NEWSDESK
drain TRADER
Social distance learning... Water jetting training during Covid-19
Drainage operatives are a close-knit bunch but when it comes towater jetting training right now, a little bit of distance learning is applicable, even in the classroom.
Water Jetting Association (WJA) training providers and instructors areworkingwith drainage and utility contractors to deliver vital training as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
That has involved putting in place robust measures, including social distancing and the wearing of facemasks in the training room, to maximise personal safety.
Darren Hamilton is aWJA-approved training instructor and amember of the association’s training and safety committee. He has been “flat out” runningwater jetting courses since theWJA approved the resumption of training on 4th July.
He said: “We’re catching upwith ourwater jetting training programme that has been suspended for 19weeks, and training does take longer under COVID-19 restrictions. Butwe’remanaging.”
The signage on the training roomdoor tells you theWJA COVID-19 rules and guidelines are in place. A company sign states only six people are allowed in at any one time, and the big yellow notice stating “RoomCOVID-19 Cleared” indicates that the aWJA risk assessment of the space has been carried out, and training can take place.
Inside,Darren Hamilton is leading operatives through the class-based element of theWJA’s drain and sewer practicalmodule. Spread out, with empty chairs and desk space between them, their eyes stare intently at a screen, just above the mandatory facemasks covering their noses and mouths.
TheWJA has stipulated that any forms that need to be filled out and returned by operatives, including test papers, need to be laminated sheets, completedwithwipeable pens. These can then be disinfected after use.
Darren Hamilton has chosen, instead, to take operatives through the test questions on screen, reading out the questions, aswell as showing them.
“Forme, this is the bestway to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” he said. “I read out the question aswell, becausewhen shown on the screen, some delegates can have difficulty reading them.
“We always have to bemindful of people having different learning capabilities, but the COVID-19 pandemic has concentratesminds evenmore.
62 drain TRADER | October 2020 |
www.draintraderltd.com
Two-way communication during the training is vital to ensure everyone gets themost out of the experience, doeswell in the test, and leaves the training roombest able to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
“This, and the smaller groups, are reasonswhy training is taking longer. But in some respects, COVID-19may have the effect of improving training outcomes because the safetymeasures focusminds and require us all to concentrate harder on the job of teaching and learning.
“So far delegates have coped verywell. They understand the need for procedures and standards. They come together fromdifferent sites so realise they need to socially distance to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Some question the need for restrictions but I point out they’re there formy safety asmuch as theirs.”
During practical training,which is completed outdoors, social distancing continues,with delegates remaining at least onemetre apart, though only jettingmasksmust beworn as
operatives are put through their paces.
TheWJA has issued its training providers and instructorswith a full suite of documentation to support the training process. Alongwith the risk assessment form, it includes a pre-start checklist to ensure all possiblemeasures are in place to minimise COVID-19 risks.
There is a ‘face-to-face’ procedures document, joining instructions, screening questions, to identify at risk individuals, a COVID-19 vulnerability tool, and a special post-course evaluation form.
The response to the resumption ofwater jetting training has been positive, said John Jones, Chairman of theWJA Training and Safety Committee.
He added: “Measureswe’ve introduced have been robust and have dovetailedwellwith those implemented by client organisations.We’re continuouslymonitoring progress andwill amend our procedures and guidance as andwhen required.”
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