Understanding OSHA regulations for pressure washing is crucial to running your pressure washer safely. We’ve written this article to help you understand the most important OSHA standards and safety practices to keep your workers safe – and keep your business compliant
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What is OSHA?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) works for safer and healthier working conditions. OSHA sets safety standards and provides training and guidance for workers and employees. It can also fine or shut down non-compliant workplaces.
You must know OSHA pressure washing requirements if you are using a commercial pressure washer. Here is a brief rundown of OSHA pressure washing rules.
OSHA Pressure Washing Requirements: PPE, Workflow, and Other Safety Guidelines
Every employer must provide pressure washer operators with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent injuries. But simply providing PPE is not enough to comply with OSHA PPE requirements for pressure washing.
OSHA also requires that you train employees in how to put on, take off, wear, and adjust PPE. You must also inspect all PPE to make sure it is in good working condition. Here are the nuanced details of proper PPE protocol and other workflow safety guidelines.
OSHA PPE Requirements for Pressure Washing
Let’s start with the different OSHA PPE requirements for pressure washing. You and your company could land in serious legal and financial trouble if you neglect these regulations.
Eye and Face Protection (29 CFR 1910.133)
Direct contact with a pressure washer jet can cause serious eye injury. Dislodged debris like paint chips and concrete fragments can be equally dangerous. And the chemical cleaning agents used in some applications can lead to severe chemical burns and vision loss.
Use safety glasses with side shields or vented goggles that provide a full seal around the eyes. OSHA requires both goggles and a full face shield if you are using harsh chemicals or there is a high debris risk.
Your eye and face protection must comply with ANSI Z87.1 for proper impact resistance and splash protection. Train your workers in how to spot scratches, cracks, or other damage to their eye and face protection.
Hand Protection (29 CFR 1910.138)
High-pressure water injections can lead to severe infections. Harsh chemicals can cause chemical burns. 29 CFR 1910.138 requires hand protection for pressure washer hazards.
Your employees must wear durable waterproof gloves to keep their hands dry and protect against the water stream. Your gloves must be certified as resistant to any detergents or caustic chemicals you are using. The gloves should also fit properly so they can control the pressure washer wand and trigger mechanism comfortably.
Foot Protection (29 CFR 1910.136)
Pressure washer operators frequently work on wet, slippery surfaces. Sometimes these surfaces are littered with sharp objects or heavy equipment that could be tipped over or dropped. If they’re using electric pressure washers, there may also be a risk of electric shock.
Under OSHA pressure washing requirements, workers must use protective footwear in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries. Water-resistant or waterproof boots with steel or composite toes and slip-resistant surfaces are recommended.
Hearing Protection (29 CFR 1910.95)
Pressure washers can generate noise levels well above 100 decibels. OSHA PPE requirements for pressure washing require hearing protectors for pressure washer operators to prevent hearing damage. These hearing protectors must reduce noise to an exposure limit under 90dBA for an 8-hour time-weighted average.
Check the Noise Reduction Rating (NNR) of your hearing protection before purchase. If your pressure washer has a noise rating of 100dBA, a device with an NNR of 25 will reduce it to an acceptable 75dBA over an 8-hour period.
Protective Clothing
OSHA regulations for pressure washing require protective clothing. Waterproof or water-resistant rain gear is sufficient for jobs that only involve water or mild detergents. Chemical-resistant gear is required if you are using acids or strong caustics in your pressure washer.
OSHA pressure washing requirements also state that garments should fit properly so there’s no danger of getting caught on machinery or other objects. You must also have decontamination and changing procedures in place to prevent skin contact or cross-contamination.
Lockout/Tagout Requirements for Equipment Maintenance
OSHA regulations for pressure washing require a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) process to protect employees who are doing repairs or maintenance on a pressure washer.
The LOTO process starts by turning off the machine using its normal controls. The worker then unplugs an electric unit or disconnects the spark plugs on a gas pressure washer. Then they try to start the equipment to verify that it is truly locked out.
Safe Operating Procedures and Hazard Communication
One of the most important OSHA pressure washing requirements is an official set of instructions for every task. Every employee must know the rules for safe operation and proper shutdown steps.
You must inform your employees if you are using any potentially hazardous cleaning agents or other chemicals. You need to provide training on how to use these agents safely as well.
Fall Protection for Elevated Work Areas
Many pressure washing jobs involve cleaning rooftops or washing down multistory buildings. OSHA pressure washing requirements require fall protection systems for elevated areas. If your workers are going to be more than 4 to 6 feet above ground, you will need fall protection.
Guardrails along an open edge can prevent a worker from falling. But a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) consisting of a harness, an anchor point, and a connector is a more reliable way of preventing falls and injuries when working on heights.
General Safety Tips for Industrial Pressure Washing
The OSHA regulations for pressure washing are only one part of a complete safety strategy. Here are some guidelines that will help you operate your pressure washer safely on every job.
Inspect Equipment Before Every Use
Checking your pressure washer before every job reduces your risk of serious injury. Does your hose have any bulges, cracks, leaks, or worn areas? Is your wand and gun connected securely and is the trigger working correctly? Is the nozzle clear of blockages?
Take your pressure washer out of service immediately if you see any issues during your inspection. The problem may look minor, but you or someone else could get badly hurt if it blows. Don’t use your unit again until all damaged parts have been repaired or replaced.
Never Point the Spray Wand at People or Animals
Pressure washers can strip paint off steel and slice through wood. Treat your pressure washer with the same respect you would show a gun. Never point the wand at a person or animal. You may think your machine is turned off, but you could cause serious injuries if you’re wrong.
Be Aware of Electrical Hazards
Watch out for junction boxes, electrical meters, and outdoor lights. Do not spray water directly on them. You could receive a potentially fatal shock if your water spray strikes a service panel or a power line.
Plug your electric pressure washer into a grounded outlet that has a Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI) protecting it. GFCI cuts off the current when it’s no longer grounded, saving you the risk of a powerful shock.
Use the Right Nozzle and PSI for the Task
The PSI needed to clean hard concrete might strip car paint or splinter a wooden deck. Start with a wider-angle nozzle that provides a gentler, lower-pressure spray. If you’re not satisfied with the cleaning results, use a narrower, higher-pressure nozzle until you get the result you’re looking for.
Don’t Operate in Enclosed or Poorly Ventilated Spaces
You should only operate a gas-powered pressure washer outside in an area with lots of fresh air because gas engines emit carbon monoxide. An electric pressure washer that emits no exhaust fumes is the only safe choice for cleaning indoor spaces.
Proper Hose Management
Many pressure washing accidents happen when an operator trips over a hose while the spray wand is in operation. When you’re unwinding your hose, lay it out in a clear path away from where you will be walking. Be mindful of the hose as you work, and drain it thoroughly after use before rewinding it.
Final Words on the OSHA Regulations for Pressure Washing
Now you have a basic knowledge of OSHA pressure washing requirements and general pressure washing safety practices. This can help you significantly reduce the risks of high-pressure cleaning.
Choosing the right supplier is an important cornerstone of any safety program. When you’re looking for reliable, durable pressure washing equipment with the best safety features, your best choice is Hotsy South Texas.
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