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Pressure Washer Safety Tips
Pressure washers operate at pressures from 1,000 to 5,000 psi. Be sure your
supervisors and employees observe the following precautions when operating pressure
washers. Failure to observe these rules could result in serious personal injury:
* Always wear proper face protection when operating the machine.
* Never point the gun valve at yourself or another person.
* Never fill a pressure washer fuel tank with fuel while the engine is running
or if the engine
is still hot.
* Never start the machine until all quick-connect hose connections are checked
to see that they are in a locked position.
* Never start the machine until water is turned on at the faucet and is flowing
from the end of the extension. Then insert the desired cleaning nozzle into the
extension quick coupler.
* Always keep hands and feet clear of the cleaning nozzle.
* Always set the trigger safety lock when the gun valve is not in use.
* Always relieve the pressure in the system before uncoupling hoses.
The following safety checklist does not cover all the potential hazards associated
with poor maintenance and unsafe use of pressure washers. Always follow the complete
safety precautions and operating procedures as described by your equipment manufacturers.
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Proper Hose Selection
Select hoses that are rated well above the maximum operating pressure of the
pressure washing unit. A hose used on a 3,000 psi pressure washer may be rated
at 4,000 psi, for instance. Follow the equipment manufacturer's guidelines on
proper pressure ratings.
Select hoses that have the temperature range capacity for hot water pressure
washing if hot water washing is needed. lf a hose is used to carry water that
is higher than the hose's capacity the hose core may become hard and cracked.
(This problem may also occur if the hose is running over a hot surface.)
Select hoses that are chemical-resistant if chemical injection cleaning is being
done.
Do not couple into one line hoses supplied by different manufacturers.
Spring guards may be needed where hose flexing at a coupling could weaken the
hose.
Always follow equipment manufacturer's specifications in hose selection. Never
substitute a hose designated for another purpose. |
Daily Hose Inspection
Visually inspect the full length of high-pressure discharge hose and inspect
other high-pressure fluid-handling components for abrasions or cuts, damage caused
by exposure to chemicals and for damage caused by kinks in the hose.
If the hose exhibits any of the above conditions, replace it. Hoses have a limited
service life, and the user must be alert to signs of impending failure.
Destroy any hose deemed unserviceable so another worker will not use it later;
unaware of its damaged condition.
Inspect with appropriate wrenches all couplings, including any hex nipples, bushing
and pipe adapters, elbows quick connects and live working swivels to ensure they
fit tightly Check for tightness only when all pressure has been removed from
the system.
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On-the-Job Precautions
Fluids under high pressure from spray or leaks can penetrate the skin, causing
extremely serious injury that could result in amputation or death. Never try
to stop or deflect a leak with your hand or body.
If new couplings are placed on the end of a hose by shop or field employees rather
than by the equipment supplier's personnel ensure that fitting has been properly
crimped onto the hose. Failure to do so can cause blown couplings.
Never start the washer until certain that the quick coupler sleeves are in the
locked position.
Avoid hoses being crushed, as when a vehicle runs over it. Relocate the pressure
washer or reroute the hose.
Avoid abrasion to the hose by pulling it in sections rather than grabbing one
end of the line and pulling the full weight of the line. In rough work areas
where abrasion is likely, a hose can be protected by using a hose sleeve (an
old garden hose, for instance, slit and placed over the pressure waterline).
Allow sufficient slack in the hose to accommodate what manufacturers call "pulse
shortening" of the hose while it is in use (that is, the change in length that
occurs when the hose is under pressure).
Do not allow the hose to be bent beyond the manufacturer's specified minimum
bend radius. If this limit is exceeded, the hose may burst at the bend. This
problem may occur, for instance, when a hose runs up the side of a building and
then over a parapet wall The weight of the hose and fluid will cause unsafe bending
at the point where the hose goes over the wall. (Another caution is that damage
may occur to the pump due to continual pumping through hose that is bent beyond
the minimum radius.)
If a hose is hanging vertically at long lengths, it must be supported or the
weight of the hose plus the fluid inside may pull the hose from its fitting support
the hose by clamping it to a chain or cable.
A pump malfunction may cause unusually high pressures which in turn, may cause
a hose to burst. If a pump malfunction occurs, inspect the hose and all other
high-pressure fluid-handling components.
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Storage of Hose Lines
Drain the hose after each use. Flush a hose that was used for chemical cleaning
according to the manufacturer instructions.
Do not wind a hose so tightly that kinks or fiat spots result. Do not suspend
wound hose from a narrow and/or sharp object such as a nail, metal hook, or wooden
dole pin. This may cause a burst when the hose is later under pressure. Possibly
hang a bucket on the wall and hang the wound hose from it. Ideally, hoses should
be stored on a hose reel.
In winter do not store a hose in below-freezing environment as this may cause
it to crack when flexed. If a hose is stored in cold temperatures, it must be
warmed prior to use to avoid cracking.
If a supply of used but serviceable hoses is stored in the shop or van, color
code the ends of the hoses for their intended use (code for pressure rating,
code chemical-resistant hoses, and code paint sprayer hoses separately from the
pressure washing hoses, etc.)
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Electricity
Inspect all cords to ensure they have not been damaged, exposing the inside wiring.
De absolutely certain that the ground prong on the electrical plug is functioning
and that an adapter or pigtail is not being used to override the purpose of the
grounded plug. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are one means of protecting
against an electrical shock caused by a fault in the ground. Most pressure washer
manufacturers offer a ground-fault device either as a standard option or accessory
item for pressure washers.
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Detergent Cleaning
Use only mild cleaning detergents with pressure washers. Always rinse the injection
system, regardless of type, with water to prevent
corrosion or gumming of parts. Rinsing the injection system is especially important
if the injector is not being used every day For safety reasons, do not use toxic
or corrosive chemicals with pressure washers.
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Guards and Shields
Never allow pressure washer equipment to be operated with safety belt guards
or similar shields removed. If a guard has become damaged, replace it.
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Safety Systems
Do not override the safety controls built into hot-water pressure washers. Overriding
the flow switch, pressure switch, vacuum switch or temperature switch can cause
hazardous operating conditions.
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Pressure Adjustments
Most pressure washers come with unloaders preset at the factory for maximum operating
pressures. Never adjust the regulating feature of the unloader valve beyond the
factory setting. Never modify the machine in any way so as to increase the operating
pressure. Before each job, be certain to check the operating pressure with a
pressure gauge, and adjust as necessary to the proper level.
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Freezing
If a machine freezes, let it thaw in a warm environment. Do not attempt to start
a machine that has frozen. On hot-water machines be especially careful. If the
machine has frozen, the coil/heat exchanger may be ruptured.
If a machine must be transported or stored in an environment where freezing may
occur it should be winterized. Procedures vary from brand to brand, but most
manufacturers recommend running a solution of 50 percent water and 50 percent
ethylene glycol (standard automotive antifreeze) through the system. |
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