Pressure Washing Safety: How to Avoid a Pressure Washer Injury

 

While using a pressure washer to clean hard surfaces like roads, floors, and driveways may seem like a good idea, it does come with certain risks.

As a powerful tool that can be used across a wide range of industries, pressure washing uses a high-pressure stream of water to blast away the dirt and debris, which is rather hard and challenging.

Acting as a double-edged sword, when misused, the high-pressure stream of water can cause serious injuries in minutes.

Key Takeaways

• Pressure washers clean effectively but can cause serious injuries if misused.
• Minor cuts can lead to infections or worse if untreated.
• High-pressure water can send objects hurtling at high speeds.
• Use equipment safely to avoid shocks or poisoning.
• Wet surfaces increase the chance of accidents.
• Wear protective gear, check equipment, and prep the area before washing.
• Treat injuries immediately; severe cases need professional care.
• Test equipment, use grounded outlets, and avoid pointing the washer at people or pets.
• They cause cuts, bruises, infections, and serious conditions like compartment syndrome.
• For safer, expert cleaning, consult a pressure washing service.

Pressure Washer Injury: What Are the Risks?

Meant to work like a sharp blade, the high-pressure water stream can cut through your skin, injure eyes, cause infections, and even lead to shocks in disastrous circumstances.

Let’s take a closer look:

1. Deceivingly Minor Wounds such as deep cuts, puncture wounds, lacerations, and bruises are some of the common risks of using pressure washing. While appearing negligible in the beginning, delaying treatment can cause infection, disability, or amputation.
2. Sends Objects Flying here and there. That’s right, when handled improperly, high-pressure water can displace the objects around, shatter glass, and send them flying your way at dangerous speeds that can result in serious injuries.
3. Electric Shock is yet another risk of using a motor-powered pressure washer as water and electricity do not go well together. So check for any leaks or damage on the wires and follow the safety instructions before using the device.
4. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is a by-product of pressure washing especially if you use a gasoline-powered pressure washer. Under no circumstances should you use such machines inside a building or indoors; unless the gasoline engine sits outside in proper ventilation.
5. Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents are rare but risky nonetheless. Being a matter of water, that too in high pressure, there is always a chance of a mishap or accident. When conducting such exercises, it is better to refrain from having a lot of people around.

What are the proper techniques for safe pressure washing?

As risky as it may be, there are proper techniques when it comes to pressure washing a house to ensure a safe and sound cleaning and washing process –

• Wear protective gear at all times when using a pressure washer regardless of the area. This includes gearing up with safety goggles, gloves, and sturdy footwear as well as covering your entire body with a protective suit.
• Start with low pressure initially and slowly build the pressure up as you gain better control over the machine. This will allow you to handle the pressure washer with better precision and avoid any accidents or mishaps.
• Maintain a Safe Distance when using a pressure washer and keep the nozzle pointed away towards the surface. Make sure to keep a distance of about 6 to 12 inches from the surface that you are targeting.
• Use the Correct Nozzle as each pressure washer comes with a variety of different nozzle tips that are built specifically for different types of areas and tasks. The narrower the nozzle tip, the higher the water pressure, and the riskier it is.
• Keep the Nozzle Pointed Away and never target it at any human, animal, or even any object that can be thrown away by the pressure. Also, only turn on the device once you are all set to use it and once the nozzle is pointed straight towards the surface that you want to clean.
• Check the Surface Beforehand to ensure no loose materials or sharp objects can fly away from the high-pressure water and cause harm. Sweeping the area with a broom before pressure watering is a safe way to get going.

 

 

What are the first aid tips for pressure washer wounds?

In case of any injuries or wounds, stop the machine and address the person who has been harmed. Here’s how you can do it:

• Assess the injury and its severity. If the wound is too deep or unclear, then contact a professional healthcare or doctor immediately.
• Clean the wound if it is minor and treatable at home. To do that safely, first, clean the wound with an antiseptic or soap to remove any dirt or bacteria.
• Stop the bleeding by applying pressure using a cloth or bandage.
• Monitor for infection by looking for signs such as swelling, redness, rashes, and discharge, and seek medical help if the symptoms persist.
• Get professional help for severe injuries like deep cuts, puncture wounds, or eye injuries. Do not take it lightly!

Safety Precautions

To avoid any injuries or accidents from occurring in the first place, you might want to follow the safety instructions and any specific guidelines listed on the user manual of the pressure washer.

Things to do

• Always test the circuit breaker or the power outlet before connecting the pressure washer.
• Make sure both the pressure washer and the power outlet are properly grounded for shock resistance.
• If you are using an extension cable to reach the target area, then make sure it does not touch the ground or standing water at any point.
• Wear rubber-made gloves and boots that are meant for pressure washing or heavy-duty work.
• Take assistance from a professional electrician if it trips the power.

Things NOT to do

• Never point the pressure washer at yourself or others including objects and animals.
• Do not attempt to play or push around objects using a pressure washer.
• Refrain from using a gasoline-powered pressure washer inside a building or enclosed spaces unless the engine is outside in open ventilation.
• Never make any cuts and joints in the pressure washer’s power cord or extension cords.
• Never remove the grounding prong.
• Keep the children and pets away from the area and the pressure washer.

What Are the Types of Pressure Washer Injuries?

Again, an improper use of a pressure washer can lead to various kinds of wounds and injuries. For instance,

Lacerations:

Lacerations are deep cuts or tears in the skin or flesh that can easily result from a pressure washer, especially when using a narrow nozzle tip.

Infections:

A pressure washer can not only cut through your skin but can also inject dirt and bacteria into it which can lead to puncture wounds and, in worst-case scenarios, even infections.

Eye Injuries:

In the absence of safety goggles, high-pressure water can damage your eyes by causing scratches and abrasions.

Bruises:

High water pressure through wider or bigger nozzles can bruise your blood vessels or muscles upon direct contact.

Compartment Syndrome:

The high pressure of water can induce jolts in the muscles and reduce the blood pressure which prevents oxygens from reaching the muscles and organs properly. It can lead to severe pain, swelling, numbness, paraesthesia, and immobility.

 

 

Conclusion

As you can see, using a pressure washer is a delicate job that requires utmost precision, strength, and focus.

As effective as it is, the process of pressuring washing can lead to severe injuries and mishaps if not handled carefully.

From minor cuts and bruises to long-term infections and permanent damage, the risks of a pressure washer injury are more than ever without proper precautions and safety.

To avoid any accidents and injuries, it is always recommended to use protective gear such as safety goggles, gloves, and boots when indulging in pressure washing.

Or to be safe, you can always contact a professional pressure washing service like Sandiego Pressure Washing. For expert help, visit our service areas to access professional cleaning service designed to restore and protect you from injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. Can a pressure washer cut you?

Ans: Yes, high-pressure water from a pressure washer can lead to both minor and deep cuts, especially, if the nozzle is too narrow or the pressure too high.

Q 2. At what pressure will water cut skin?

Ans: Anything at or above 100 psi of pressure can penetrate unbroken skin and lead to cuts and lacerations.

Q 3. What are the most common pressure washer wounds?

Ans: Bruises, cuts, lacerations, and infections are some of the most common pressure washer wounds with eye injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning being a few others.

Q 4. I accidentally power-washed my foot. What do I do?

Ans: Look for any injury or wound and the severity of it to figure out whether it needs professional medical attention or whether it can be treated at home. In the case of the latter, clean the wound using a soap or antiseptic and apply a bandage.