WJA programme offered to boost farm safety.
THE Water Jetting Association is offering UK potato growers free water jetting training to ensure they and their operatives have the skills needed to work safely.
Growers use commercial pressure washing equipment to wash down vehicles and clean or decontaminate facilities but most operatives do not undergo training before using the powerful equipment.
Commercial pressure washing equipment with operating pressures of up to 275 bar (4,000 psi) can be bought over the counter or online and are widely used in the UK. Many incorporate the use of hot water or steam and powerful chemical cleaning agents.
These water jetting systems need to be used with great care. Water jets at just 7 bar of pressure (100 psi) can pierce the skin. Water jets under pressures up to 275 bar can cause extreme injuries that can be fatal.
In addition, biohazardous materials associated with farms can be taken into the body, greatly increasing the risk of serious infection.
The training offer coincides with the WJA’s forthcoming launch of a new code of practice for pressure washing, known as the Purple Code.
The training programme was set up in 2023 memory of David Kennedy, the long-serving WJA director, who died in October 2022. It provides the full range of WJA training courses accredited by City & Guilds
WJA Training and Safety Chairman Steve Williams said: “Pressure washing, in particular, is a water jetting technique commonly used by farmers. However, our training records indicate that there is not a significant take up of our pressure washing training within the farming community. We want to do something to begin to change that.”
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Key learning points covered include:
• Introduction to water jetting
• WJA codes of practice, including the new Purple Pressure Washing Code of Practice
• Water jetting systems and safety devices
• Types of water jetting pumps and nozzles
• Health, safety, and PPE
• First aid – through learning about the WJA water jetting injury treatment algorithm
Farm workers can also attend WJA Safety Awareness, a one-day class-based course that provides a general grounding on water jetting systems and their safe use.
Steve said: “Training is central to improving health and safety. Farmers can significantly reduce risks associated with pressure washing, or other forms of water jetting.”
Growers interested in the course can click here for more information or call 020 8320 1090.
