Health, Safety & Medical
The WJA leads the water jetting industry in health, safety and medical excellence.
Setting the Standard for Safe Water Jetting
Water jetting presents unique risks that require clear standards and the right knowledge on site. The Water Jetting Association brings together the guidance, tools and medical insight needed to manage those risks effectively.
Covering safety best practice, training, injury response and medical support, it sets the benchmark for safer working and higher standards across the industry.
Report an Incident
Help improve safety across the water jetting industry by confidentially reporting incidents, near misses and safety concerns.
The WJA uses shared industry information to help identify risks, improve guidance and issue Safety Alerts that support safer working practices across all sectors of water jetting.
Whether the incident resulted in injury, equipment failure, unsafe conditions or a near miss, your report can help prevent future accidents and improve awareness throughout the industry.
All submissions are treated confidentially and reviewed responsibly by the WJA.
Video interview with WJA Senior Medical Advisor Dr Sancho Rodriguez-Villar
In this video interview, Dr Sancho Rodriguez-Villar, the WJA’s senior medical advisor, talks in detail about the risks in terms of injuries that can be caused by water jets, notably through hydraulic fluid injection.
He discusses the findings of research he led, with Dr Robert Kennedy (PhD), the WJA’s clinical research coordinator, into the causes and effects of these injuries.
He also describes the correct actions to take to treat water jetting injuries in line with the WJA Water Jetting Injury Treatment Algorithm which was developed by the research team.
Health and Safety
Safe Systems of Work
Striving to continuously improve health, safety and wellbeing has always been fundamental to the Water Jetting Association's purpose and to our work.
Our work on health and safety is led by the voluntary members of our technical committee, our training and safety committee, and our ruling council who have worked in the water jetting industry for many years.
City & Guilds Programme
The safe use of water jetting equipment is a core element of our codes of practice through the promotion of safe systems of work underpinned by adherence to an effective hierarchy of controls.
It is also central to the courses available in our City & Guilds training programme and our ABBE accredited Level 2 Water Jetting Technician course.
Working with Others
The WJA works closely with its members and other agencies to monitor water jetting health, safety and wellbeing performance and assist in making improvements where possible.
For example, we work in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure the latest guidance on safety at work legislation and regulations is built into our codes of practice and advice to members.
Continuous Improvement
Through our close relationship with members, the WJA continuously reviews its health and safety guidance, for example to ensure it is fit for purpose given the rapid development of water jetting technologies and techniques.
Strengthening Controls
Transitioning from ‘should’ to ‘shall’ the Red Code mandates absolute compliance.
Improving Learning, Promoting Health and Safety
The WJA continuously reviews and improves its training programmes to support safer water jetting. For example, the Safety Awareness Refresher course now includes practical assessment alongside classroom learning.
Promoting water jetting safety in the UK and internationally remains a core focus of the WJA. This includes issuing safety alerts, producing medical cards for injury awareness, and providing quick reference guides and warning signage to support safer working practices.
Safety Refresher
Mandatory awareness courses to combat operational complacency.
Safety Alerts
Real-time incident reporting and threat intelligence sharing.
The Code of Practice
The industry-standard guide for safe water jetting practices.
WJA Injury Treatment Algorithm
The WJA has developed a water jetting injury treatment algorithm that gives step-by-step best practical guidance on water jetting injuries from first response through to definitive hospital care and recovery.
WJA Injury Treatment Algorithm
Step-by-step best practical guidance on water jetting injuries
Improving Safety Through Research
The WJA supports research into water jetting safety. For example, the injury treatment algorithm was created as a result of research commissioned by the WJA into fluid injection injuries.
This study was led by Dr Sancho Rodriguez-Villar, the WJA's senior medical advisor, and Dr Robert Charles Kennedy (PhD), our clinical research coordinator.
Published in the European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 2019 research paper.
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Contact Us
Have questions about training modules or membership benefits? Our team is here to provide expert support.
Headquarters
The Engine House, 2 Veridion Way, Erith, Kent, DA18 4AL
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