ABRASIVE BLASTING SAFETY PROGRAM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Scope
  2. Procedure
  3. Equipment Handling
  4. Air compressors
  5. Blast Pot
  6. Hoses and Connectors
  7. Nozzles and Remote Controls
  8. Operator Signals
  9. Respirator Use
  10. Environmental Controls
  11. Personal Protective Equipment
  12. Dust Hazards
  13. Examples of the Types of Abrasives in Blasting Operations
  14. Examples of Coatings Removed in Blasting Operations
  15. Blasting Cabinets
  16. Blast Cleaning Rooms
  17. Air Blasting
  18. Blast Cleaning Nozzles
  19. Inspection and Maintenance

Earthquake Safety Earthquake Safety – According to the US Geological Survey, there is a 60% chance that a 6.7 magnitude or greater earthquake will occur in California in the next 30 years.  An earthquake of this size can pose an immediate hazard to worker safety, strain public services and disrupt business.  The best way to survive an earthquake, or any other emergency, safely is to prepare, plan, and practice. First, prepare your workplace for an earthquake.  Large equipment such as boilers, tanks, and machines need to be secured properly so they will not fall over in an earthquake.  Furniture such...

Save Your Back When Working In Awkward Positions We have all been told to avoid back injury by bending our knees when we lift, keeping the load close and avoiding twisting motions. These safety rules may be appropriate for simple, direct lifting of materials, but what about back care when you are working in awkward positions? Work tasks that require you to reach or stretch away from your body while handling materials can also put excessive strain on the vertebral discs and soft tissues in the back. An awkward position is a work posture that distorts the spine from its natural...

Why Use A Safety Can For Gasoline? Gasoline is an extremely flammable liquid fuel. It should always be handled and stored properly in order to reduce the likelihood of fires and explosions. Personal injuries ranging from first-degree burns to fatalities can result from improper handling and storage practices. Safety cans are designed to control the flammable vapors of gasoline and to provide a safe and convenient means for storage and transfer. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved safety cans should be used to carry, dispense, and store gasoline in quantities up to five gallons. Failure to use approved metal containers for flammable...

Spontaneous Ignition Many people do not believe it can happen. For no apparent reason, fire erupts, usually during off-hours. It does happen. It’s called spontaneous ignition, and preventing it is part of your job. Spontaneous ignition occurs when a combustible object is heated to its ignition temperature by a chemical reaction involving the oxygen in the air around us. This “oxidation” process creates heat that, if not dissipated, will build up until ignition occurs. Generally, this can happen when the materials are left in piles and the heat being generated in the pile cannot be released into the air. A...

Protective Headwear One serious blow to the head can leave an otherwise strong and healthy person permanently brain-damaged or disabled for life. At best, a blow on the head can give you a whopper of a headache. Therefore, it is crucial to protect it from the impact of falling objects, painful bumps, and in some cases, from high-voltage electric shock. ANSI-approved head protection is generally required when there is “a potential for head injury from falling or moving objects” and where employees’ heads are exposed to electricity. Hard Hats: The American National Standards Institute has established guidelines for helmets, the...

Workplace Electrical Safety May is National Electrical Safety Month, but electrical safety in the workplace deserves daily attention. NIOSH researchers, Kisner & Casini, analyzed 224 electrocutions which resulted in 244 workplace fatalities. These fatalities accounted for approximately 7% of all workplace deaths. The information they learned provides valuable lessons for everyone that works with or around electricity. Younger males die most often. Victims ranged in age from 17- 70 years, 99% of them were men, 64% died prior to age 35, and 99% of the incidents involved alternating current (AC). New hires need to take the most care. 41% of...

The Care & Feeding Of Wire Rope Crane activities are among the most sensitive operations a company will ever encounter. Each and every lift must be planned carefully to avoid the risk of serious and costly accidents. Crew members should consider all factors prior to making the lift, including the capacity of the crane, all its rigging, and the condition of its wire rope. Wire rope is designed to be used in a specific manner and must be maintained properly. Allowing wire rope to become damaged or worn can result in possible failure. Avoid wire rope failure by keeping the...

When You Least Expect It…Lessons Learned! The prospect of getting into an accident is something no one likes to think about. Time and again we hear our managers, supervisors or co-workers telling us to be careful, work safely and use personal protective equipment. Yet, do we really listen? We hear the words, but do we really believe we’ll be the one who will have an accident? There are those who take the safety message at work seriously and those who do not. Safe work procedures have a purpose. Experience tells us that if we do things right, we’ll complete our...

Alcohol & The Job – A Safety Issue Working under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited. This means more than just not drinking on the job. Tests have shown that alcohol can still have an effect on your body up to 18 hours after you have stopped drinking. Alcohol use is a legitimate on-the-job safety issue – and not just an attempt to control off-the-clock lifestyles. Alcohol is a sedative. Drinking any quantity of alcohol impairs a person’s judgment, thinking ability, and coordination to some degree. Some people can “handle” alcohol better than others, but it is a fact...