WATER JET CONFERENCE - Waterjet Technology Association

HYDRO-BLASTING SAFETY
C.W. Adaway, Hydro-Services, Inc., Missouri City, Texas;
John F. Hinrichs, Hydro-Services, Inc., Missouri City, Texas;
J.D. Frye, Hydro-Services, Inc., Missouri City, Texas
INTRODUCTION
While this paper and supporting video presentation are most directly addressed to
Hydro-Blast cleaning (use of high velocity water for removal of unwanted debris), there
are many parallels that may be drawn between them and any other applications using
high pressure fluids. It should also be noted at this point that this information is not meant
to be, nor should it be, construed as an all-encompassing text of safety hazards. The intent
is to point out the normal hazards involved in a basic hydro-blasting operation.
Anyone who has worked with high pressure Hydroblasting equipment knows of
the tremendous force behind that stream of water.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The water pressure developed by these high pressure pumps can reach several
thousand pounds per square inch. All this pressure is forced through very small openings
in the tip end of the blasting gun. The resulting force is so tremendous it is strong enough
to cut through almost anything in its path.
The information in this program should be of interest to anyone who will ever
hold a Hydro-Blast gun in his hands or to anyone who will work close to this kind of
machinery.
Remember, this stream of water can be moving in excess of 1,000 feet per second.
At this point, it's not just water; it's a powerful lance which can penetrate almost anything
and clean a surface down to bare metal in just seconds.
This is why Hydro-Blasting machine is so useful in industry. It is fast and
thorough. To do by hand what the Hydro-Blaster does, would be extremely time
consuming. But the machinery would be useless if it couldn't be operated safely.
SET-UP
The time you spend in set-up and safety inspection is time well spent. It is
difficult to do a good job without good preparation. And in Hydro-Blasting, preparation
begins with the location you choose for spotting your high pressure pump.
Select an area which will not be hit with spray from the blasting operation. Any
other machinery or electrical utilities in the vicinity may require protection from the high
pressure jet stream or its spray.
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