The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning to
consumers who use electrically powered pressure washers for cleaning milk tanks,
spray tanks, and other farm equipment.
According to a federal safety alert, consumers can receive a fatal electrical shock
from pressure washers if the power cord connections become wet or an internal
short exists.
Since pressure washers are used to spray water, the power cord, washer and
consumer are often wet, and this can be fatal, especially if the machine is not
properly grounded, the report explained.
Consumers should not use adaptor plugs to connect the three-wire plug to a two-
prong household receptacle without properly grounding the adaptor plug. Power
cord connections should never be allowed to lie in water.
The commission urges these precautions:
- Always plug a three-wire grounded pressure washer into a properly grounded
receptacle. If possible, use a receptacle protected by a ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI).
- Check all flexible cords, plugs and sockets before each use. Replace any
damaged items.
- If an extension cord must be used, use the heavy-duty three-wire, properly
grounded type, and keep the power cord connection out of the water and away from
the item being washed.
- Wear eye protection when using sprayers or pressure washers.
- Wear rubber-soled footwear when operating the washer.
- Never cut or splice the power cord or extension cords.
- Do not leave hoses or cords where they can be run over and damaged.
- Never remove the grounding prong from the power cord plug.
- Never operate the washer after it has tripped a ground fault interrupter or circuit
breaker without first having it examined by a competent repair person.
- Never allow children to operate a pressure washer, and keep them away from the
washer when an adult is using it.
- Never spray the cleaner at yourself or others. The pressure can cause the water
and cleaner to blast under the skin.
- Never start the washer until you have checked to make sure all coupler hose
connections are in place and locked.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONSUMERS CAN CALL THE CPSC TOLL-FREE
HOTLINE, 800-638-CPSC.
WASHERS DANGEROUS, SAFETY PANEL WARNS
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