What’s New at WJTA – Hydrodemolition Committee, Webinars and Training
WJTA Forms Hydrodemolition Committee
A new committee has been formed to address issues such as education, safety, training and the environment pertaining to the use of high-pressure waterjets in concrete removal applications.
Hydrodemolition uses high pressure waterjets to remove deteriorated concrete, leaving rebar and structurally sound concrete in place. The technology is growing in acceptance due to its advantages over traditional mechanical concrete removal methods including increased productivity, environmental advantages, and worker safety. Traditional jackhammering generates high amounts of noise, silica dust, vibration/repetitive strain risks and other issues.
WJTA Webinars
WJTA’s well-received series of live webinars has continued with a four-part series on turnarounds which are now available on-demand for association members. The Turnarounds Series covered increased productivity, risk mitigation, COVID-19 precautions, job tracking and KPIs, and dos and don’ts of exchanger cleaning.
Another recent webinar – Confined Space Entry Safety – was presented on Oct. 13 by Jon Langlee and Dan Lattner of First Strike Safety Solutions. Although the number of confined space entry incidents across the industry has improved, there remain far too many preventable incidents and fatalities. The webinar offered an overview of regulations, permitting, rescue and general safety considerations and is now available on-demand for WJTA members.
WJTA has two additional free webinars – Leadership in the Field: How to Successfully Manage Hydroblasting Operators and Grounding and Bonding in Vacuum Operations – scheduled through the end of 2020 and plans to continue the live webinar series into 2021.
WJTA Training Update
WJTA held its second in-person train-the-trainer session of the year on Oct. 6-7 at the Houston Area Safety Council (HASC) in Pasadena, Texas. Nine candidates received the WJTA Field Verification training and the association’s Train-the-Trainer course to become credentialed as Verified Trainers.
The course was led by two WJTA Master Trainers and included classroom and hands-on instruction and evaluation on system setup, pre-job inspection, manual high-pressure cleaning operations, and job completion across shotgunning, flex lancing, and line moleing applications.
The new Verified Trainers can deliver hands-on WJTA Hydroblaster Field Verification to customers or trainees within their organizations.
Automation Training and Certification
WJTA’s hands-on hydroblast operator training and certification has focused primarily on instruction in manual cleaning methods. The general industry trend, however, is towards the use of robotic or automated cleaning which allows the operator to remotely control the cleaning process at a distance.
Several contractors and asset owners have requested a standardized automation curriculum. The WJTA training committee is actively drafting a course which will cover safe and effective operating principles across a range of applications and types of equipment.
WJTA Corporate Member Directory Released
The annual WJTA Corporate Member Directory is a print compilation of the association’s corporate members. WJTA’s corporate members are specialists in the markets of high-pressure waterjet technology, industrial cleaning and related industries. The Directory includes the latest news on member services, supplies and equipment highlighted in promotions. Corporate members are listed alphabetically with key contacts, contact information and detailed company descriptions. The Directory can be used to find a supplier/service provider and as a networking tool encouraging member-to-member contact.
The 2020-2021 Corporate Member Directory is limited to WJTA members in good standing and is free as a benefit of membership.
