The Water Jetting Association is marking its 40th anniversary by showcasing the skills and attributes of the many professionals working in the water jetting industry across the UK.
That includes Sean Middleton who, aged 50, became a water jetting trainee. He is now looking forward to a second career controlling water travelling from his jetting gun at over twice the speed of sound.
WJA Director David Kennedy said: “Sean’s commitment typifies the professionalism and skill of water jetting in carrying out vital tasks for construction and engineering clients in the most challenging of conditions.
“Over the last 40 years, we’ve seen water jetting develop to become a highly-respected and technically advanced process for cleaning, hydrodemolition, surface preparation, cleaning and cutting.”
Sean, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, joined WJA-member Aquaforce, part of Freyssinet, after taking redundancy from a job he’d had in a construction services company from the day he left school aged 16.
“When I first started water jetting, my first thought was that this is a bit scary,” says Sean. “The water jets, at up to 40,000 psi, are so powerful. But the support and training I’ve had have been fantastic.
“The health and safety and care for us as a workforce is second to none. Compared with my previous job, it’s like going from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.”
Aquaforce sent Sean on the WJA Safety Awareness course – a one-day class-based course, accredited by City & Guilds – which covers all key aspects of high pressure water jetting.
That includes water jetting terminology, process and equipment, risk assessment, safety procedures, protective clothing and site set-up. Sean will have to retake the course every three years.
He also undertook and passed the WJA’s Hydrodemolition practical module, a one-day course, also accredited by City & Guilds.
The WJA, founded in 1980, is the UK’s largest water jetting training provider. Its Codes of Practice are recognised as setting the industry standard in many countries.
www.waterjetting.org.uk | 0206 320 1090 | info@waterjetting.org.uk