Apparel protects against high-pressure injury

Apparel protects against high-pressure injury
Apparel protects against high-pressure injury

Interested in Cleaning?

Get Cleaning articles, news and videos right in your inbox! Sign up now.

Cleaning + Get Alerts

Pro-Operator personal protective clothing from TST-Sweden, distributed by US Jetting, is designed to protect waterjet operators from the hazards of high-pressure equipment.

Made from lightweight and flexible Dyneema, the clothing line includes gloves, aprons, pants, hooded jackets and one-piece overall with detachable hood. All apparel meets OSHA safety standards.

“You also can get a screen to protect operators who might be in an area where someone is working with a high-pressure jet,” says Nick Woodhead, president and founder of US Jetting. “In the hot summer, wearing a jacket can be uncomfortable, but you can put an apron on, which will give you a certain level of protection. In the wintertime, protective gear is ideal because it’s waterproof and warm.”

Woodhead says he began his search for the protective gear after an operator accidently ran his hand over a pinhole leak in a high-pressure hose operating at 3,000 psi, causing severe injury. The operator was wearing a pair of latex gloves at the time.

“I called everyone in the industry and said I needed a pair of gloves that could withstand the waterjetting pressures. TST was the first to respond and developed something for us,” he says. “We’ve got to get people to realize that protective equipment is out there, and if you use it, it will save lives.”

The nitrile-dipped gloves are designed to protect hands when using a 3,000-psi straight jet or 7,500-psi rotary head. They are CE certified according to EN 388:2004 with level 5 protection against cuts and level 4 rated against abrasion, tear and puncture.

The gloves have a rough, sand texture for added grip and separate nylon liner for comfort. Available in sizes 8 and 11, they are machine washable and have a three-year shelf life.

The apron has built-in three-layer protection to 7,500 psi. Available in one size, it weighs 1.5 pounds and has an adjustable neckband and waistband.

The two-piece jacket with hood and pants provides full body protection to 7,500 psi. The jacket has a detachable hood with room for ear protection, waterproof zippers with overlapping flap, adjustable cuffs and comfort lining. The pants have an adjustable elastic-back waist, detachable suspenders, reinforced knees, double belt loops and zippers at the leg bottoms.

The one-piece overall with detachable hood also offers protection to 7,500 psi. Lined for comfort, it features open ventilation in the armpits, adjustable cuffs and hood.

“Eventually safety clothing will become mandated by the companies that are having contractors come in because they don’t want the liability of someone getting injured on site,” Woodhead says. “Also, OSHA states that if there is protective gear, you have to make it available to your employees. It’s just a matter of time before everyone will be using it.” 800/538-8464; www.usjetting.com.



Discussion

Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Comments are moderated before being posted.