Planning and pre-operational procedures
How should the operation be planned?
How should the operation be planned?When planning an automated water jetting operation, it is necessary to meet with the client and define the nature of the operation (location, configuration, waste product(s), general planning, etc.) and to share all important information relating to health and safety (presence of hazardous substances on the site, etc.).
Contractors should also inspect the job site with a representative of the asset owner to collect valuable information about the working environment.
Using all the information compiled, a sheet should be filled out to facilitate the planning.
Which requirements should the jetting area meet and how should it be defined?
A physical barrier must be used to clearly define the working area, even though the automated water jetting operation will be handled remotely in a safety zone. It is also necessary to clearly define the entrances of the operator into the working area. In this way, the area will be considered a safety zone.
The establishment of physical barriers has various purposes, the most important of them being:
- Preventing the entrance of outsiders to the working area.
- Stop people nearby from coming into contact with other hazards associated with the jetting operation like aerosol, flying scales, or debris falling from above.
Where water jetting operations are not shielded by physical barriers – e.g. inside a vessel – the perimeter of the defined area should be outside the effective range of the jet of high-pressure water.
Also, in relation to signalling, when water jetting equipment is being operated, signs indicating something such as “Danger – Water jetting equipment in use” should be displayed where they are clearly visible to people approaching the area and those near the area where the equipment is being used. Signs should also be used to warn people they are approaching a hazardous area. Water jetting operations are generally easy to identify as they are almost always very loud.
When and where should the equipment be placed?
During fully automatic water jetting operations the jetting unit is operated from a safe distance by a certified high-pressure water jetter. The jetter has complete control over the machine from his place of work.
In this regard it is imperative that the equipment that allows the operator the remote control of the water jetting equipment is placed taking into account the following considerations:
- The operator must have a clear view of the whole place of work from his position.
- The operator and the surrounding area must be well protected from flying dirt and water jets.
Moreover, the water jetting unit must be located within the working area prior to the beginning of the operation, taking into account a number of criteria related to the work to be performed and to the considered environment (explosive atmosphere, soil stability, passers-by, etc.).
It must be checked that plant equipment and water jetting equipment placement does not become a hazard and critical access ways, emergency exits, are left unobstructed, and hoses should be arranged to effectively minimize potential tripping hazards.
Which pre-start checks should be done?
Pre-start checks should be done before every automated water jetting operation to ensure the job will be performed correctly and safely. The aspects that need to be checked will vary depending on the type of work, the onsite conditions, etc. However, usually, the following points will always need to be inspected:
- Hoses and fittings
- Whip Checks
- Fail-Safe Devices
- Anti-withdrawal devices
- Pumping Equipment
- Guarding
- Barricading
- Remote control
- Electrical components
Checklist for automated industrial cleaning operations
A checklist should also be created.
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