Abrasive Blasting Safety

 

Abrasive Blasting Safety

Ensuring Safety at Heights in Industry

Abrasive blasting is one of the high risk activities because various HSE Hazards, the following information’s and controls will help you mitigate the risks.

Hazards

Ø  Abrasive blasting work creates very high levels of dust.

Ø  The dust may contain respirable crystalline silica (RCS).

Ø  Breathing this dust can cause serious lung diseases like silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even lung cancer.

Ø  These diseases cause everlasting disability and early death.

Ø  The substance being worked on may contain other hazardous substances, eg lead.

Ø  Skin contact with dusts and prolonged or frequent contact with water may cause dermatitis.

Ø  A good standard of control is needed because the risk to health is high.

 The Importance of Electrical Safety in Industry

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

ü  Provide the shot blaster with an air-fed ‘CE’ marked abrasive blasting helmet with a Standard Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of at least 40.

ü  Air supplied to the blasting helmet should be breathing quality.

ü  Position airlines so that they are not liable to be blocked or damaged by moving vehicles etc.

ü  Change blasting helmet visors as soon as pitting or frosting occurs.

ü  Provide Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) with an APF of at least 20 for the ‘kettle man’ working nearby.

ü  Fit testing is ensured for Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) with a tight fitting face seal.

ü  Employees wearing tight fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) should be clean shaven, fully trained in detailed as how to fit it properly and how to look after it.

    Inform employees to discard disposable Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) at the end of the shift, or sooner if their RPE becomes blocked with dust.

Chemicals Hazards, Storage & Protection

ü  Have a track and Change the filters on respirators in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations and if:

v  the shelf-life expiry date has passed;

v  they are damaged or visibly contaminated; or

v  they become harder to breathe through.

ü  Inspect and test non-disposable Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and air supply thoroughly at least once every month.

ü  Inform Employees to check RPE is working properly before every use.

ü  If the RPE worn by the kettle man is required for extended periods, eg longer than 1 hour continuously, use powered respirators.

ü  Always Keep RPE clean and store it in a clean place.

Safety Training Videos with Pictorial Guidelines

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Ø  Employees to wear blasting suits/coveralls that do not retain dust and protect against water.

Ø  Provide protective gloves and footwear to the employees.

Ø  Provide the storage facility to employee for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when not in use.

Ø  Inform employees Keep any PPE cleaned and replace at recommended intervals.

Ø  Engage contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing. Don’t allow employees to do this at home.

Steam Hazards and Safety Requirements