How do you inspect PPE before starting a high pressure cleaning job?

To inspect PPE before a high-pressure water jetting job, you need to systematically check every item of protective equipment for visible damage, structural integrity, and correct fit before the job begins. This applies to all personnel working with pressures ranging from 500 bar “7,252 PSI” up to 3000 bar “43,511 PSI”, where even a small gap in protection can have serious consequences. The sections below walk through each category of PPE in detail, from suits and gloves to face shields and documentation.

What PPE is required for high-pressure water jetting work?

The minimum PPE required for high-pressure water jetting work includes a rated protective suit, jetting gloves, safety footwear, and face or eye protection. Depending on the pressure range and work environment, additional items such as hearing protection, a hard hat, and respiratory protection may also be mandatory. These requirements are defined by industry safety bodies including SIR (Netherlands), EWJI (Europe), WJA (UK), WJTA (USA), and DIRV (Germany).

Each of these organisations publishes guidance that sets minimum standards for protective equipment used in high-pressure cleaning operations. While the specifics vary slightly between regions, the core principle is consistent: PPE must be rated for the pressure range being used and must cover all vulnerable areas of the body. For operations at the higher end of the pressure scale, 1000 bar “14,504 PSI” and above, full-body coverage with reinforced suits is typically required rather than lighter protective clothing.

It is also worth noting that PPE alone does not make an operation safe. It is the last line of defence. Proper equipment setup, operator training, and adherence to high-pressure safety procedures must always come first. That said, correctly selected and well-maintained PPE is non-negotiable on any jetting job site.

How do you inspect a high-pressure protective suit before use?

To inspect a high-pressure protective suit before use, lay it flat on a clean surface and work through a visual and physical check from collar to ankle. Look for cuts, abrasions, punctures, delamination, and any signs of previous impact. Pay particular attention to seams, closures, and any reinforced zones around the chest, legs, and arms, as these areas absorb the most stress during jetting operations.

Begin with the outer shell and work through the following checks in order:

• Examine the outer shell for tears, fraying, or surface damage. Even minor cuts can compromise the suit’s ability to deflect a high-pressure water jet, so nothing should be dismissed as cosmetic.
• Run your fingers along every seam, feeling for loose threads, separation, or puckering that would indicate compromised structural integrity.
• Test all closures and fastenings, including zips, Velcro, and press studs, confirming each one seats fully. A closure that does not engage completely creates an unprotected gap.
• Press the reinforced zones firmly to assess whether the internal padding remains intact and evenly distributed. Compressed or displaced padding offers significantly reduced protection, even if the outer shell appears undamaged.

Finally, put the suit on and confirm it allows a full range of movement without pulling at the seams. A suit that is too tight will restrict movement during active jetting and place stress on the material at exactly the points where protection is most critical.

Suits used in high-pressure water jetting must carry a pressure rating appropriate for the job. If the rating is not clearly marked or the label has worn off, the suit should be removed from service and replaced. Never assume a suit is rated for pressures it has not been certified for.

What should you check on jetting gloves and footwear?

For jetting gloves, check for cuts, punctures, worn areas on the palm and fingertips, and any stiffening of the material that would reduce dexterity or grip. For footwear, inspect the sole for wear, check that the steel or composite toecap is intact, and confirm that any waterproof membrane has not been compromised by cracking or separation at the seams.

Glove inspection points

Jetting gloves take significant punishment during operations, particularly on the palm side where grip is maintained on lances and hoses. Hold the glove up to a light source and look for thin spots or pinhole damage that would not be visible under normal conditions. Flex the glove fully open and closed to check for cracking in the material, especially at the knuckles and finger joints where repeated bending causes the most wear over time. If the glove has a gauntlet cuff, confirm it seals properly against the suit sleeve with no gap, since any exposed skin or suit material at the wrist represents a direct vulnerability.

Footwear inspection points

Safety footwear for high-pressure water jetting must provide both impact protection and resistance to high-pressure water penetration. Key inspection points include:

• Check the upper for cracking, separation from the sole, or any puncture damage that could allow pressurised water to reach the foot.
• Press the sole firmly to confirm it has not delaminated or become so worn that grip is compromised on wet surfaces.
• Assess the waterproofing integrity throughout, as any degradation increases both comfort risk and the risk of a slip-related incident in an active jetting environment.

How do you check face and eye protection for water jetting?

To check face and eye protection before a jetting job, inspect the visor or lens for scratches, cracks, or cloudiness that would impair visibility, and confirm that the head harness or frame holds the shield securely in the correct position without slipping. A scratched visor that reduces visibility is a safety hazard in its own right, independent of its protective function.

For full-face shields, which are standard in most high-pressure water jetting operations above 500 bar “7,252 PSI”, hold the shield up to light and look for crazing, deep scratches, or impact marks. Even fine surface scratches scatter light and reduce the operator’s ability to see clearly, which matters enormously when controlling a high-pressure lance in a confined or complex environment. Check that the frame has not cracked or warped, since a distorted frame will not hold the lens at the correct angle and may allow water ingress around the edges. Test the ratchet or slide adjustment on the headband to confirm it locks firmly in the correct position and does not slip under light pressure. If the shield includes foam or rubber sealing edges at the chin and brow, check that these have not compressed permanently or begun to peel away from the frame, as degraded seals allow fine spray to reach the face and eyes.

Safety goggles used as secondary eye protection should also be checked for lens clarity and strap elasticity. A strap that has lost its tension will not keep goggles in place during active work, rendering them effectively useless at the moment they are most needed.

What PPE defects mean you must stop work immediately?

You must stop work immediately if any of the following conditions are present:

• Any cut, puncture, or tear in a pressure-rated surface of a suit, glove, or boot.
• A closure or fastening that cannot be fully secured, including zips, Velcro, or press studs.
• A visor that is cracked or so scratched that it impairs vision.
• Any item showing delamination or separation of layers.
• Missing, illegible, or expired pressure rating labels on any item of PPE.
• Any item that does not fit the user correctly, whether too large, too small, or incorrectly adjusted.

These defects are not acceptable to manage around. The item must be removed from service and replaced before the job continues. Industry bodies including EWJI and the WJA are clear that no operational pressure or time constraint justifies using defective PPE. In high-pressure water jetting, where jets at 500 bar “7,252 PSI” or above can penetrate skin and cause severe internal injury within milliseconds, there is no margin for compromise on protective equipment integrity.

How should PPE inspection records be documented on a job site?

PPE inspection records should be documented using a written or digital pre-use checklist that captures the date, the name of the person conducting the inspection, each item of PPE inspected, the result of the inspection, and any action taken where a defect was found. These records should be retained on site for the duration of the job and stored in the project safety file afterward.

Each person using PPE should have their own named inspection record rather than a single shared form for the whole crew, ensuring individual accountability and making it straightforward to trace which item failed and when. Record each category of PPE separately rather than issuing a single pass or fail for the full kit, and ensure that any defect entry includes both a description of the fault and the action taken. “Suit removed from service, replacement issued” is a complete record; “checked” is not. Where required by site procedures or by the guidance of bodies such as SIR or DIRV, a supervisor or competent person should countersign the inspection record before work begins, adding an independent verification layer to the process.

Records should be kept for at least the duration of the project, and longer if required by local regulation or client contract. In the event of an incident, inspection records are a critical part of the investigation and their absence or incompleteness can have serious legal and operational consequences. When choosing a format for documentation, consider the following:

• Digital checklists and site management apps make it easier to timestamp records and attach photographs of defects, adding an additional layer of evidence quality.
• Paper-based checklists remain acceptable where digital tools are not available, provided they are completed in full and stored securely.
• Whatever format is used, consistency and completeness matter far more than the specific tool.

How DERC Salotech supports high-pressure safety on the job site

At DERC Salotech, we understand that safe high-pressure water jetting operations depend on more than just the right equipment. They depend on the full system working together: reliable machinery, correctly rated PPE, trained operators, and documented procedures. With over 40 years of experience supplying high-pressure cleaning solutions to the petrochemical, energy, marine, and general industrial sectors across more than 55 countries, we are well placed to support your team at every stage of an operation.

We supply systems and accessories designed for the full pressure range from 500 bar “7,252 PSI” to 3000 bar “43,511 PSI”, ensuring your equipment is rated for what you actually do on site rather than a generalised standard. Our offering includes:

• Certified training courses through our subsidiary DERC Adviesgroep, covering safe operation, PPE requirements, and inspection procedures aligned with SIR, EWJI, WJA, WJTA, and DIRV standards.
• Engineering support for projects spanning multiple regulatory environments, working to both metric and SAE specifications so cross-border differences do not become operational obstacles.
• Safety-first tooling such as the Flexa-Jet Chain Manipulator and MagTrack robotic system, designed to reduce operator exposure in high-risk jetting environments and complement your PPE programme rather than replace it.

If you want to review your current setup, discuss nozzle and equipment selection, or find out how our training programmes can support your team’s competency in PPE inspection and high-pressure safety, we are ready to help. Contact us to speak with one of our specialists.