Training Standards
Be prepared to meet our standards says WJA training chief
Businesses seeking water jetting training should be sure they have appropriate equipment and safety procedures, and a clear commitment to set high water jetting standards, says Water Jetting Association training and safety chairman Darren Hamilton.
WJA-approved training providers and instructors are expected to assess the viability of companies that request training and refuse to deliver WJA water jetting courses if they have concerns about ongoing standards.
Darren Hamilton issued the reminder after a company approached a WJA training provider and it became clear it did not have water jetting equipment or the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) needed for employees who would be attending the course.
Right standards
He said: “Quite rightly, the training provider declined to carry out the training when they realised the prospective client was not prepared in any way to carry out the work for which it wanted its personnel to be trained.
“Water jetting should only be carried out by WJA-qualified teams led by experienced and competent supervisors and managers using equipment of the right performance envelope and standard.
“Where WJA training providers and instructors are not certain that these conditions will be in place once training is carried out, they should not provide the training requested, which is what happened in this case.”
WJA training providers could, in some circumstances, provide a water jetting pump to use during training. However, it was far better for courses to be delivered using the equipment the company intended to use, to ensure it would be appropriate for the planned tasks.
Experienced supervision
Darren Hamilton said: “WJA-accredited training providers and instructors know they have a duty to assess their clients in this way.
“They play a vital role in upholding WJA standards which ensure the safety of operatives and others involved in the water jetting process. If they have any concerns about a potential client, they are expected to notify the WJA.”
The power and capabilities of modern water jetting systems, which can operate at pressures of over 2,750 bar (40,000 psi), create unique injury risks which need to be mitigated with experienced supervision as well as WJA training, he added.
WJA water jetting courses are accredited by City & Guilds.
To obtain a WJA operator’s card, delegates must attend and pass the Safety Awareness (SA) course, a one day class-based course, and at least one of four practical modules: Surface Preparation (SP), Pipe Cleaning (PC), Drain and Sewer (DS) and Hydrodemolition (HD). There is also a Pressure Washing course.
Be prepared to meet our standards says WJA training chief
The WJA also provides a new Level 2 Water Jetting Technician course, accredited by ABBE, which is the UK’s first competent water jetting course, and which qualifies those who pass it for a blue CSCS card.
Delegates must pass the Safety Awareness course and two practical modules, one of which must be Surface Preparation. They must then undergo at least 122 hours of guided workplace learning, overseen by a WJA-approved assessor, including completion of a water jetting workbook.
Find out more about WJA water jetting training. Call 0208 320 1090. Email: info@waterjetting.org.uk.