New Fourth Edition WJTA Blue Book Released

A new edition of the WJTA Recommended Practices for the Use of Industrial Vacuum Equipment has been released and is currently available as both a full-sized manual and pocket-sized operator handbook. The revisions are not as extensive as the recently updated best practices for waterjetting but include several noteworthy changes.

It is recommended that a medical alert card for vacuum suction incidents be carried by operators. In the event of an injury, the suggested wording on the card would offer information to healthcare providers on the potential nature of the injury and treatment considerations.

The vacuum tanks meet the OSHA definition of a confined space, necessitating specific entry procedures. A new example of confined space entry procedures is included to provide additional information.

The revised manual has added recommended hand signals for starting and shutting down the vacuum unit, similar to the hand signals recommended for waterjetting operators in the WJTA Orange Book.

Additional updates include several revisions to the best practice methods for loading and off-loading flammable and combustible liquids, a brief treatment of automated/robotic vacuum tools, and several new definitions added to the glossary.

The full-sized Blue Book manual is redesigned and printed in the same full color format as the recently updated Industry Best Practices for the Use of High Pressure Waterjetting Equipment. The updated Recommended Practices for the Use of Industrial Vacuum Equipment is available for purchase online through the online store at www.wjta.org or by contacting the WJTA administrative office.