Seven Basic Principles of Vacuum Truck Safety
The purpose of the GICC is to increase safety in the industrial cleaning industry. Our mission is to help national safety associations adopt basic cleaning principles in high pressure waterjetting, municipal/vacuum truck cleaning, chemical cleaning, and respiratory protection that are easy to implement country by country. For more detailed explanation of the above, please refer to your country’s best practices document.
#1 Joint Responsibility
Asset Owners, Manufacturers/Suppliers of Equipment, and Industrial Cleaning Contractors have the joint responsibility to collaboratively create and implement safety guidelines.
#2 Three Areas of Focus
Safety guidelines should focus on…
Methods: use the safest possible method and processes to clean
Means: properly select and use the right type of equipment and tooling
People take personal responsibility to understand and follow safety guidelines; commit to training
#3 Staff Education and Training
Operators and supervisors should be educated and trained on how to work safely and effectively and committed to ongoing and repeated training.
#4 Sharing Knowledge and Continuous Learning
New developments in safe working practices should be followed and sharing of knowledge is encouraged. Each safety organization should have a reporting system for accidents and near misses.
#5 Assurance of the Guidelines
Contractors and Asset Owners need to work together to ensure proper working methods are in place, only properly skilled, trained and certified people are working on-site, and that equipment being used meets proper specifications and maintenance cycle/certification as required by the manufacturer or certifying body.
#6 Working with Safe Equipment
Industrial vacuuming activities should be carried out using the safest and least physically arduous working method possible. Every method has specific tasks, responsibilities and precautionary measures. The goal is to keep everyone safe and out of the line of fire and work to a professional standard.
Complete Work According to the Safest Methods Possible
Never Perform Industrial Vacuum Work Alone Unless Deemed a Low Risk Operation
Never Enter Confined Spaces Without Appropriate Permits and Without Direct Line of Site or Appropriate Communication with the Operator if Line of Sight Is Not Possible
Consider and Mitigate Possible Explosive Atmosphere Risk
Before Starting Cleaning Activity, Ensure Vacuum Unit Has Been Rinsed Out
Be Informed About the Material Being Vacuumed
Never Cross Contaminate Materials in the Vacuum Unit
Always Wear Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Be Aware of and Identify Industrial Vacuuming Hazards
While the Vacuum Unit is in Operation, Keep Body Parts Away from the End of the Hose
In the Event of an Emergency, Shut Off Vacuum Unit Immediately
Adhere to All Transportation Safety Guidelines when Transporting Equipment and/or Materials
Vacuumed Material Must be Disposed of in an Appropriate Manner
Follow Lockout-Tagout Procedures
Exercise Caution Around Mechanical Hazards
Always Perform a Last-Minute Risk Assessment (LMRA)
#7 Working According to Safe Methods
Industrial vacuuming activities should be carried out using the safest and least physically arduous working method possible. Every method has specific tasks, responsibilities and precautionary measures. The goal is to keep everyone safe and out of the line of fire and work to a professional standard.
Always Ground and Bond the Industrial Vacuum Unit When Working in an Industrial Environment or When Working with Flammable, Explosive or Hazardous Substances
Properly Maintain and Inspect Equipment, Tooling and Components
Never Work on an Operating or Energized System
Ensure the System is Setup Properly
Never Overfill an Industrial Vacuum Tank
Ensure That Vacuum Truck Can Adequately Remove Material
Conductive Hoses Must be Used on All Liquid Vacuum Units When Working in an Industrial Environment
Never Use Pneumatic Loaders (Air Movers / Dry Vacs) to Load Products
