Hotsy Pressure Washer Training Tips for New Users
Published:
6/9/2021
Pressure washers are powerful tools for general contractors and DIYers looking for reliable cleaning methods. With enough power to cut through caked-on grease, oil, and more, it’s crucial that all users take proper precautions to avoid serious injuries and accidents.
If you're new to pressure washers or plan to introduce your employees to one, it's crucial to have thorough pressure washer training. Preparation ensures the safety of operators, employees, and bystanders when a pressure washer is in use. What's more, safe use preserves the longevity of the pressure washer.
why does pressure washer training matter?
Before considering when the financial benefits of buying a new pressure washer outweigh the initial costs, it’s important to understand how you will make that money back.
The power washing business is highly competitive. As such, you should make calculated moves to keep your business afloat. Your pricing needs to be high enough that you make profits but low enough to attract customers. Here are some considerations you should make when pricing your services.
6 Pressure Washer Safety Tips
1. Create a List of All Pressure Washer Hazards
Have a list of any risks associated with pressure washers. Go through as many resources as possible to find out the risks because you cannot prevent something you're unaware of. For each risk, have an accompanying mitigation or safety measure. Some of the dangers of using a pressure washer are:
- Physical injury: Pressure washers can cause skin injury, lacerations, and bone fractures.
- Electric shock: Electric-powered pressure washers always carry the risk of electrocution if water and electricity meet. Therefore, its’ crucial to always inspect the equipment and power cables before use.
- Property damage: If you have a pressure washer with high PSI, you can strip off paint, strip materials, dent surfaces, and destroy landscaping.
- Chemical damage: If you get a cut from using a pressure washer, you could expose yourself to dangerous chemicals from the pressure washers or the surface you're cleaning. These chemicals go straight into your bloodstream through the open wound.
- CO2 Poisoning: Gasoline-powered pressure washers are best used in open, airy spaces to avoid trapping CO2 leading to poisoning.
2. Wear Personal Protective Equipment
- Physical injury: Pressure washers can cause skin injury, lacerations, and bone fractures. Supplies such as detergent and oil
- Electric shock: Electric-powered pressure washers always carry the risk of electrocution if water and electricity meet. Therefore, its’ crucial to always inspect the equipment and power cables before use.
- Property damage: If you have a pressure washer with high PSI, you can strip off paint, strip materials, dent surfaces, and destroy landscaping.
- Chemical damage: If you get a cut from using a pressure washer, you could expose yourself to dangerous chemicals from the pressure washers or the surface you're cleaning. These chemicals go straight into your bloodstream through the open wound.
- CO2 Poisoning: Gasoline-powered pressure washers are best used in open, airy spaces to avoid trapping CO2 leading to poisoning.
3. Understand the Manual
Your manual will provide all the information you should know about machine operations, troubleshooting, maintenance, accessories, and repairs. As a rule of thumb, always read the manual and encourage other users to do the same before using a pressure washer.
4. Exercise Caution
There are several pressure washer training hacks you can apply to ensure safe practices.
- Test the pressure washer nozzle before using it for cleaning. This is a great pressure washer training tip because it helps you master the equipment and avoid injury or property damage. Usually, the nozzles are coded by color. For example, red is for blasting dirt and produces a straight water jet, while yellow is for stripping and releases water at a 15-degree angle. There are also green (25 degrees for lifting ), grey/white (40 degrees for spraying), and black (65 degrees for soaping).
- Check your strength. Are you feeling tired from inadequate sleep, a long night, or exercise the previous day? If you're too tired to operate a pressure washer, don't. Accidents happen when you lose focus.
- Look at weather updates and go outside. If it's extremely windy and rainy, it's not the best day to use your pressure washer. Strong winds can easily redirect water trajectory and cause injury or property damage.
- Check all electrical wires and connections near the spray area. Wrap them to avoid contact with water or move your operating site if possible.
- Do not work from elevated heights or ladders. Slip and fall accidents could occur.
- Listen to the pressure washer when you switch it on. Does it sound strange? Are there unusual sounds coming from the engine? If yes, schedule pressure washer maintenance immediately to confirm the source of the problem.
5. Know Your Environment
Using gas-powered pressure washers in poorly ventilated spaces is hazardous. CO2 poisoning can occur in enclosed spaces due to combustion. If you have a gas-powered pressure washer, make sure you use it outside.
Also, gas-powered pressure washers tend to be noisy. If you work in an enclosed space, the sound will be amplified. Try to work outside and wear earmuffs. Lastly, if there are children, pets, slippery surfaces, and electrical lines near you, either postpone work, remove the danger, or move to a different work location.
6. Invest Time in Training
Using gas-powered pressure washers in poorly ventilated spaces is hazardous. CO2 poisoning can occur in enclosed spaces due to combustion. If you have a gas-powered pressure washer, make sure you use it outside.
Also, gas-powered pressure washers tend to be noisy. If you work in an enclosed space, the sound will be amplified. Try to work outside and wear earmuffs. Lastly, if there are children, pets, slippery surfaces, and electrical lines near you, either postpone work, remove the danger, or move to a different work location.
conclusion
Pressure washers are excellent machines that enable you to clean homes, vehicles, parking lots, and more quickly and efficiently. Training is important to ensure safety when operating a pressure washer. NorTex Sales & Service is your one-stop shop for pressure washers and pressure washer training. Contact us for services in Dallas, Kilgore, and Odessa.
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