WJA July board meeting – key decisions on training and codes of practice updates

New training courses, revisions to WJA codes of practice and a new membership structure were just some of the important topics discussed and decided upon by members of the WJA Board in July.

The 12-member board had plenty of business to discuss when it met on 17th July, including receiving an update on planning for WJA Trade Show 2025, being held on 11th September at StoneX Stadium, London.

The board was informed there was excellent take-up of stands, with both external display areas, with 10 exhibitor spaces now fully booked. While work continued to attract visitors to the free exhibition.

WJA Chairman Lee O’Callaghan said: “Our new board, which has been in place for less that a year, is already proving its worth. We’re moving forward with purpose on initiatives that are significantly benefiting our members and our industry.”

Following a discussion led by the board’s coaching/examining members, Stacey Bowling and Steven McIver, it was decided new training courses currently being developed will be launched at the beginning of 2026.

The courses, which include a Drain, Sewer & Robotics course, are designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of operatives working in the water jetting industry, and keep courses relevant to latest working practices.

A new WJA first aid training course is also being finalised.

The board agreed a project, led by WJA Technical Manager Gordon Taylor, to update all three WJA Codes of Practice has been completed.

The revised codes – the Blue Code for high and UHP water jetting, the Red Code for drain and sewer jetting, and the Purple Code for pressure washers – can now be accessed on the WJA app. Printed versions will be available in mid-August.

The WJA Board has been reviewing a new membership and pricing structure. It was decided that the outcome of that process will be announced in December.

Meanwhile a growing number of businesses and organisations continue to join the WJA, with a total of 19 new members being approved in the first six months of 2025. The board heard that the number of users of the WJA App is also increasing month-on-month.

The Board was given an update on a new video being produced to highlight the hazards of water jetting injuries, measures to prevent them and how to treat them.

The video will encourage operatives to follow WJA Codes of Practice to minimise jetting risks, and to follow the WJA’s Water Jetting Injury Treatment Algorithm if an incident occurs.