UK HSE: Fatal incident using high pressure water jetting equipment
- Safety Flash
- Published on 6 December 2020
- Generated on 21 October 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)
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.