Water jetting contractors advised to take winter frost precautions
The Water Jetting Association is advising its members and all users of water jetting equipment to take additional precautions to ensure they work safely during periods of cold weather this winter.
Frost and icy conditions can lead to build-ups of ice within water jetting systems that can create hazards if attempts are made to use the equipment, warns WJA Technical Manager Gordon Taylor.
Wind chill during transportation
He added: “The WJA’s codes of practice have detailed advice about guarding against these very real risks during periods of cold weather, and we would urge users of all water jetting equipment to follow it.
“Precautions that include adhering to your manufacturer’s or supplier’s operating instructions about working in cold weather and carrying out appropriate safety checks should always be followed.
“Operators of water jetting equipment that is transported to site, either on a specialist vehicle or a trailer, should also be aware that wind chill can cause hoses or other parts to ice up.
“It is vitally important that equipment operators carry out appropriate risk assessments and should not start the engine or prime mover if the pump or any part of the system is suspected of being frozen.”
Cold weather – ways to mitigate risk
Section 10 in all three WJA codes of practice – the Blue Code for high pressure and ultra-high pressure water jetting, the Red Code for water jetting in drains and sewers, and the Purple Code for using pressure washers – have detailed frost precaution guidance.
The WJA has also issued a safety alert specifically to give guidance on the safe use of water jetting equipment during periods of cold weather.
Key elements of the WJA’s guidance include:
· It is recommended to empty or ‘blow down’ of water jetting systems before they are taken to site, with this process recorded to demonstrate it has been carried out.
· Defrosting and thawing of equipment should be incorporated in risk assessments and method statements and always followed.
· Work teams should always follow instructions in the application of anti-freeze if advised by the manufacturer that it should be used.
· Formal frost protection procedures should be available for each design of water jetting equipment used.
· Operatives should be trained in frost protection annually, with sessions formally recorded, before periods of cold weather.
These precautions are designed to mitigate the risk of two key hazards related to cold weather working – the creation of ice bullets and uncontrolled hose movement.
Ice bullets ejected at high speed
As described in section 10.2.1 of the WJA Red Code of Practice, if ice has built up in the water jetting system, no attempt should be made to force it out by starting the engine or prime mover.
Ice can be violently ejected from the hose at high speeds as the water jetting pump is started. It can then travel over a significant distance, like a bullet from a gun, with the potential to cause serious personal injury.
If equipment is turned on with ice formed in a hose, the build-up of water pressure behind the ice blockage can also cause the hose to whip unexpectedly and violently.
This can result in an operative being struck by the hose or water jetting gun, or thrown to the ground, causing injuries that can be fatal.
Find out more
View: WJA Safety Alert 002 – Water Jetting in Cold Weather
View: All WJA Safety Alerts
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