Do we need High Pressure Water Jetting training?

If you’re asking the question, then the answer is probably… yes! If you think you or your people need HPWJ training it won’t be long before you’re asking… “Is my HPWJ pump Class A or Class B?” and when you do, it will be time to ask…

What type of training do I need? Asset Training recommends training for both A and B classes of HPWJ systems.

Class A – requires HPWJ Awareness Training… a half-day course that meets the training requirements outlined in the Australian Standards – attending trainees receive a “Statement of Attendance”.

Class B – requires nationally recognised competency based training (NRT)… where successful trainees receive a “Statement of Attainment”

So what’s the difference between Class A and Class B? Class A systems Pressure water jetting systems are identified as Class A systems when the maximum energy produced by the system, measured in pressure volume units per minute (i.e. bar litres per minute), falls between 800 bar litres per minute and 5600 bar litres per minute.

Class B systems High pressure water jetting systems are identified as Class B when the maximum energy produced by the system, measured in pressure volume units per minute (i.e. bar litres per minute), exceeds 5600 bar litres per minute.

How do I know if I have a Class A or Class B Pump? You need to look at the compliance plate on your pump and find the pressure (bar) and the flow (L/pm).

To ascertain what class (size) system you use and the type of training you require we have included a pressure flow diagram at the bottom of the page which can also be found in both the Australian New Zealand standard 4233.1.2013 and the SafeWork Australia “Guide for managing risks from HPWJ”.

To accurately calculate the size and therefore the class of your pump you will need to use the maximum flow rate (volume of water) and maximum pressure that your unit is capable of (as per the compliance plate) not the settings that you use it at.

If your pump compliance plate is recorded in PSI, kPa (pressure) or gallons per/min (flow) you will need to convert these measurements to bar and litres per min to use the diagram below.

CONVERSION RATES

PRESSURE FLOW

1 kPa = 0.01 bar KILOPASCAL à BAR

1 PSI = 0.0689 bar POUNDS PER SQARE INCH à BAR

1 gallon = 4.546 litres IMPERIAL GALLON à LITRES

NOTE: In Australia and New Zealand the output of jetting systems is measured in bar litres per minute.

For example and using the intersecting lines on the grid…

Class A = 60 bar (PRESSURE) x 60 L per minute (FLOW) = 3,600 bar L/pm

Class B = 100 bar (PRESSURE) x 100 L per minute (FLOW) = 10,000 bar L/pm

Even easier, once you have determined your conversions multiply your PRESSURE x FLOW = CLASS i.e. 100 bar x 100 litres per minute = 10,000 bar L/pm which is over 5,600 bar L/pm making it a Class B pump

FLOW & PRESSURE DIAGRAM

Need to know more... So what is HPWJ? The Safe Work Australia “Guide for Managing Risks from High Pressure Water Jetting”

Defines High pressure water jetting as:

“A process using a stream of pressurised water to remove material, coatings or contamination and debris from the surface of a work piece or material substrate.”

Are there any hazards or risks when using HPWJ systems? Common hazards and risks include the water jet piercing the skin, being hit by flying debris and exposure to noise. Other hazards associated with high pressure water jetting include working in confined spaces, fall hazards, respiratory and eye hazards, electric shock and potential exposure to hazardous chemicals.

What should I do to eliminate or lower the risk? As this type of work is categorised as high-risk work, safety measures must be taken to ensure the risk is eliminated or reduced to as low as reasonably practical by providing training and instruction.

Are there any legal requirements? The WHS Act 2011 section 19, and The WHS Regulation 2011 clause 39 states:

“Provision of information, training and instruction”

That so far as is reasonably practicable a business must ensure, the provision of any information, training, instruction that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from work carried out and that training is suitable and adequate having regard to: the nature of the work carried out by the worker and the nature of the risks associated with the work.

The Australian/New Zealand Standard 4223.1.2013 High pressure water jetting systems states:

Those only competent personnel shall supervise and operate water-jetting systems.

An operator trainee shall be under the direct supervision of a competent operator when performing an assigned water-jetting task.

Who is a competent person? A person who has acquired through training, qualification and experience the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out HPWJ

When do I need appropriate training? The Australian / New Zealand Standard 4233.1.2013 and The SafeWork Australia guide require training if your water jetting system meets the following conditions:

Water jetting systems with a capacity operating below 800 bar / litres per minute where there is a foreseeable risk of injury to operators or other people.

Water jetting systems with an output capability greater than 800 bar litres per minute and less than 5600 bar litres per minute (identified as Class A)

Water jetting systems with an output capability in excess 5600 bar litres per minute (identified as Class B)

What type of training do I need for High Pressure Water Jetting (HPWJ)? General training for HPWJ under 800 bar/litres per minute, as per the guidance provided in the Australian Standard

CLASS A training for HPWJ over 800 bar litres per minute and less than 5600 bar litres per minute

All operators shall be appropriately trained as per the Australian Standard and assessed as competent for Class A pressure water jetting operations.

CLASS B training for HPWJ in excess 5600 bar litres per minute

All operators shall be appropriately trained and assessed as competent. Training shall be delivered through a Registered Training Organisation and be in accordance with the high pressure water jetting units of competency. Trainers shall be accredited by an RTO and shall have relevant water jetting experience.

NOTE: A Unit of Competency is developed by industry to ensure operators possess the necessary skills to function in the industry.

Will I need refresher training? Verification of current competency (VCC) or refresher training on high pressure water jetting operations shall be carried out and documented at appropriate intervals not exceeding two years to ensure the continued competency of operators.

The acquisition of new or more powerful equipment or new HPWJ technology should also activate refresher or enhanced training.

Definitions High pressure water jetting

“A process using a stream of pressurised water to remove material, coatings or contamination and debris from the surface of a work piece or material substrate.”

Bar litres per minute

“A measure of the energy produced by a high pressure water jetting system expressed as a pressure, volume value per unit of time.”

If you are still having trouble working out what class pump you have just take a picture of the compliance plate and email it to info@assettraining.com.au and we will let you know what class you have.

For more information please visit our website or contact us on the phone number below.

Asset Training RTO No. 91255 ABN 32 075 144 419

Phone: 1300 410 410 Email: info@assettraining.com.au Web: http://assetraining.com.au