03 Nov Abrasive Blasting Safety

Abrasive Blasting Safety

Sandblasting Hazards and Controls

Abrasive blasting safety requires controlling airborne contaminants, high-velocity abrasive materials, excessive noise, hazardous coatings, and respiratory hazards. Blasting operations can expose both operators and nearby employees to serious health and physical hazards if appropriate controls are not established before work begins.

Airborne Dust and Contaminants

Abrasive blasting can generate extremely high concentrations of airborne dust. The hazard comes not only from the abrasive material but also from the surface being blasted and any coatings, corrosion, or contaminants removed during the process.

Potential airborne contaminants include:

• Respirable crystalline silica.
• Lead.
• Cadmium.
• Chromium and other metals.
• Manganese.
• Paint and coating particles.
• Abrasive material.
• Rust, scale, and other surface contaminants.

Before blasting begins, evaluate both the abrasive and the material or coating being removed to determine potential employee exposures and required controls.

Respirable Crystalline Silica

Using silica-containing sand as an abrasive can generate extremely high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica and should be avoided whenever feasible. Safer blasting media should be selected whenever possible.

When employees may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica:

• Follow applicable OSHA silica requirements.
• Use engineering and work-practice controls to minimize exposure.
• Restrict access to affected areas.
• Use appropriate respiratory protection when required.
• Prevent dust from migrating into adjacent work areas.
• Use appropriate cleanup methods.
• Do not dry sweep or use compressed air for cleanup when doing so could contribute to employee exposure unless permitted by applicable OSHA requirements.

Wet blasting can reduce airborne dust but does not eliminate the need to evaluate silica and other contaminants.

Hazardous Coatings and Metals

Blasting painted or coated surfaces may release toxic metals and other hazardous substances.

Before beginning work:

• Determine whether existing coatings contain lead, cadmium, chromium, or other hazardous materials.
• Review available Safety Data Sheets and previous surveys or testing.
• Conduct exposure assessments when required.
• Establish appropriate regulated or controlled areas.
• Provide required PPE and respiratory protection.
• Follow applicable medical surveillance, hygiene, training, and recordkeeping requirements.

Never assume an existing coating is harmless simply because its composition is unknown.

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls should be used to reduce employee exposure whenever feasible.

Depending on the operation, controls may include:

• Fully enclosed blasting cabinets.
• Blast-cleaning rooms.
• Local exhaust ventilation.
• Dust collection systems.
• Isolation or containment.
• Wet or vapor-abrasive blasting methods.
• Automated or remote blasting equipment.

Exhaust systems must discharge contaminated air so employees are not exposed to collected dust or abrasive material.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection must be selected according to the contaminants present, measured or reasonably anticipated exposure levels, and OSHA respiratory protection requirements.

Abrasive-blasting operators performing blasting where respiratory protection is required must use the appropriate NIOSH-approved respirator for the operation and exposure.

Respirator users must comply with the company’s Respiratory Protection Program, including:

• Medical evaluation.
• Respirator selection.
• Fit testing when applicable.
• Training.
• Inspection.
• Cleaning and maintenance.
• Proper storage.
• Required user seal checks.

Respirators must never be treated as a substitute for feasible engineering controls.

Supplied Breathing Air

When supplied-air respiratory protection is used, the breathing-air system must provide air of the required quality.

• Locate compressor air intakes where contaminated air, exhaust gases, or other hazardous substances cannot enter the breathing-air supply.
• Protect breathing-air systems from contamination.
• Use appropriate filters, alarms, and safeguards required for the system.
• Inspect hoses and connections before use.
• Protect breathing-air lines from damage and contamination.
• Follow manufacturer requirements and the company’s Respiratory Protection Program.

Never connect a supplied-air respirator to an unidentified or unapproved compressed-air source.

Personal Protective Equipment

Abrasive blasting can expose workers to rebounding abrasive, flying particles, high noise levels, and other physical hazards.

Required PPE may include:

• Abrasive-blasting helmet or appropriate respiratory equipment.
• Hearing protection.
• Protective gloves.
• Durable protective clothing.
• Safety footwear.
• Eye and face protection for nearby employees as required.

PPE must be selected based on the hazards identified for the specific blasting operation.

Protect Nearby Employees

Abrasive-blasting hazards can extend well beyond the person operating the equipment.

• Establish exclusion or controlled-access areas.
• Use barriers, curtains, or containment where appropriate.
• Post warning signs.
• Keep unauthorized employees away from blasting operations.
• Control dust migration.
• Require appropriate PPE for employees who must enter affected areas.
• Coordinate blasting activities with other trades working nearby.

Equipment Inspection

Inspect blasting equipment before use, including:

• Blast hoses.
• Couplings and connectors.
• Nozzles.
• Blast pots and pressure vessels.
• Control valves.
• Deadman controls.
• Breathing-air equipment.
• Ventilation and dust-collection systems.

Damaged or defective equipment must be removed from service until repaired.

Hose connections should be properly secured to prevent accidental separation. Never point a blasting nozzle toward yourself or another person.

Handling Abrasives

Dust can be generated while abrasives are loaded, unloaded, transferred, collected, or disposed of.

• Minimize manual transfer whenever possible.
• Use ventilation or dust-control systems at transfer points where necessary.
• Avoid creating unnecessary airborne dust.
• Use appropriate PPE and respiratory protection when required.
• Follow proper procedures for collecting and disposing of spent abrasive.

Spent abrasive may contain hazardous materials removed from the blasted surface and must be evaluated and disposed of accordingly.

Remember

Abrasive blasting can create hazards that are not immediately visible. Evaluate the abrasive, surface coatings, airborne contaminants, equipment, and work area before blasting begins. Use engineering controls, respiratory protection, PPE, and restricted-access areas appropriate for the hazards.