When working with high pressure and in low visibility situations, accidents can and do happen. Preventing injuries should be the top priority on every job site. Although it is encouraged to increase productivity, speed, and profit, in no way is it recommended that operator safety should ever be compromised.
ENSURE THAT ALL CONNECTION POINTS ARE WHIPCHECKED
If a blast, bull, or other hose connection point was to become disconnected accidentally, the high pressure in the hose would cause the ‘live’ end of the hose to whip or snap around and lash out at anything in its path. This can result in injury to blasting operators, including any bystanders. The out-of-control hose thrashes out indiscriminately in all directions, causing an extremely dangerous situation. This has happened in multiple blasting operations and has caused many very serious injuries, even death, to blasting personnel.
With Whipchecks fitted, especially the “Stocking” variety, the situation becomes much less volatile as the coupling’s movement becomes more restricted, which gives much more time for the operator to shut down the air supply when a connection fails.
WHIPCHECK TYPES
The traditional whipcheck has a single cable which, when installed properly, would semi-restrict the hose in the event of coupling failure. Due to the fact the hose is not firmly secured, it could and will still whip around and potentially cause harm to personnel standing close to the point of failure.
The safer option is the Stocking whipcheck which holds the hose securely and checks the hose whip more completely.
WHERE SHOULD WHIPCHECKS BE PLACED?
There are 4 minimum locations where whipchecks should be installed:
Air Compressor to Bull Hose
Inlet to Blast Machine
Inlet and Outlet Connections
Connection Points Along the Hose
It is critical, regardless of what style in use, that the Whipcheck is installed correctly:
Whipcheck must be fully extended and flat along the hose.
Not looped or loose as shown.
