What is a water jetting team and who is part of it in automated operations?
The water jetting team is a group of workers needed to carry out an automated water jetting job, satisfying all the health and safety requirements.
The size of this team and the worker’s profile needed will vary depending on the specific characteristics of each job, but generally, it will be comprised of some (or all) of the positions described below:
- Automation operator: It is the person who will be running the automation system. In other words, the person who will be actually controlling the equipment. He/she must be familiar with the automated equipment and have specific training to operate it. Moreover, the more complex the system, the more training is needed to manage it.
- Pump Operator: This is the person that controls the entire operation remotely. The pump operator must monitor and control the pressurizing pump during the jetting operation and must be watching the working area in order to verify the operation is being carried out correctly and to be able to react in case any difficulty arises or if anyone tries to enter the working area. If problems arise during operations, the operator pump shall depressurise the system until the problem has been dealt with. In order to reduce the risk of accidents, this person must have sufficient knowledge of the equipment being used, have the appropriate training and experience, and be aware of what the work entails to better check the danger assessment and work permit.
- Additional personnel/operators: Depending on the site and the nature of the work, other personnel may be required on the team in addition to the automation operator and the pump operator. In general, 2-3 people are responsible for running the equipment. However, the team will consist of at least two people – an automation operator and a pump operator.
- Coordinator: Asset owner’s representative – capable of understanding the work to be carried out and commuting his needs to the contractor. This figure is not actually part of the waterjet team, but due to its importance in relation to it, it must be mentioned in this section. The participation of the coordinator is essential to carry out the job in a safe way, as a good risk assessment can only be achieved with the cooperation between the contractor and the asset owner (represented by the coordinator).
- Contract Manager/Supervisor: The contractor’s representative – having sufficient knowledge to be able to choose the right equipment for the work, complete the risk assessment document with the Coordinator, secure the work permit and explain both to the pump operator.
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