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SAFE at WORK
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HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • AUGUST 2016
The standards separate blasters into two
classes for the purposes of differentiating
safe work techniques and level of training
required to safely operate the machines.
The power of a high pressure water
blaster is calculated by multiplying
the pressure of the machine, in Bar, by
the flow, in litres per minute. Class B
machines include all water blasters above
5600Bar litres per minute. This group
of machines are generally used by big
cleaning contractors. It covers hydro-
blasters up to 50,000psi. However, even
some 3,000psi machines with high flow
rates fall under the Class B category.
Operator training in the safe use of these
machines by an RTO certified trainer is
mandatory under the Australian Standard.
Class A machines are those most
commonly used in the cleaning and hire
industries. These include all domestic and
commercial pressure washers up to about
4,000psi with lower flow rates. The range
covers the big box store domestic style
high pressure cleaners right through to
industrial water blasters traditionally used
for graffiti cleaning, property maintenance
and machinery wash-down.
Class A Operator Training
Australian Pump Industries is aware even
Class A machines can cause operator
injuries. A jet of high pressure water can
carry infections deep into body tissue and
although the surface damage may look
insignificant, resulting infections can lead
to complications.
To educate operators Aussie Pumps
has developed an Aussie Class A Safe
Operator course that covers blaster
basics. The course includes how a piston
pump works, safety precautions required
during operation of a blaster, what can go
wrong and potential consequences.
The Aussie Class A course is available
free of charge in hard copy form. Aussie
Pumps recommends an experienced
operator runs through the course
with trainees to ensure the practical
implications of the training are
understood. The course includes a short
comprehension test and on successful
completion a certificate is issued.
The Aussie Safe Operator range of
PPE protect against pressures up to
7,000psi (500BAR). The range includes
jackets, pants, aprons, gloves and boots.
Aussie Safe Operator free training for Class A blaster operators
According to Aussie Pumps’ Hamish Lorenz, new Australian Standards (AS/NZS4233.1) for
using high pressure water blasters aim to improve safety awareness in the industry.
Comfortable and lightweight,
Aussie Safe Operator gear
protects an operator should
a hose rupture while under
pressure. Hose ruptures and
fittings failures account for
over 90% of all injuries while
using high pressure cleaners.
An operator will naturally
position the high pressure
gun near their chest during
operation so potential for
personal injury is acute.
Aussie Pumps supply 500Bar
hose shrouds that fit over the
hose where it joins the gun.
Hose shrouds are mandatory on all Class
B machines but pressure jets on a Class A
machine can inflict injury.
The quality and design of the high
pressure water washer is also paramount
to the safety of the operator. Built under
an ISO9001 quality system, all Aussie
Pump blasters feature an Aussie ASP
(Aussie Safety Protection) kit. This kit
includes a number of safety devices that
protect the operator and machine.
For example, a safety valve fitted to the
triplex pump relieves excess pressure in
a controlled manner. This protects the
pump and the operator from pressure
spikes. The thermal dump protects the
pump against excess by-pass running.
The unloader controls the pressure to the
gun. All these devices are factory set for
maximum performance and safety.
The Aussie Scud professional range of
contractor pressure washers focuses on
operator safety. By eliminating ‘sharps’
from the frame the hose is less likely
to snag. The frame design enables an
easy-fit hose reel mounting bar and hose
reel to be attached. The OH&S benefits
of adding hose reel with extra length
hose include minimising trip hazards and
improving operator convenience.
Contact Aussie Pumps on 02 8865 3500 or
visit: www.aussiepumps.com.au
Manual Handling:
review of risk
control measures
WorkSafe Victoria has released new
guidance for employers on how to
review and revise risk control measures
for manual handling. According to
WorkSafe Victoria, as an employer, you
must control the risk of musculoskeletal
disorder associated with hazardous
manual handling, so far as reasonably
practicable. If the risk can't be
eliminated, employers must reduce
the risk by implementing risk control
measures following the hierarchy of
control.
WorkSafe Victoria – Safety Soapbox 1
April 2016
Falling from height
figures
Statistics from Safe Work Australia
show more than 6500 workers were
hospitalised following a fall from height
in the three-year period from July 2006 to
June 2009.
This is 9% of all workers who were
hospitalised during this period.
The Work-related Injuries and Fatalities
Involving a Fall from Height, Australia,
October 2013 report shows falls from one
level to another accounted for 23% of the
falls-related hospitalisations during the
three-year period from July 2006 to June
2009.
WorkSafe Victoria – Safety Soapbox 14
April, 2016
SAFETY
NOTES...
To educate operators Aussie Pumps has developed an Aussie Class
A Safe Operator course