Organisations that use high pressure water jetting within their production or maintenance process can now ensure their operatives demonstrate competence.
The Water Jetting Association (WJA) has launched a new Competent Water Jetting Diploma that gives employers and clients greater assurance that services are being delivered safely and effectively.
The WJA, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020, is the UK’s trade association for the water jetting industry and the country’s largest provider of water jetting training.
Water jetting is used in an increasing number of industrial processes for cleaning, surface preparation, material cutting and hydrodemolition.
Water pressures can reach 2,700 bar or 40,000 pounds per square inch (psi). This makes implementing safe systems of work that protect operatives and other people is vitally important.
John Jones, Vice-President of the WJA and Chairman of its Training and Safety Committee, said: “The WJA’s training courses provide a strong foundation for developing water jetting skills.
“Our new level 2 diploma builds on this by providing proof of competency in key attributes, knowledge and skills, through an assessment process that will last around a year, longer if necessary.”
The WJA’s Codes of Practice already require members to demonstrate competence. At least half the members of any water jetting team must be competent personnel.
The competent water jetting diploma, which maps directly to an NVQ Level 2 Construction Skills qualification, enshrines this concept in the WJA’s training and skills programme for the first time.
Operatives will first have to take and pass the WJA Safety Awareness course (one-day) plus the Surface Preparation practical module (one day) and one other practical module. All are accredited by City & Guilds.
They then enter a process of work-based assessment. This will include recording all water jetting activity in a workbook and multiple worksite visits by a WJA-accredited assessor.
Successful operatives receive a WJA competency card and must follow the WJA procedure of retaking the Safety Awareness course every three years to refresh knowledge and understanding.
John Jones said: “A competent water jetting operative is at least 50 per cent more productive than one who is not. That is money saved and more money made for his or her employer.
“Competent operatives also deliver better service, so customers are happier. Proof of competency also mitigates regulatory risks, whether financial or reputational.”
The WJA has also introduced a Management and Leadership Course for those who have oversite responsibility for water jetting, for example commissioning water jetting services.
Accredited by City & Guilds, content includes legislation and regulation for water jetting, hazard awareness, risk management, water jetting methodologies and WJA Codes of Practice.
To pass, management delegates will have to complete an end-of-course test and submit a written assessment to the WJA-approved instructor within 30 days of attendance.
The WJA has also strengthened its advice on emergency first aid. It has issued new Water Jetting Injury Management Guidelines based on research commissioned from a team of leading NHS emergency physicians.
The research, published in the European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, found serious injuries are often overlooked because internal damage caused by water jets piercing skin is hidden from view.
The guidelines are supported by an algorithm that details best practice actions at each step of medical response to injury, from giving first aid to ongoing hospital care.
Dr Sancho Rodriguez-Villar, of Kings College Hospital, London, who led the research, said: “Without early and correct intervention, the outcome for those injured is often catastrophic, including death, loss of limbs and long-term disability. We strongly advise all parties involved to observe the WJA’s updated guidelines.”
WJA-approved training providers and instructors deliver water jetting courses in many countries across the world. The WJA also welcomes international members.
