MSAPMWJ301A
Operate a high pressure water jetting system

This unit of competency covers the operation of a high pressure water jetting system which may be used to clean, prepare, abrade, cut or demolish concrete, steel or other plant, equipment, vessels or infrastructure. This work is undertaken in compliance with AS/NZS 4233.1: 2013 High Pressure Water Jetting Systems Part 1. Safe Operation and Maintenance, or its authorised replacement and Safe Work Australia Guide for Managing Risks from High Pressure Water Jetting December 2013, its state equivalent (where one exists) or the authorised replacement.

Application

In a typical scenario, one or more operators (the number of operators is to be in accordance with the standard) will operate a high pressure water jetting system. AS/NZS 4233.1:2013 defines this work as work with:

(a) High pressure water jetting systems pressurised by positive displacement pumps with an output capability greater than 800 bar litres per minute.

(b) High pressure water jetting operations carried out at pressures above 800 bar litres per minute and includes jetting operations involving the use of additives and abrasives.

(c) Water jetting operations below 800 bar litres per minute where there is a foreseeable risk of injury to operators.

It further defines:

High pressure water jetting systems with an output capability greater than 800 bar litres per minute and less than 5600 bar litres per minute are identified as Class A and systems with an output capability in excess of 5600 bar litres per minute are identified as Class B.

The competent operator as defined by this unit of competency will be able to operate independently. Operators who are not competent to operate independently should be competent to operate under supervision (refer to MSAPMWJ201A Use high pressure water jetting equipment).

Operators will also need to be competent in a range of other units of competency in order to be allowed to operate independently on site. Work will be undertaken on a worksite which may be a client's site or a site belonging to the organisation.

AS/NZS 4233.1:2013 states that ' Verification of competency or refresher training on high pressure water jetting operations shall be carried out and documented at appropriate intervals not exceeding two years to ensure the continued competency of operators'.


Prerequisites

Not applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Prepare for work

1.1

Obtain required job details

1.2

Complete site access and work control requirements

1.3

Identify site hazards and required hazard controls

1.4

Prepare equipment required for the job

1.5

Complete personnel requirements

1.6

Complete required pre-work paperwork

2

Complete on-site preparation

2.1

Arrive at site ready for job

2.2

Liaise with job owner as part of preparation

2.3

Obtain required permits/work authorities

2.4

Interpret and follow job pack

2.5

Check available water

2.6

Check waste disposal

2.7

Recognise and control job and site-specific hazards

2.8

Communicate needs back to base

3

Set up job

3.1

Prepare worksite

3.2

Set up water jetting equipment

3.3

Liaise with other work groups, as appropriate

3.4

Establish appropriate means of communication between operators

3.5

Ensure hazard controls are operational and adequate

3.6

Liaise with job owner, as required

3.7

Select key variables

3.8

Check and use required personal protective equipment

3.9

Test emergency shut-off

4

Undertake water jetting job in accordance with procedures

4.1

Start up high pressure water jetting system

4.2

Communicate as appropriate

4.3

Operate equipment to proceed with job, as specified

4.4

Monitor job conditions

4.5

Monitor job and equipment and take appropriate action

4.6

Maintain required line of sight

4.7

Monitor hazards and activate emergency stop, as required

4.8

Diagnose faults and take appropriate action

4.9

Complete required paperwork

5

Complete job

5.1

Shut down equipment

5.2

Liaise with job owner

5.3

Clean job site and equipment

5.4

Service and inspect equipment

5.5

Store equipment

5.6

Restock running spares and consumables

5.7

Report any issues or incidents, as required

5.8

Debrief relevant stakeholders

5.9

Complete required paperwork

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

recognising conditions which will lead to out of specification product or unsafe situation

implementing the enterprise's procedures in a timely manner

using equipment in accordance with procedures and manufacture instructions

conveying information relevant to the operation clearly and effectively

maintaining appropriate levels of environmental controls and quality assurance

determining and applying pressure drop and reaction force

interpreting and applying pressure drop charts and nozzle charts

reading and interpreting safety data sheets (SDS)

recognising equipment problems and taking action to prevent equipment failure

reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents, instrumentation and technical information

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

hazards associated with the process, plant, equipment where water jetting is to be carried out

high pressure water jetting hazards

injuries resulting from high pressure water jets and appropriate responses

application of the hierarchy of control in controlling the hazards

relevant safety signs and symbols

principles of hydraulics

relevant communication systems including hand signals

heat stress, fatigue, hydration, physiology and biomechanics, as applied to water jetting

principles and application of nozzle design

how high pressure water jets work

diesel engine systems

quantitative pressure and flow relationships

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential that use of equipment is understood and that the importance of critical properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective actions.

Holistic assessment of this unit of competency with other related units is preferred.

This unit includes all aspects of MSAWJ201A Use high pressure water jetting equipment. Assessment of this unit should automatically include evidence of competency for MSAWJ201A .

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

hazards are identified and controlled

job is completed efficiently and to required standards

quality is monitored

required measurements/observations are continually made

all health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements are followed

problems are anticipated and appropriate action is taken (i.e. problem fixed or reported).

The assessor should be able to demonstrate competence in water jetting operations and have adequate industry experience (with three to five years being a guideline) in water jetting.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to operating equipment over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operations.

Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures. Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form, and may include:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Australian standards

Guidance Notes

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations

Site access requirements

Site access requirements may include:

site induction

other site/client requirements

Work control requirements

Work control requirements may include:

client/site requirements, such as permits or other authorities to enter site, commence and continue work

Prepare required equipment

Preparation of required equipment may include:

determining equipment required for the job

selecting (e.g. from store) equipment needed for the job

checking equipment is in appropriate condition for the job

checking equipment is within inspection date

loading equipment onto truck or similar, if required

filling fuel and ensuring adequate supply of other consumables

Equipment

Equipment may include:

pump

pump motor/driver

hoses

guns, lances and nozzles

personal protective equipment

other equipment, plant, tools and hazard control devices required by the job

Personnel requirements

Personnel requirements may include:

briefing other team members

participating in/leading toolbox meeting

checking team members are fit for work

other requirements

Job owner

Job owner may include:

client or their representative

site manager or their representative

production manager or their representative

maintenance manager or their representative

other person with prime responsibility for the plant/plant area which is the subject of the water jetting

Job paperwork

Job paperwork may be electronic, hard copy or other format and may include:

tool storeroom records

equipment loaded records

maintenance/inspection records/checklists

tag out/reports for failed equipment

hazard controls

work packs

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment may include:

personal protective equipment as specified in:

Section 4 AS/NZS 4233.1: 2013 High Pressure Water Jetting Systems Part 1. Safe Operation and Maintenance, or its authorised replacement

Section 5 Safe Work Australia Guide for Managing Risks from High Pressure Water Jetting December 2013, or its authorized replacement

medical alert card as specified in Section 9.5 of AS/NZS 4233.1: 2013 High Pressure Water Jetting Systems Part 1. Safe Operation and Maintenance, or its authorised replacement

other equipment as required

Liaise with job owner

Liaise with job owner may include:

confirming job owner needs and standards

confirming job and job site

checking job owner is satisfied with completed job

confirming compliance with site requirements

other job owner communications

Job pack

Job pack may include:

permits/clearances

safe work method statements

job safety and environment analysis (JSEA) or other hazard analysis and control information

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Water

Water is to be checked for appropriate:

amount (volume and pressure)

quality/properties

availability

Waste disposal

Waste disposal checks ensure that waste generated will be disposed of in an environmentally appropriate manner and in accordance with site requirements. Waste may include:

contaminated water

material removed by water jetting

waste fuels

other wastes and emissions

Worksite preparation

Worksite preparation may include:

establishing exclusion zone (e.g. with barricades or tape)

fixing signage

ensuring safe footing for personnel

participating in/verifying isolations

Prepare water jetting equipment

Preparing water jetting equipment may include:

interpreting equipment markings

assembling equipment

checking electrical earth

compliance with relevant Australian standards

flushing equipment

visual inspection of hoses

Communication

Communication may include:

hand signals

radio head phones

other appropriate means

Key variables

Key variables may include:

pressure

flow rate

rpm of pump motor/driver

power of pump motor/driver

nozzle type and size

hose assemblies

control system variables

Hazards

Hazards may include:

high pressure hazards

site/process hazards

hazards arising from materials in job site, including materials being removed by water jetting

hose set-up and hose runs

Hazard controls

Hazard controls may include:

appropriate controls for all hazards identified

controls identified in the relevant permits to work

controls required by AS/NZS 4233.1: 2013 High Pressure Water Jetting Systems Part 1. Safe Operation and Maintenance, or its authorised replacement

other appropriate controls

Job conditions

Job conditions may include:

total work hours (for day/from base)

rest/rotation periods

weather

heat stress symptoms

site conditions

Monitor job and equipment

Monitoring job and equipment includes monitoring:

the pump and its motor (means of providing motive power)

productivity

system efficiency

product quality

mechanical equipment

high pressure jet formation

waste management

hose condition

Appropriate action

Appropriate action includes:

recognising actual and potential problems

determining problems needing action

determining possible fault causes

rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility

following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

Solutions

Solutions may include:

activating emergency stop

stopping work until situation is resolved

raising alarm

responding to injury

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through federal or state/territory legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence


Sectors

Surface finishing


Competency Field

Not applicable


Co-Requisites

Not applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.