Abrasive grit blasting safety

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Many metal finishing and coating industries incorporate abrasive grit blasting in their operations. This has resulted in abrasive sand blasting processes being used more and more in industry as more and more components undergo some form of surface modification or another in order to extend the life of components used in industry. With abrasive grit blasting being in greater use today than ever before in history, the associated safety problems become important to consider also. In this post, we will briefly talk about abrasive grit blasting safety.

Every company that is involved in abrasive grit blasting must have a special section devoted to abrasive grit blasting safety. This is because this operation can become a focal point of safety issues considering the nature of the operation itself. Some of the things that companies can require the operators to do compulsorily may sound simple, but can go a long way in reducing the danger of accidents in grit blasting departments and can additionally provide the operator with a healthy working environment.

Believe it or not, operators MUST be required to keep the grit blasting room clean by sweeping and vacuuming off the floor several times a day. This is because fallen grit, steel shots and other media used in abrasive grit blasting can pose fall hazards being that they are slippery in nature. This seemingly simple requirement can lead to lower fall risks.

All abrasive grit blasting operators must be required to wear necessary respiratory protective gear. Because of potential pulmonary health issues that can be caused by the inhalation of fine abrasive media, respiratory protection is almost always a must in grit blast departments. If face masks with breathing air supply are required to be used, then periodically check the breathing air tank for sufficient supply as well ensure that operators are properly trained to use these pieces of equipment properly.

Certain materials such as cadmium are not allowed to be blasted with pneumatic grit blasting equipment, because the dust from the process is considered to be carcinogenic. Such materials must be subjected to wet blasting only.

Use of proper safety eyewear must be made mandatory in abrasive grit blasting operations, because particles of media that may fly around can damage operator vision. Noise is another major problem in grit blasting rooms. A well certified ear protection equipment usage must also be made mandatory to the operators.

Because of the nature of the process, it is recommended that operators be required to wear overalls or aprons, be required to wear long gloves and preferably canvas blasting suits that are designed specifically for this process.

As an organization, provide sufficient ventilation to grit blast areas and avoid certain kinds of media such as silica, copper slag, staurolite, etc.