A new unified code of practice has been launched to promote the safety of all forms of water jetting.
The Water Jetting Association (WJA), which has developed the code, says it marks the ‘biggest step forward in standardisation’ in the industry in decades.
The aim is to help minimise all risks associated with water jetting, including fluid injection injuries that can cause serious harm and even fatalities.
The WJA Black Code, as it is being called, sets safety standards for all types of water jetting including pressure washing, sewer jetting, industrial cleaning, surface preparation, and hydrodemolition. It brings together standards previously defined in three WJA codes of practice.
WJA chairman Lee O’Callaghan said, “Our new single code of practice represents the biggest step forward in defined water jetting standards since the WJA introduced its first code in 1982. ”
The Health and Safety Executive has advised on the development of the new code of practice, and will refer to it as industry best practice when carrying out investigations into possible safety lapses.
Lee O’Callaghan added, “In its digital format, via the WJA App, the new WJA Black Code is easier to search than ever before, so water jetting teams can rapidly find the guidance they need. We hope these significant ease-of-use advances mean the WJA Black Code will come to be used as a daily reference guide on worksites across the UK. We hope it will lead to many more companies, delivering all types of water jetting, using it create their safe systems of work and their risk assessments and method statements.”
