Are pressure washers safe? Yes! - providing you follow some simple precautions when using your washer like wearing safety equipment and being aware of what you're aiming your pressure washer at!
Here's some quick tips to keep you safe:
Tips to keep yourself safe when using a pressure Washer
Can a pressure washer cut you?
Yes, a pressure washer can definitely cut into your skin especially if safety measures are not taken, however most injuries are around the depth or size of a paper cut.
Things can get pretty serious though, especially if you do not use in a sensible way and even when safety is of the highest standards, accidents can still happen.
Follow the precautions below, and you'll stay safe when using your pressure washer.
Common injuries caused by a pressure washer
The most common injuries caused by pressure washers are lacerations.
Most people don’t understand just how serious they can be and can lead to infection, which in turn can lead to a whole host of problems. What seems like a minimal skin break can occasionally turn nasty so they're best avoided.
The second most common injury is bruising, which can happen by misdirecting a the powerful spray of a pressure washer, can cause bruising and damage to the skin in an instant.
Eye injuries are one of the other most common injury caused by a pressure washer. These can occur when insufficient safety apparatus was used. Depending on the strength of the spray (PSI) these be lead quite serious.
Just remember that cleaning with a pressure washer can be fast and easy, but it can also be surprisingly dangerous if no safety is being taken into account.
Do I need protective gear to operate a pressure washer?
The simple answer to this is yes you definitely need protective equipment when operating a pressure washer and to keep the risk of injury as low as possible for the user.
The following PPE (personal protective equipment) should be used and the entire surrounding area should be taken into account.
Everyone that owns or uses a high pressure washer is by law required to ensure that the personal protective equipment is being worn properly and that its condition is being regularly checked.