WM-GL-BR-HSE-0614 Rev - 1

Sec2.63 Hydro-Blasting Page 1 of 5

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to address control measures to protect Brown & Root
employees and contractors from hazards associated with hydro-blasting operations.

2.0 SCOPE

This standard applies to all B operations where water is forcibly applied to a surface by
pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. It may also apply to steam blasting, or steam cleaning, or
other hydraulic cleaning methods where this work is done with the aid of additives. Local
laws and regulations may prevail where applicable.

3.0 REVISION SUMMARY

Rev 0 – 01 SEPT 15 Issued for USE

Rev 1 – 14 April 2020, reviewed for current practices, reformatted header, footer and
document

4.0 PRIOR TO STARTING A PROJECT

Several considerations should be made prior to starting an industrial hydro-blasting project.

Do all of the items or just some of them require blasting? Many times, components of an
item that do not need corrosion resistant coating, receive blasting and painting in an overall
project. Consider alternative processes. Other determinations to be made prior to the
project include which party, (the owner or the contractor) if permitted, will the project
emissions be accounted to; which party will be responsible for the handling, transporting,
and disposing of hazardous waste; and which party is responsible for record maintenance.

5.0 PRECAUTIONS FOR WATER CLEANING

Wash water runoff shall be channeled through filter fences before discharging to holding
tank/recycling plant. The runoff shall be filtered through suitable filter to reduce the
discharge particulates. The filter material shall be periodically removed and replaced to
maintain effectiveness. Runoff Water may periodically pool in the area of the filter fence due
to sediment, grit, or other particulates becoming trapped. When this occurs, the obstructing
material shall be cleaned up immediately and disposed of in a designated waste bin. Any
activity which has potential of electric shock shall be not be carried out at close proximity to
water cleaning operations and all electric equipment shall be adequately protected against
ingress water spray/moisture.

6.0 WATER-BLASTING / HYDRO-BLASTING – MARINE AREAS

6.1 Follow these precautions when water-blasting/hydro-blasting is performed either to

clean sediment or marine growth from a vessel hull or to remove the top layers of
hull paint. These techniques shall generate large volumes of water with the potential
of transporting existing pollutants to surface waters.

6.2 Water-blasting/hydro-blasting shall not be conducted unless prior cleanup of the dry
dock or marine railway floor lids is completed. Runoff generated from water-
blasting/hydro-blasting shall not be allowed to discharge directly into surface waters.
All discharges shall flow into an approved treatment unit or into a holding tank. The
design flow of the collection and treatment system shall be adequate to receive the
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Sec2.63 Hydro-Blasting Page 2 of 5

blasting runoff flow rates. Prior to entering floor drains and sumps, blasting runoff
may also be channeled through filtering units which will be designed to catch most of
the particles of paint and marine growth. The effluent discharge from the runoff
water treatment shall meet the local harbor discharge standards. All pump
connections, valves, meters and couplings shall be watertight. Leaks shall be
immediately repaired when discovered.

7.0 HOUSEKEEPING

General Housekeeping – Keep lids on waste and supply containers, trash off of the floors,
and clean up spills immediately. Keep Wastes Separated – Avoid mixing different kinds of
hazardous wastes. Also, keep hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams separated. To
avoid slips and falls, all hydro-blasting must be completed from a stable work surface.
When working at height, no ladders, step stools, benches, etc. are to be used. Use only
approved scaffolding or platforms that are job specific. Hydro-blasting hoses/ nozzles work
under great force, and recoil forces may push you off a ladder or stool. Only use approved
MEWPs, scaffolds or job specific platforms. If it is unfeasible to perform work on approved
platforms/ equipment as described above, ask a Supervisor for direction.

8.0 INVENTORY CONTROL

Purchase any chemicals to be used in hydro-blasting in the smallest quantities possible.

Allow older materials to be used or returned before the expiration dates, if any.

9.0 HYDRO-BLASTING PERMITS

9.1 All appropriate permits shall be acquired, properly completed, and reviewed by the
Supervisor prior to performing any work.

9.2 A pre-operational, operational, and post-operational hydro-blasting permit must be

developed by the site or contractor performing the work. At minimum the permit shall
include: job description and equipment being cleaned, precautions taken to protect
electrical equipment, maximum operating pressure, and list of qualified personnel.

9.3 At minimum, the permit shall include:

9.3.1 job description and equipment/surface(s) being cleaned

9.3.2 precautions taken to protect electrical equipment
9.3.3 maximum operating pressure
9.3.4 list of qualified personnel, Supervisor, and watch (if required)
9.3.5 all required PPE

10.0 SIGNS AND BARRICADES

Adequate barricades and signs should be in place to protect personnel when approaching
all ends of the equipments being cleaned. The system shall be shut down and
depressurized any time the barricade is violated, the equipment malfunctions (special
attention should be given to the dump control valve), repairs need to be made, or the system
is left unattended.
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11.0 INSPECTIONS

Prior to beginning work, the operator shall inspect the high-pressure unit and hoses for
defects, proper fluid levels and filters, and properly sized/rated end fittings. Employees
performing hydro-blasting work should, at a minimum, wear waterproof body protection, eye
protection, head protection including a full-face shield, waterproof foot protection with
integral steel toes, or steel toe caps, appropriate hand protection, and hearing protection,
and any other PPE appropriate to or required by the work environment or client. Objects to
be cleaned shall never be held manually.

12.0 BLASTING OPERATIONS

12.1 Hydro-blasting which utilizes high pressure liquid as the propelling force or as the
cleaning agent shall have an opacity of emissions that does not exceed 5%.
Substitute less hazardous solvent degreasers (aqueous-based solvents are less
hazardous than petroleum-based solvents) where possible. Less toxic solvents
include dibasic acid esters, amines, and alcohol.

12.2 Use other means such as air blast cleaning instead of solvent when possible, to
strip paint, rust, or soils from a part. Reclaim any solvents used for reuse. Either
on-site or off-site filtration, gravity separation, or distillation may be used to
reclaim solvents. Save clean-up solvent to use later as thinner for paint of the
same color. Keep cleaning baths covered when not in use to reduce cleaner or
solvent evaporation. Extend solvent life by pre-cleaning parts (wipe with a rag or
using an air blower).

13.0 DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Waste, which may include used filters, rags, and paint and solvent containers, must be
packaged and labeled properly for shipping. A registered hazardous-waste transporter must
take the waste to an approved facility. You shall complete a Uniform Hazardous Waste
Manifest each time hazardous waste is hauled. The green copy of the manifest stays at the
site of origination which is signed by transporter, the yellow copy is kept by the transporter,
the pink copy is kept at the disposal facility and the white copy, which is returned to the site
of origination with all signatures.

14.0 TRAINING

14.1 Employees shall be trained on the hazards of hydro-blasting (including

penetration of the skin by high pressure water), operating procedures, and
maintenance of hydro-blasters prior to performing hydro-blasting work.

14.2 The training must addresspermit

14.3 the potential hazards to the human body by cutting through a piece of lumber,
concrete block, or rubber boot using hydro-blasting equipment. The students
must be taught that If an accident should occur and high-pressure water
penetrates the skin, medical attention must be provided immediately.

15.0 SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT

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15.1 Each type of equipment has its particular advantages in producing the quality of
work desired, and the selection will depend on the specific requirements of the
user, however there are some commonalities.

15.2 To prevent an operator placing their hand in front of the nozzle while it’s in
operation, the minimum total length of a hydro-blasting gun (hand-operated
control valve, lance and nozzle resembling a gun layout) shall be 66 inches from
the shoulder pad to the nozzle.

15.3 Properly sized anti-reversal device (stinger assembly attached to a nozzle to

prevent it from turning around inside a pipe or large tube) shall be used
throughout the task. The combined length of the hose connection, stinger, and
nozzle shall be a minimum of 1.5 times the diameter of the pipe being cleaned
unless the pipe being cleaned has a "T" then the combined length shall be 3
times the diameter of the largest pipe.

15.4 A moleing device or lance shall require a minimum 2-foot end identification when
a pipe flange is available. If no flange or other means to secure anti-reversal
device is used, the hose/lance shall require a 2-foot end identification marking
and a 4-foot end identification marking of a different color (or different pattern).
The blast cleaning nozzles shall be equipped with an operating valve (on the gun
itself or a foot pedal) which must be held open manually and always under the
control of the operator. Upon release of the operator’s hand or foot pressure
(whether unintentional or not) the flow will immediately shutoff to the nozzle.

15.5 With properly designed equipment and proper operation and maintenance all
types of equipment can be used safely. Irrelevant of whatever type of equipment
is used, a system is not to be operated above the lowest working pressure (40%
of the burst pressure) of any of its components. However, equipment which
creates the minimum hazard should be used wherever feasible. In all cases, at
minimum the hydro-blasting team will consist of a pump operator and a nozzle
operator.

16.0 PARTICULATES / DUST HAZARDS DUE TO HYDRO-BLASTING

16.1 The surface coatings on the materials that are blasted are shattered and
pulverized during blasting operations and the dust formed after drying may
contain particles of respirable size. The composition and toxicity of the dust from
these sources shall be considered in making an evaluation of the potential health
hazards.

16.2 The potential hazard from steel or iron dust is considered to be minimal.

16.3 Readily combustible organic particulates may be pulverized fine enough to be

capable of forming explosive mixtures with air.

16.4 A surface coating formed during the fabrication of a part, or a protective coating
applied after fabrication, may be removed and dispersed by hydro-blasting. The
type of coating should be known to make a proper evaluation of the potential
hazard.
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Sec2.63 Hydro-Blasting Page 5 of 5

16.5 Silica sand is frequently embedded in the surface of castings and may be
pulverized by blast cleaning.

16.6 Coatings containing toxic metals will add to the potential seriousness of the dust
exposures. Examples of such coatings are anti-fouling paints containing
mercury, lead paints on structural steel, cadmium plating, and lead deposits on
pistons of internal combustion engines.

16.7 Plastic or resin coatings may be decomposed by the action of the hydro-blasting
to form irritating by-products.

16.8 Wet Methods. Wet methods will tend to keep dust exposures minimal, but
droplets disperse and dried residues which become airborne may create
potential exposure hazards.

16.9 Concentrations of Contaminants. The concentration of respirable dust or fumes

in the breathing zone of the hydro-blasting operator or any other worker shall be
kept below the recommended levels.

16.10 Where flammable or explosive dust mixtures may be present, the construction of
the equipment, including the exhaust system and all electric wiring shall conform
to the requirements of American National Standard Installation of Blower and
Exhaust Systems for Dust, Stock, and Vapor Removal or Conveying, Z 33.1-
1961 (NFPA 91-1961; NBFU 91-1961), and chapter 296-24 Part L. The blast
nozzle shall be bonded and grounded to prevent the buildup of static charges.

16.11 Where flammable or explosive dust mixtures may be present, the hydro-blasting
enclosure, the ducts, and the dust collector, shall be constructed with loose
panels or explosion venting areas located on sides away from any occupied area
to provide for pressure relief in case of explosion following the principles set forth
in NFPA 68-1954.