A new unified code of practice has been launched to promote safety across all forms of water jetting.

Developed by the Water Jetting Association (WJA), the code is being described as the biggest step forward in industry standardisation for decades.

The unified set of standards is designed to help minimise all risks associated with water jetting, including fluid injection injuries that can cause serious harm and even fatalities.

Known as the WJA Black Code, it sets safety standards for all types of water jetting, including pressure washing, sewer jetting, industrial cleaning, surface preparation and hydrodemolition.

It brings together standards previously defined in three separate WJA codes of practice.

WJA Chairman Lee O’Callaghan says: “Our new single code of practice represents the biggest step forward in defined water jetting standards since the WJA introduced its first code in 1982.

“It’s an exciting and important milestone for the WJA, our members and for every organisation that uses water jetting. There is now one code for water jetting across all pressures.

“It will also be easier for procurement professionals and users of water jetting services to specify water jetting standards, which is critical given the hazards associated with the process.

“All they now have to do is to require contractors to comply with the WJA code of practice.”

The Health and Safety Executive has advised on the development of the new code of practice and will refer to it as industry best practice when carrying out investigations into possible safety lapses.

The WJA, the trade body for the water jetting industry, says this reinforces the importance of contractors following the code when carrying out their work.

At all pressure levels, water jetting presents significant safety risks. This is why, over more than 30 years, the WJA developed its highly respected codes of practice, each known by the colour of its cover.

The Blue Code for high and ultra-high pressure water jetting was the first, followed by the Red Code for water jetting in sewers and drains. The Purple Code for pressure washers was launched in 2024.

The WJA Black Code, which features a black cover, brings these three codes together in a fully revised and updated format designed to be easier to use.

Lee O’Callaghan says: “In its digital format, via the WJA App, the new WJA Black Code is easier to search than ever before, so water jetting teams can rapidly find the guidance they need.

“We hope these significant ease-of-use advances mean the WJA Black Code will come to be used as a daily reference guide on worksites across the UK.

“We hope it will lead to many more companies, delivering all types of water jetting, using it to create their safe systems of work and their risk assessments and method statements.”

All relevant guidance and topics from the three previous codes have been retained, but in a more joined-up and accessible format. These include:

• Organisation and duties of water jetting teams

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Types of water jetting units

• Hose assemblies: inspection and testing

• Frost precautions

• Safe use of equipment

Additional guidance has also been included, with the links between different pressure ranges and water jetting applications made clearer. This will help contractors develop and deliver a wider range of water jetting services safely and consistently.

The new WJA Black Code will continue to underpin the WJA’s City & Guilds-approved water jetting training programme, the most extensive in the UK, with more than 22,000 operatives trained every year.

Every operative who attends and passes a WJA training course will be given access to the new code of practice via the WJA App.

For more information, visit www.waterjetting.org.uk.