UK HSE: Fatal incident using high pressure water jetting equipment
- Safety Flash
- Published on 6 December 2020
- Generated on 16 September 2025
- IMCA SF 33/20
- 1 minute read
What happened?
The UK Health and Safety Executive has prosecuted a company after a worker suffered a fatal injury using high-pressure water jetting equipment for industrial cleaning purposes.
An employee was using a high-pressure jet washer to clear paint residue from pipes.
During the process he was struck by the end of the flexi-lance, causing a fatal injury.
What were the causes?
HSE investigation found that the company recognised the risks of operating high-pressure water jetting equipment, but they had failed to put in place appropriate measures to mitigate the risks [IMCA emphasis].
They had not implemented or enforced the use of various control measures such as a pressure regulator or an anti-ejection device, which were missing at the time of the incident and, training and supervision were also not up to standard.
Members may wish to refer to:
- Serious Injury Caused By High-Pressure Washer
- Lost Time Injury (LTI): Serious Hand Injury During High Pressure Washing Operations
- Diver Sustains Water Jetting Injury
- Recommended practice for the use of high pressure jetting equipment by divers (IMCA D049)
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