07 Aug Hydroblaster Safety

Hydroblaster Safety

High-pressure water cleaning, or hydroblasting, is commonly used to remove paint, grease, scale, deposits, and other materials from equipment and surfaces. While hydroblasting can be an effective alternative to other cleaning methods, the extremely high pressures involved can cause severe or fatal injuries if the equipment is used improperly.

High-pressure water jets can cut through protective clothing and penetrate skin and underlying tissue. Injection injuries may initially appear minor but can cause extensive internal tissue damage, infection, amputation, or death. Only trained and authorized employees should operate hydroblasting equipment.

Before Starting Work

Before operating a hydroblaster:

• Review the manufacturer’s operating instructions and equipment limitations.
• Inspect the pump, hoses, fittings, couplings, lance, nozzle, guards, and controls.
• Verify that hoses, fittings, and other components are rated for the system’s maximum operating pressure.
• Remove damaged, worn, leaking, or questionable equipment from service.
• Inspect the work area for electrical hazards, slip hazards, nearby personnel, and other conditions that could affect safe operation.
• Establish barricades or an exclusion zone to keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Make sure the operator has stable footing and sufficient room to control the equipment.
• Identify the material being removed and determine whether the water, debris, coatings, or cleaning agents could create additional chemical or environmental hazards.

Personal Protective Equipment

Wear PPE appropriate for the pressure, equipment, material being removed, and hazards identified by the job assessment. Depending on the operation, this may include:

• Hard hat.
• Safety glasses or goggles with a face shield.
• Hearing protection.
• Waterproof protective clothing.
• Appropriate protective gloves.
• Safety-toe, slip-resistant protective footwear.
• Additional specialized hydroblasting PPE when required by the equipment manufacturer or hazard assessment.

Remember that PPE should never be considered adequate protection against direct contact with a high-pressure water jet.

Safe Operating Practices

Always maintain control of the lance, gun, or other discharge device.

• Never point a water jet toward yourself or another person.
• Never use your hands or body to test the pressure or determine whether a nozzle is operating.
• Never engage in horseplay with hydroblasting equipment.
• Maintain secure footing and anticipate the reaction force created when the equipment is activated.
• Keep hoses arranged to minimize trip hazards, kinking, abrasion, and contact with sharp edges.
• Protect hoses from vehicles and equipment that could crush or damage them.
• Never exceed the manufacturer’s rated operating pressure.
• Do not operate equipment with damaged hoses, fittings, couplings, controls, or safety devices.
• Maintain communication between the operator, pump operator, and other members of the crew.

Deadman Controls and Safety Devices

Deadman switches, triggers, dump controls, and other safety devices must function as designed.

Never tape, tie, wedge, bypass, or otherwise defeat a deadman control or safety device.

Releasing the control should stop or safely relieve the high-pressure discharge as designed by the manufacturer. If a control or safety device does not operate properly, stop work and remove the equipment from service until it has been repaired.

Hoses and Fittings

High-pressure hose failure can release water and debris violently or cause an uncontrolled hose to whip.

Before each use:

• Inspect hoses for cuts, abrasion, bulges, exposed reinforcement, kinks, leaks, and other deterioration.
• Inspect fittings and couplings for wear, cracks, damaged threads, deformation, or leakage.
• Verify that connections are secure.
• Protect hoses where they pass around sharp corners or abrasive surfaces.
• Never attempt to repair or tighten a pressurized hose or fitting.

Before disconnecting, adjusting, clearing, or servicing any component, shut down the equipment and completely relieve system pressure according to the manufacturer’s procedures.

Confined Spaces and Hazardous Atmospheres

Hydroblasting inside tanks, vessels, pits, and other confined spaces can introduce additional hazards. Water, cleaning agents, coatings being removed, exhaust, or the cleaning process itself may affect atmospheric conditions.

Confined-space work must follow the company’s applicable confined-space entry procedures, including atmospheric testing, ventilation, entry controls, communication, and rescue provisions when required.

Injection Injuries

Any suspected high-pressure injection injury requires immediate professional medical attention.

Do not assume the injury is minor because there is little bleeding or only a small puncture wound. Tell medical personnel that the injury resulted from a high-pressure water or fluid injection and identify any chemicals or contaminants involved, if known.

Remember

Hydroblasting equipment can produce enough force to cause catastrophic injuries in seconds. Never defeat safety controls, never direct the jet toward a person, and never work on a pressurized system. If you are not trained or are unsure of the proper procedure, stop and contact your supervisor.