7/22/2019 Water Jetting Safety Tool Box Talk
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HYDRO BLASTER SAFETY
High pressure water cleaning has become more common over the
past few years, often
replacing the need for sand blasting. The uses of hydro blasters
vary from paint and
grease removal, tan cleaning and log debaring, to of heat
e!changers and cleaning ofsidewals.
"lthough hydro blasters are fairly simple to operate, they can
be dangerous if not
properly used. " pump is used to increase the water pressure to
#$,$$$ psi, with larger
units capable of %&,$$$ psi or more. This pressuri'ed water
is pumped through a fle!ible
steel braided hose and discharged through a pipe called a lance
which has an orifice at theend. The water (ets, which e!it the
orifice, act much lie a band saw, and this cutting
action is the main ha'ard. This high pressure water can cut
through boots, gloves, apronsand any other protective clothing in a
fraction of a second. )f the (ets cut into your foot or
hand, it could result in amputation or other severe in(ury* or
the cleaning solution may be
in(ected into your blood stream, which could be fatal.
)n spite of this ha'ard, hydro blasters can be operated safely
if proper procedures arefollowed. No one should operate this
e+uipment without training and proper e+uipment.
ersonal protective e+uipment is essential, including a full face
shield, hard hat, rain
suit, rubber boots with steel toes and metatarsal guards,
waterproof gloves and hearingprotection.
Dead man switches-triggers must never be taped, tied, or
otherwise altered so the
e+uipment stays in the on position. )f the lance is dropped it
will whip about wildly,
causing serious in(uries.
The lance should be a minimum of /0 long to eep the operator
from pointing it at
himself.
Horseplay could have very serious conse+uences 1 never point a
lance at other
employees.
)f possible, only clean water should be used. 2aw water may
contain small +uantities of
nitrogen, ammonia, or chlorine which could be deadly if
vapori'ed in a confined space.
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3hen laying hoses, handle them with care. "lso, chec each hose
to be sure it is
mared with the manufacturer4s symbol, a serial number, and the
ma!imum operating
pressure. ad the hose at sharp corners or suspend it where
necessary.
5ittings are particularly susceptible to thread wear and wrench
damage. 6!amine all
hoses and fittings for defects fre+uently, and replace if
worn.
7perating a hydro blaster can be done safely if these few simple
precautions are ept in
mind. Thin about it the ne!t time you do any high pressure
cleaning. )f you do not now
how to operate the e+uipment, or do not understand correct
procedures, as yoursupervisor.
8afety
2ecommendations9______________________________________________________________________
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Job 8pecific
Topics9_______________________________________________________________________________________
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2eviewed9_____________________________________________________________________________
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"ttended ;y9
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