Safety Flash
Serious injury caused by high-pressure washer
Serious injury caused by high-pressure washer
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 18/20
- Control of WorkLine of FirePersonal Protective EquipmentPressure Systems
- Line of firePressure systems
- Hand toolsPersonal protective equipment
- Competence and trainingExclusion zonesOperational supervisionRisk assessment
- Marine industry
Summary
A supervisor suffered a thigh laceration during cleaning of a vessel thruster grating on a dock floor with a 250 bar water jet. Unexpected lance kick-back led the operator to turn and spray him. The flash highlights missing barriers, access restrictions, supervisory positioning, operator competence and pressure-rated protective equipment.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Hand tools; hand-held tools; handheld tools.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Exclusion zones; red zones; restricted access zones.
Classifications: Operational supervision.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Summary
A work team supervisor sustained a laceration to his upper right thigh caused by a high-pressure water jet
IMCA SF 18/20. Themes: control of work, line of fire, personal protective equipment, pressure systems.