CLEANING “A competent
water jetting operative is at least 50% more
productive than one who is
not. Not just occasionally but every day. That is money saved and more money made for his or her employer.”
Card. It is a qualification for life. But the operative will have to follow WJA procedure and retake the Safety Awareness course every three years.
Safety and productivity gains This new WJA competency diploma maps directly across to an NVQ 2 Construction Skills course. It qualifies operatives to hold a CSCS card. It defines water jetting in all its forms as the skilled work it is.
What, then, do employers get from investing in this enhanced skills training? Firstly, some peace of mind. If an incident occurs, the HSE will immediately be looking for proof of competence. Structured learning and assessment through the WJA will provide that.
In 2018/19, total fines imposed by courts after successful HSE prosecutions amounted to £54.5m. Proof of competency will help mitigate such financial risks. More importantly, and positively, competent people are more productive.
I find some people think of a pressure washer as a smarter kind of broom. They are wrong on so many levels, not just safety. A competent water jetting operative is at least 50% more productive than one who is not. Not just occasionally but every day. That is money saved and more money made for his or her employer. Competence equals happy customers and profitable cleaning contracts.
person team must have at least one competent person. A three-person team must have two competent members.
Achieving water jetting competence Our new competent water jetting diploma will enshrine this concept in our training and skills learning programme for the first time. It will be achieved through a competence monitoring scheme.
Operatives will first have to take and pass the WJA Safety Awareness course (one-day) plus the Surface Preparation practical module (one day) and one other practical module. All of them are accredited by City & Guilds.
Then, they enter a process of work-based assessment. We would expect this to take about a year. But it could last longer, for example 18 months or more, depending on specific circumstances. Proof of competence cannot be rushed.
Water jetting operatives will be given a workbook. They will have to record all water jetting work, signed off by their workplace supervisors. This is key to demonstrating that the operative is working to a competent standard.
A WJA-accredited assessor will also visit work sites, usually three to four times, during the assessment process. This will ensure the operative is being assessed to the right standards. Achievement levels will be recorded.
At the end the assessment process, if all goes well and the operative passes, they will receive a WJA Competency
www.tomorrowsfm.com
Improving management skills Another new WJA course will support this drive for structured and measurable proof of competent use of water jetting systems. The WJA Management and Leadership Course will also be accredited by City & Guilds.
Managers who have oversight responsibility for water jetting will learn about legislation and regulation for water jetting, hazard awareness, risk management, different types of water jetting, and WJA Red and Blue Codes of Practice for water jetting, and much more.
Businesses who want the benefits of having competent water jetting operatives will also want their managers to have the knowledge and practical skills to manage them properly.
Access to water jetting systems, and their range of uses, has broadened in recent years, not least in the facilities management sector. So, it’s vital that a wider range of managers understand how they work and the risks that need to be controlled.
To pass the course, management delegates will have to complete an end-of-course test and submit a written assessment to the WJA-approved instructor within 30 days of attendance.
Water jetting is a powerful tool for FM providers. As a method for cleaning, alone, it delivers fast, effective and sustainable results. Through the WJA, contractors can now assure clients of the competence of their teams. As a result, major benefits, including safer service delivery and improved profitability, will flow.
www.waterjetting.org.uk TOMORROW’S FM | 47
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