International Institute of Care to Buildings

High pressure water is a powerful tool used throughout heavy industry to help maintain the efficiency, production, and capacity of process equipment.
Used in various arrangements, high pressure washing equipment and processes replace many of the manual cleaning methods of old.
With the use of high pressure washing processes comes the risk of exposing workers to hazards with the potential to cause serious injury or death.
In order to prevent injury, WorkSafeBC has requirements detailed in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

This manual is mainly for three groups:

• Facility owners who contract the services of yy high pressure washing contractors will find information on what they need to do to comply with the Regulation and what is required to help ensure that they provide a safe workplace to high pressure washing crews working at their site, and workers working in and around the area where power washing is being performed.
• Employers whose business includes the use of high pressure washing equipment will find information on what they need to do to comply with the Regulation and to help ensure the safe delivery of their services.
• Workers who are employed in the high pressure washing industry will find information on safe work practices and what to expect from their employers.

Contents:

• Introduction
• What is high pressure washing?
• Hazards of high pressure washing
• Risk assessment and controls
• Responsibilities
• Principles of high pressure washing
• Training
• Tools and equipment
• Safe work practices – general.
• Safe work practices – hand lancing
• Safe work practices – flex-lancing
• First aid