All Member companies are asked to complete either the online form or the standard form from pad, after any incident and either return it electronically or by fax (01487-832232) to the Association - which will then distribute the information to other members. The term 'incident' is used to include anything where there are Health and Safety lessons to be learned and shared. As well as accidents the report should include all dangerous practices, 'near misses', and equipment failures etc.
Shared health and safety information benefits us all, improves the image and standing of our industry and strengthens the Association.
14th July 2000
Steel Cleaning Hammelmann Aqujett 3000bar working at 800bar, Pipe fracture on the crimped end to the pump.
We cannot control swaging or pipe quality implemented new procedures hose. 1.5 LH Spir Crimped Cover.
Notified Suppliers "Staffs Hydraulics"
Gordon Holgate
MD
01200 441792
Powerclean Chatburn Clitheroe
Fracture on UHP line on 14th July 2000. We shut down the operation until 16th October 2000 because of the nature of the event and the need we felt we had to wait for Dienema safety covers. Fracture on 1st joint coupling to the pump. Pump shut down automatically but not before causing considerable damage to the pipe and outer polypipe cover which did not contain the burst. Operations resumed only after Dienema covers fitted on 16th October 2000.
18th July 2007
The work to be carried out, was that of a simple drain jetting job. The machine being used was a tanker jetter with a Harben "century" Pump on it.
The operator of some years standing, asked the experienced assistant jetter to switch on the engine, run it up and switch on the water.
Two major factors here caused a water jet injury, the operator was holding the jet hose, with the drain jet screwed into the end of the hose. The assistant started the machine, unfortunately the diverter valve, (directing the flow of water either to the jet head or to dump), was in the "pressure to jet head" position. (The "on" position)
Subsequently a jet of water from the jetting head, under a certain amount of pressure, spurted out cutting the operators glove, and luckily just nicked the top of one of his fingers.
The operator went to hospital to have it checked out and found no problems. My investigation found two major errors in procedures, one the sticker showing whether or not the diverter valve was in the "on" or "off" position was missing and secondly and probably more importantly, was that the operator did not follow the WJA Code of Practice for "The safe working and use of water jetting in drains and sewers". Namely Item 5.1.4 "During priming operation the nozzle should be removed from the system". or Item 9.4.9 "The pump unit shall not be started and bought up to pressure unless each team member is in his designated position and the nozzle correctly positioned in the drain or sewer".
Disciplinary procedures were undertaken, against the unfortunate or lucky operator. A safety bulletin was sent to every depot in the group and "Tool Box" talks were immediately instigated. The operator has undergone a refresher course on Drain & Sewer Jetting. The importance of training on a regular basis cannot be emphasised enough. All vehicles used by the company were rigourously checked over for any missing stickers, no matter what they were being used to inform the operators of.
The incident was reported to the Water Jetting Association, Technical/Commercial Committee, a representative from the HSE was present and it was discussed at length, by members of the industry they represent.
Mike Pirrie
Group Health & safety Advisor
07712 653853
Industrial Water Jetting Systems Ltd
This is a good lesson learnt, especially as the injury was superficial, however it could have been worse and a severe injury could have occurred, that is why, it is so important to notify the HSE and the industry of "Near Misses" because a similar incident may not have been one I would have wanted to report.
30th July 2007
The operators were using a high pressure combination suction/jetting unit to flush down residual silt in the base of a manhole chamber following the cleaning/cctv operations using a hose. The unit operator failed to ensure that the pre-set control of the jetting unit had been switched to manual (pre-set 1 4 barg), and had inadvertently left it on the lowest pre-set 2, which would give a pressure of 30 barg. The hose was being used without a jet, or lance attached. As the feed water was initiated this sudden surge of water caused the hose to kick and the hose struck the injured party in the right eye. He was wearing safety glasses which reduced the level of impact. Investigations into the incident by the equipment manufacturer highlighted that there was an intermittent fault on a pneumatic valve that would have contributed to this pressure being discharged to the hose rather than bypassing to the tank through the return line.
The operator who incorrectly set the pressure controls was inexperienced, and undertook the task without the permission or knowledge of his team leader. He had only previously undertaken the operation of the controls under direct instruction from his team leader as part of his development.
The use of small diameter hoses to wash-down has been prohibited. All small diameter hoses must now only be energised with either a jet, or gun attached, with the appropriate configuration of inserts for the task to be undertaken.
The manufacturer has reprogrammed the computer to ensure that the hose can now only be operated in manual setting. based upon the report from the manufacturer, this is against common practice, however this is believed to be the safest solution. Further discussions are ongoing with the manufacturer to further develop a technical solution to prevent the over-pressurisation of either the large diameter jetting hose or the hose should the pneumatic valve develop intermittent faults in the future
None at this time.
9th May 2008
Whilst HP Retro-Jetting a Tube Bundle, the jetting team changed the jet nozzle (ENZ 12mm Combijet) to gain optimum performance.During the build up of pressure in increments, the flexi-lance was approx-4-5 feet inside the tube when the jet nozzle sheared away from the lance, thus depriving the lance of forward momentum.
The pressure was at 11,000psi and forced the lance back out of the tube at which time the lance struck the IP on his visor. The IP visor was then forced into his lower lip causing an injury which has been discribed as a burst lip.
No jetting will take place with this type of jet until a full report from a a metologist on the causation of the fault.
Jetting proccedures are to be reviewed.
Enhanced PPE to be sourced and reviewed.
Investigation is ongoing, Awaiting Metoligists report.
Rab Stewart
Training Manager
07717532824
RAB
Further information can be given by contacting the above
9th May 2008
The job was the ultra high pressure cleaning of the inside of a large diameter fuel storage tank, the works were being carried out on the third level lift within the tank. The pressure being used was 30,000 psi. The machine was a Centurian M3. The operators were trained and certificated in High pressure surface preperation. However they were not fully aware of the implications and procedures for connecting additional hoses to the gun, (Standpipe/cone type). During the operations the gun and the connections became loose, the cone came away from the seat and a jet of water eminated through the weep holes.After a bit more work the weep holes became a higher pressure jet of water and one of the jets punctured the inside right arm of the operator.Full Turtle skin armour protection was worn, however there was no shroud over the hose adjacent to the operator, hence the injury
Action taken was a full investigation, with all parties, the client, the hirer and ourselves.
The hirer now insists that the shroud is provided with the machine, even if the contractor does not ask for it. we have instigated a full training programme on the correct methods of attaching hoses to guns etc, right across the various pressure ranges, ie high pressure and ultra high. Connectors have been purchased for this purpose.
We have learnt that even if an operator is trained in the use of ultra high pressure equipment it is still imperative that the intricacies of what seems as minor items are full explained. A safety bulletin has been issued to all our depots.
The incident was reported to the HSE electronically under RIDDOR. The hirer was fully co-operative and extremely helpful, putting the investigation under full scrutiny in there own premsies, under test conditions. The client has been kept fully in the picture as well
