ask..

Knowing how to do lead wiping is a requirement for issuance of master plumbers licenses in our town. It is no longer used in the industry and it is no longer taught in trade schools. The only reason they require it in our town is to exclude people. If you can't do this lead wiping requirement, you can't get a license. The people who make up these rules are owners of plumbing businesses who have gotten the town to go along with the scheme. Lead wiping was removed as a requirement in NYC, and I heard that it was through a class action suit. The practice itself is dangerous, and the test is given in an uncontrolled, unmonitored setting by a person who is not certified to administer such a test.

Knowing how to do lead wiping is a requirement for issuance of master plumbers licenses in our town. It is no longer used in the industry and it is no longer taught in trade schools. The only reason they require it in our town is to exclude people. If you can't do this lead wiping requirement, you can't get a license. The people who make up these rules are owners of plumbing businesses who have gotten the town to go along with the scheme. Lead wiping was removed as a requirement in NYC, and I heard that it was through a class action suit. The practice itself is dangerous, and the test is given in an uncontrolled, unmonitored setting by a person who is not certified to administer such a test.

Maybe you should contact you local office of OSHA and let them know your town's licensing requirements. I am sure they will be very interested looking into this matter.

"Lead" became Four-Letter-Word long time ago, at least in my area of operation. Mostly, because Lead Wiping is dangerous, unhealthy and dirty job. Lead Wiping was absorbed by advances in technology, introduction of new material, and processes of applications. Why revive the dead ?

In Wisconsin, where I took the journeymans test, we were required to wipe a lead joint, and in Flordia we still panned our showers with sheet lead up to the late 70's. I still have my paddles, tops and wiping pads.( Haven't used then for decades) However, I can see no earthly reason to require a plumber to wipe a joint to pass a Masters Test. Good luck, Tom

It's like Morse code for a HAM license. I think they fixed that.

Maybe you should contact you local office of OSHA and let them know your town's licensing requirements. I am sure they will be very interested looking into this matter.

"Lead" became Four-Letter-Word long time ago, at least in my area of operation. Mostly, because Lead Wiping is dangerous, unhealthy and dirty job. Lead Wiping was absorbed by advances in technology, introduction of new material, and processes of applications. Why revive the dead ?

The whole reason for using Lead Wiping as a requirement for a Master Plumber license is to disqualify otherwise-qualified candidates. It allows them (the plumbing company owners, who also work for the town) to control licensing and to control competition. Since Lead Wiping is no longer taught, there is no way to learn it. The only way you can pass this test is if you're related to someone on the Plumbing Board. This is a corrupt practice that has been going on for years. It is either sanctioned by the Town, or the Town turns a blind eye to it. I feel that the only way to fight this is to show how dangerous and how useless the test is. I just can't believe that no one has been able to put an end to it. I feel that I am fighting an uphill battle on my own!

Rosie...

The TOWN should have nothing to do with plumbing licenses... should be all state run?

Even if your town is involved somehow, I would have you call the state plumbing inspector and talk to him about this... see what he thinks.

If you do, please let us know result... ok?

Thanks...

MARK

Rosie...

The TOWN should have nothing to do with plumbing licenses....should be all state run??

Even if your town is involved somehow, I would have you call the state plumbing inspector and talk to him about this...see what he thinks.

If you do, please let us know end result...ok??

Thanks...

MARK

This is New York State - Nassau County. There is no state plumbing examiner. Everything is run by local municipalities. The Towns are "in bed" with the local plumbers. That is why this has been allowed to go on, and why we are having such difficulty stopping it. I have reached out to OSHA, PESH, the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, the US EPA, the NY State Department of Health and the local Department of Health. Not one of these agencies have been able to put a stop to this practice. Unbelievable, isn't it?

Well, how about contacting local newspaper and have one of their journalist to take a look at this issue and publish it in his/her newspaper.

Perhaps, 60 minutes or 20/20, or local TV station would also be interested...

Well, how about contacting local newspaper and have one of their journalist to take a look at this issue and publish it in his/her newspaper.

Perhaps, 60 minutes or 20/20, or local TV station would also be interested....

We have tried with the local media. The media here in Nassau County is run by a family which owns the local news network (Channel 12) and the local newspaper (Newsday). They are bought and paid for. Believe me, we have tried to get this story out. Apparently the politically-connected plumbers have a great deal of clout. This is why I was trying to find a legal precedent for abolishing this test.