Three become one – the WJA launches new single code to drive water jetting safety
The Water Jetting Association has launched a new single code of practice that marks the biggest advance in standardisation in the water jetting industry for more than 40 years.
It replaces the WJA’s three previous codes, the Blue Code for high and ultra-high pressure jetting, the Red Code for drain and sewer jetting, and the Purple Code for hot and cold pressure washers.
Given the new single code of practice’s black cover, it is expected to be known as the WJA Black Code.
By merging the three codes into one, the WJA, the trade body for the UK’s water jetting industry, has created a single standard for water jetting that is much easier to access and understand.
The new code of practice has also been fully-revised and updated so, although it has significantly fewer pages than in the three previous codes combined, it has more information than ever before.
Exciting and important milestone
The WJA Black Code has been reviewed and approved by the Health and Safety Executive, in line with the partnership approach the WJA takes with the HSE in developing its water jetting standards.
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.
“It’s an exciting and important milestone for the WJA, our members and for every organisation that has connections with the water jetting industry. Now, there will be one code for water jetting across all pressures.
“Our aim has been to create HSE-approved guidance that water jetting contractors of all types can more easily embed in their specific safe systems of work. The same guidance will also built into the instruction delivered through our City & Guilds-accredited water jetting training programme.”
Praise for painstaking code building
WJA Director Leanne Smith thanked the WJA’s Technical Manager, Gordon Taylor, and former WJA Board Member Jeff Haigh for leading the work, carried out over four months, to create the new code of practice.
She said: “Gordon and Jeff have done a brilliant job. They’ve completed a painstaking, highly technical task, making thousands of amendments, and drawing on decades of water jetting experience in the process. The results are extremely impressive.”
All three previous codes had been reviewed and updated multiple times in the past, with information shared across all three documents.
Creating a single code of practice has been a valuable opportunity to review and integrate all these changes.
Gordon Taylor said: “It’s been, very much, a forensic process, which has resulted in the most extensive ever upgrade of the codes. We’ve also revised all our illustrations and added a lot of new ones, so readers can better visualise the key points being made.
“I’m confident it will be easier for contractors, training providers and service commissioners to use the WJA’s code of practice to work to the highest standards. The WJA is the guardian of water jetting safety, and that will be the primary purpose of the new Black Code.”
Available at worksites via the WJA App
Connections between different pressures and types of water jetting have been made clearer than ever.
Jeff Haigh said: “The new code of practice is designed to help contractors develop services that prioritise both safety and effectiveness. By following its guidance, they can ensure their services meet industry standards, while minimising risks and maximise value for clients.
“Consulting one code rather than three is going to be so much easier. I can see the WJA Black Code being used much more as a practical operational document, especially as it’s available on every worksite at a touch of a button via the WJA App.”
The Black Code retains key sections on topics that include water jetting teams – organisation and duties, personal protective equipment (PPE), water jetting units, hose assemblies – inspection and testing, frost precautions, and safe use of equipment.
Underpinning WJA water jetting training
New sections added include an introduction to the WJA’s City & Guilds-accredited training programme and ABBE-accredited Level 2 vocational qualification. There is also extra advice on water jetting pressures and personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Black Code also includes, for the first time, publication of a page-by-page version of the WJA’s water jetting injury treatment algorithm.
It provides advice, created for the WJA by medical experts, on the best practice response to water jetting injuries from worksite first aid through to post-hospital rehabilitation.
The WJA Black Code will continue to underpin WJA water jetting training. Every operative awarded an operational jetting card will be given access to the new single code of practice via the WJA App.