Hydroblasting comes with job hazards, but the right people handle them well.
Hydroblasting can be a high-risk job if not performed adequately. Numerous industries, such as heavy construction and manufacturing plants, use this cleaning method in time-critical situations. This article discusses the dangers of hydroblasting for employees in industrial sectors.
How Does Hydroblasting Work?
Also known as hydrojetting or high-pressure washing, hydroblasting involves using a high-pressure washer to remove undesirable materials from concrete or chemicals from steel while reducing damage to the substrate material.
This cleaning method is utilized as an effective cleaning solution due to its capacity to adapt to the requirements of any space. Pressures can exceed 40,000 PSI, making them powerful enough to cut through steel but extremely dangerous to human safety.
The Dangers of Hydroblasting
The Effects of High Pressure
High-pressure water cleaning is usually performed using jet streams with the velocity of a 45-caliber bullet or more, and does just as much damage. This is why it’s critical to use extreme caution and compliance to prevent human error from enabling the jet stream to hit the operator, other workers, or other machinery. It’s significant to never place a body part in front of the water jet because these jets of water can cause serious internal damage.
Contact with Hazardous Chemicals
Chemical exposure is a daily risk associated with high-pressure washing. This method cleans or eliminates chemical substances from machinery and storage tanks, creating an additional risk of exposure. Employees who are not properly protected through training, procedures, or personal protective equipment (PPE) can be exposed to harmful substances that might cause significant long-term injury.
Workplace Injuries
Hydroblasting can be challenging because employees are required to stand in awkward positions or enter confined spaces while lifting heavy tools. Unfortunately, many of these musculoskeletal conditions can create risks for falls, slips, and other workplace injuries.
Mechanical Hazards
Moving machine parts can cause severe injuries in the workplace. Regarding hydroblasting, it’s crucial to safeguard the power transmission parts within and around the pressure pump. Space limitations can also increase the contact risk with the moving parts of a high-pressure pump.
Overall, employees and employers have responsibilities regarding diminishing the dangers of hydroblasting. They should thoroughly comprehend regulations for working with hazardous machinery in dangerous spaces.
Contact Jet Blast Inc. Today!
Jet Blast® Industrial Services strives every day in an effort to provide our customers with the best service and equipment possible. Providing a safe and stable workplace has allowed us to keep a team of quality people, with most having a tenure of 15 – 25 years with Jet Blast®. With all that experience under one roof, we have been able to provide reliable 24-hour service since 1979. I believe this helps to set us apart from the competition.
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