Pressure washer water is so powerful it can cut through boots, gloves, aprons or any other protective clothing. If you end up cutting part of your body with the jets, it could result in serious injury. AJET Services wants to ensure that if you are using a pressure washer, you are following all the these necessary pressure washer safety tips to make sure everyone on your team, including yourself is safe on each job. See below the proper pressure washer safety procedures and tips.

Coveralls and a heavy duty raincoat should be worn to keep technicians dry and to be a barrier in case there is flying debris from pressure washing.

Safety goggles should ALWAYS be worn to protect the eyes from flying debris.

Heavy duty, waterproof gloves should be worn.

Rubber boots with steel toes and metatarsal guards are recommended to protect your feet from flying debris and from the high pressure (hot) water. 

Hard hats are necessary where falling objects may be near. 

Hearing protection (ear plugs or noise cancelling ear muffs) is recommended to be used to prevent the loud noises of the pressure washing to affect your ears.

A safety harness is necessary when you are in an elevated position. 

BE CAUTIOUS HAZARDOUS ITEMS:

Avoid exposing eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands and any abrasions to the waste water or other infectious materials during cleaning operations. 

Always wash hands, arms and other parts of the body, with hot, soapy water when dealing with waste water or other infectious materials. If necessary, flush mucous membranes with water.

BE CAUTIOUS OF GASOLINE:

Refuel in a well ventilated area with the engine stopped (in a wide open space is recommended). 

Do not smoke or allow flames in the area where the engine is refueled or where gasoline is stored. 

Do not overfill the fuel tank.

After refueling, make sure the tank cap is closed securely.

BE CAUTIOUS OF CARBON MONOXIDE:

Carbon monoxide exhaust and gasoline fumes from your equipment can create a hazardous atmosphere in closed areas (non-ventilated areas). Their hazardous atmospheres can cause death or severe injury. 

BE CAUTIOUS OF HOT WATER:

The heated water from pressure washing cause severe burns and injuries. Extreme precautions and the correct attire should be followed to prevent burns. 

PRESSURE WASHER TRAILER SAFETY:

Always make sure to re tighten and check all fasteners and lug nuts on a regular basis. Trailers cause a lot of movement which can cause fasteners can come loose. 

OTHER PRECAUTIONS:

Deadman switches/triggers should NEVER be altered so the equipment stays “on.” If the lance is dropped it will whip around aggressively, causing serious injuries.

The lance should be a minimum of 36″ long to ensure the operator isn’t able to point it at himself/herself.

NEVER point a lance at other employees.

Examine all hoses and fittings for defects, and replace if worn.

Always stop unit if it starts to leak. 

Only use manufacturer’s recommended chemicals 

Only use sediment free water. 

Never start the unit with the gun engaged. Always make sure it is properly connected and held before starting it

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIFFERENT PARTIES:

Management: 

Must provide the proper equipment and procedures.

Must provide pressure washer safety tips & training for all operators.

Must perform periodic inspections and audits.

Supervisors:

Must oversee all operations involving the use of pressure washer. 

Must ensure equipment is safe prior to use.

Must allow only qualified employees to operate the equipment.

Must ensure areas are safe for passers by.

Contractors:

Must ensure all equipment meets the requirements of this program.

Must provide contractor employees with certification training.

Must maintain records of maintenance and training.

Must provide safety controls at all work sites.

PROPER PROCEDURES:

Any incident must be immediately reported to the responsible supervisor and an investigation must be conducted.

A cleaning crew must have at least two operators. Each crew member needs to be able to see the other crew member at all times. 

Operators should not operate equipment for more than 8 consecutive hours in any 16 hour period. The team members should rotate duties to minimize fatigue to the operator holding the tools.

The equipment operator nearest the high-pressure nozzle must always have access to reduce the pressure or interrupt the flow to the nozzle.

When the hose drop exceeds 10 feet, the hose needs to be securely tied off to a rigid support with a fiber rope to limit the pull due to hose weight. Bend radius limits must be maintained.

At least one control valve or switch must control each high-pressure tool. An employee must operate only one high-pressure lance, mole or shotgun at a time.

At least one control valve or switch must control each high-pressure tool. An employee should operate only one high-pressure lance, mole or shotgun at a time.

The area around the job, pump and hoses must be blocked off at a minimum of 15 feet. There must also be signs around the perimeter stating, “DANGER – HIGH-PRESSURE WATER CLEANING.” Barricades must give an effective warning and must be highly visible.

High-pressure cleaning hose must be positioned and handled to minimize bends and turns (these can result to hose failure).

High-pressure hose connections must have safety cables or chains at each joint.

High-pressure water cleaning equipment must be designed and maintained to achieve a minimum safety factor of 3:1 against maximum allowable working pressure.

Hose data must be recorded and retained in the project’s central files.

The supervisor responsible for the job must fill out the High-Pressure Water Cleaning Equipment Checklist form before starting each job.

The pressure must be removed from the system before tightening or loosening fittings.

When the hose is pressurized, personnel should not handle the hose within 1 foot of the hose-to-hose connections.

Visit the rest of our site to view more pressure washing tips and tutorials.

If you currently live in Utah and are needing pressure washing services, contact our sister company, AJET Services (801-330-0398 or contact@ajetservices.com).