Any high-quality pressure washing training program for employees should cover the issues described below. Employers: Use this article as a checklist to make sure your workers are well primed. Consumers: While you’re shopping around for a commercial pressure washer, review this article to assess each firm’s preparedness.
Avoiding Damage to the Surface Being Cleaned
Too much pressure, the wrong cleaning solution, and/or incorrect pressure washing technique can cause serious harm to clients’ property. Therefore, commercial pressure washers must train their workers in these areas. If your pressure washing equipment is set up to emit cleaning chemicals other than water, you are better prepared to remove oily, greasy stains. On the other hand, if these harsher cleaning chemicals are used the wrong way, damage could occur. Therefore, a well-trained commercial pressure washer should have received training in the best ways to safely remove a cornucopia of grime from a wide variety of materials.
Caring for Commercial Pressure Washing Equipment
Modern power washers may shoot heated water, steam, cold water, and chemical cleaners. As you can imagine, these machines are complicated. They must receive regular maintenance. In addition to machine maintenance (changing the oil, replacing the fuel pump, etc.), employees should be trained in how to properly use each commercial pressure washer in your company inventory.
Safeguarding the Environment
Toxins, including heavy metals, are flushed downstream by power washers that don’t collect their wastewater. If you hope to run a green power washing company, make sure you train your employees in how wastewater can harm the environment. You’ll also want to educate workers on how to collect wastewater, and how to transport it to the proper disposal facilities. Finally, certain commercial pressure washers use chemical cleaning solutions for extra tough jobs; if you want to be an eco-friendly power washing group, make sure you train workers in how to use earth-friendly cleaning mixtures.
Preventing Injury
Imagine 4,000 pounds of pressure blasting your hand. Some commercial power washers can indeed squirt water at this level of pressure, which is definitely enough to remove dirt – and flesh, if improperly aimed. Here are the most common pressure washing injuries:
1. Electrical Shock
Certain pressure washers are gas-powered, while others are designed to be plugged into outlets and powered by electricity. To prevent electric shock, workers should wear rubber-soled shoes. They should also be trained to avoid pulling power cords through puddles. Finally, commercial pressure washers should always plug pressure washing equipment into GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets.
2. Abrasions
Like guns, power washing equipment should never be aimed at animals or people. If someone does get hit with the spray of a commercial pressure washer, excruciating skin abrasions can result. Commercial pressure washers are also powerful enough to move objects, which can be hazardous if they hit others.
3. Monoxide Poisoning
Gas-powered commercial power washers should not be used in confined spaces; otherwise, monoxide poisoning can occur.
If you run a commercial pressure washing company, ensure that your employee training program is comprehensive. To protect your company and your reputation, you also should carry three different types of insurance: 1) Equipment Insurance, to protect your commercial pressure washers, 2) Worker’s Compensation, in case one of your employees gets hurt, and 3) Liability Insurance, to protect you against damage to clients’ property.
