Water is such that it’s essential to the existence of man. It serves different purposes, including household needs, giving life to animals, etc. Over the years, the use of water for simple purposes alone has evolved, and technology has helped discover fantastic ways water can contribute more to humanity. Nowadays, water can be used for generating electricity, hydroblasting exercises, innovations in appliances, etc.
However, in seeking to “bend” water and transform it into an element that serves some of these new-age purposes, it can rebel and cause harm and injury, not only to the individual trying to carry out the act but also to the society at large.
An example of such an incident where using water for a new cause, like hydroblasting, can seem dangerous is seen in an accident report by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In this accident report, an hydroblasting exercise led to an individual having his rubber boots pierced by water and lacerating his foot, causing him a wound that later became infected.
What Is Hydroblasting?
Simply put, hydroblasting involves using high-pressure water for cleaning purposes. It is an exercise that involves controlling water to create a high-pressure force strong enough to clean or wash specks of dirt and unwanted substances and markings off a surface.
It is sometimes referred to as hydrolazing, aqua blasting, or water jetting. The reason isn’t far-fetched as it involves the use of the power of water.
This exercise can be used both at home and for industrial purposes. However, the pressure measured in PSI with which the water is exerted onto the surface to be cleaned varies typically due to some factors.
At home, pressure washers are used to clean surfaces around the exterior of a house, and the pressure exerted on these surfaces with water isn’t that much. This is because highly-pressured water can crush through concrete and demolish it.
However, for industrial use, the hydroblasting machines usually are more sophisticated with different parts like pressure generators, water tanks, water guns, blast cabinets, etc. The pressure generated from this sort of hydroblasting is soo great it can cut through metals and stones. In the industry, hydroblasting is used for exercises like cleaning huge tanks, pipes, ships, factory floors, railcars, etc.
Here is an example of high-pressure water exerting a pressure strong enough to cut through a metal lock.
How Dangerous Is Pressured Water?
Water overflowing from its natural course can cause deadly harm and destroy lives and properties. How much more water that is controlled to produce a lot of pressure?
As stated above, high-pressure water jetting is strong enough to cut through metal. Thus, if it comes in contact with human flesh, it can prove very disastrous and lacerate the skin, tissues, and even bones in some severe cases.
This is why any industry seeking to get involved in hydroplanning activities must adhere to the OSHA safety procedures and standards related to hydroblasting.
Failure to do this can result in injuries and, subsequently, court cases.
An example is the case of Johnson v. EnviroBlast.
In this case, the plaintiff, an hydroblaster working for the defendant, suffered an injury while hydroblasting the inside walls of a large tank with 40,000 pounds of pressure to remove a rubber coating from the tank’s wall of over fifty feet. He fell and fractured his tailbone and L-1 disc.
Another example is the case of Lawrence v. Finch Pruyn & Co., Inc.
In this case, an industrial cleaner fell and suffered severe injuries while hydroblasting built-up slags on the inside walls of a premises in New York. He claimed that a large piece of slag dislodged from above, causing him to lose control of the hydroblaster and the force of water came down across his foot, injuring him.
These and many other cases show how dangerous pressured water from hydroblasting can be.
Using Animation In A Court Case To Get Compensation For A Hydroblasting Accident
Like the above scenarios stated above, injury from hydroblasting can cause a party to seek compensation in court. In a bid to do that, one of the legal visual strategies that can be used is animation.
However, using animation in a hydroblasting accident case isn’t limited to showcasing how the force from the water caused personal injury to the victim. It can be used to illustrate a breach of safety standards on the accident site.
In addition, there are cases where the accident is caused by the malfunctioning of the hydroblasting machine or any of its parts. An example is the case of Martinez v. Pacific Indus. Service Corp., where it was alleged that the pump malfunctioning caused the plaintiff’s injury during the hydroblasting exercise. In such cases, animation can illustrate how a hydroblasting machine is expected to work. It can also be used to illustrate the malfunction leading to the injury.
In conclusion, an attorney using animation in a hydroblasting case can breathe a new lease of life into the case. For an attorney to achieve this maximum impact, they have to use the services of a reliable animation company experienced in creating admissible graphics.
