Safety Tips for Abrasive Blasting

When it comes to manufacturing and finishing, one of the most vital processes is abrasive blasting, which is also called grit blasting, sandblasting, or media blasting. Although this system is relatively simple, it can also be considered dangerous if not operated correctly.

When abrasive blasting was first developed, workers didn't use many safety precautions. Because of a lack of oversight, many people developed respiratory problems from breathing in the dust or other particulates during dry blasting. Although wet blasting doesn't have that problem, it does pose other hazards. Here's a breakdown of the potential dangers that come from this process.

• Respiratory Illness- As we all know, dry blasting creates a lot of dust. While some job sites use enclosed cabinets to collect the dust, other workplaces do not. If employees breathe in this dust, it could cause serious lung damage. In particular, silica sand can cause a disease known as silicosis, lung cancer, and breathing problems. Coal slag, copper slag, garnet sand,      nickel slag, and glass may also cause lung damage similar to the effects of silica sand. Job sites that use metal particles may create toxic dust that could lead to worse health conditions or death. These materials can contain trace amounts of toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, barium, zinc,      copper, iron, chromium, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, crystalline silica, or beryllium that become airborne and can be inhaled.

• Exposure to noise- Abrasive blasting machines propel particles at high speeds, so they need powerful motors to keep them running. Irrespective of the type of equipment used, abrasive blasting is a noisy operation. Air and water compression units can be excessively loud, and prolonged exposure without hearing protection can lead to semi or permanent hearing loss.

• Skin Irritation and Abrasion- The dust created by abrasive blasting can get into clothing quickly and easily. As workers move around, the grit or sand can rub against their skin, creating rashes and other painful conditions. Since the purpose of abrasive blasting is to remove surface materials, the blasting machines can be pretty dangerous if used without proper abrasive blasting PPE. For example, if a worker accidentally sandblasts their hand, they could remove sections of their skin and tissue. Making matters worse,      the particles will get lodged into the flesh and will be almost impossible to extract.

• Eye Damage- Some particles used in abrasive blasting are incredibly tiny, so if they get into someone's eye, they can do some real damage. Although an eyewash station can flush out most of the particulate, some pieces may get stuck and take time to come out naturally. It's easy to scratch the cornea as well, which can lead to permanent vision loss.

In addition to contaminants, noise, and visibility problems, industrial blasting contractors are prone to suffer physical injuries from the use of various machines and from different hazards that may be hidden around work areas. Furthermore, blasters often need to work in confined spaces and at varying heights in order to perform the abrasive blasting operations required.

Although workers are responsible for their own safety, employers also need to take all the precautions necessary to keep everyone safe. This means that employers need to identify all the potential hazards and implement all the corrective actions required in order to mitigate hazards before work begins.

Here are the top abrasive blasting safe work procedures you and your workers should follow as an abrasive blasting safety checklist.

• Educating and training all of the workers involved in abrasive blasting activities. Training may also be necessary to illustrate how to use the machinery and the personal protective equipment (PPE) required for each project.

• Replacing the abrasive blasting process with a safer method, such as wet blasting, whenever possible

• Using less hazardous blasting media

• Separating blasting areas from other activities

• Using adequate ventilation systems or cabinets when possible

• Utilize proper learning procedures on a regular basis

• Using HEPA-filtered vacuuming or wet methods to regularly clean blasting areas

• Keeping unauthorized personnel away from blasting areas

• Scheduling abrasive blasting operations during favorable weather conditions and when fewer workers are present

Thanks to recent advancements in abrasive blasting safety technology, employers have access to many different types of abrasive safety equipment. From high-end respirators to durable safety overalls, footwear, and gloves, blasting safety equipment is easy to obtain.

If you’re looking to outfit your workforce with top-quality, long-lasting sandblasting safety equipment, contact BSTEC at www.cnbstec.com and browse our extensive safety equipment collections.