What information should be included in the protocol for accidents involving water jetting?
If an emergency arises, operators must immediately suspend their activity. Systems must be left without residual pressure, with all machines stopped.
As soon as possible, each operator must go to the previously indicated assembly areas and identify themselves to the corresponding person as it is necessary to count the operators to determine if someone is missing and could be in the emergency area. If anybody is missing emergency services will have to enter the danger area to search for the person.
In the event that any of the workers has suffered an injury of any kind, it is necessary to carry out the following principles: protect – alert – assist.
- Protect: As quickly as possible. It is necessary to protect the victim without being exposed or exposing anyone present, to avoid further accidents.
- Alert or have someone else alert: The corresponding emergency services must be alerted, specifying: the location, the number of victims, the nature of the injuries and their severity, the probable cause of the accident and the telephone number on which emergency services may call back. Stay in contact with the emergency services till all questions are answered.
- Assist:
- The victim should not be moved unless they are exposed to a risk that could worsen their condition.
- First aid
- All the workers must wait for the emergency services while comforting the victim.
- Nobody must expose or risk their own health by assisting a victim in a confined space, a dangerous area or in a hazardous atmosphere area.
After this, the injured person will be transferred to hospital, most likely by the emergency services, where the injuries will be evaluated and treated. It will be highly recommended to carry a document that includes information for the medical staff on how to proceed when treating a waterjet injury as well as any contaminants from the cleaning work. To this effect, in the appendix 4 of this guide, you will find a type of sheet for water jetting accidents, intended to help medical staff who are going to treat the injured party.
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