July Tool Box Talk: Pressure Washing Safety

Pressure washers speed up cleaning projects on work sites and at home. But with water delivered at pressures up to 4,000 pounds per square inch, pressure washers can also be dangerous. Understanding the hazards associated with high-pressure washing is the first step to preventing them. Be mindful of the following whenever you operate a pressure washer:

• Waterjets: the high pressure waterjet from a power washer is powerful enough to slice through solid materials and seriously damage a human body, causing lacerations, wounds, and even fatal injuries.
• High velocity impact: waterjets can also propel objects and debris, causing a projectile hazard that could injure eyes, skin or other body parts upon impact.
• Chemical exposure: if you are operating a pressure washer in a plant or other environment where chemicals are present, beware "upset conditions" that could result in the release of toxic fluids or gases.
• Power source: electric  power washers need proper grounding to prevent an electrical hazard. Gas-powered pressure washers should never be used in enclosed spaces due to the carbon monoxide hazard.
• Slip and falls: obviously, pressure washing results in wet surfaces, increasing the risk of slips and falls.

For more information on safely operating a pressure washer, check out these recommendations from the CDC and this safety alert from Consumer Reports.