Sandblasting Rules

• Safety measures during sandblasting including using respirators. Larry Mayer/Creatas/Getty Images

  Sandblasting is a process in which abrasive materials are forcefully sprayed using compressed air to remove rust, paint and dirt from concrete or metal surfaces. It may also be used for sand carving and glass etching. Safety measures for sandblasting are important, particularly when using silica sand, a commonly used abrasive, since crystalline silica dust poses health hazards.

OSHA Standards

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to crystalline silica can result in silicosis, a disabling and sometimes fatal lung condition that is caused by inhaling the airborne dust. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), which indicates the maximum exposure to crystalline silica for workers in an eight-hour period. The OSHA National Emphasis Program for Crystalline Silica (NEP) is in place to recognize, minimize and eliminate health hazards. OSHA requires that workers exposed to crystalline silica be properly trained. Severe exposure occurs most commonly in construction work where paint and rust are blasted from concrete structures, bridges, tanks and other objects that are being prepared for painting. As of the spring of 2010, OSHA was working to establish a regulation regarding sandblasting and exposure to crystalline silica.

Protection

• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers be provided with respiratory protection when crystalline silica levels are more than 1 percent of the material used for sandblasting. It is important that workers wear protective clothing that is either washable or disposable, and clothes should be changed before leaving the job site. This prevents contamination of vehicles and homes. In addition to respirators, exhaust ventilation can minimize exposure. NIOSH encourages monitoring of the air to measure exposure to determine the need for more effective engineering controls.

Containment

• According to NIOSH, containment of sandblasting can reduce workers' exposure to the dust. Blast cabinets and blast-cleaning machines are enclosed which prevents exposure. Workers access the inside through gloved armholes. Blasting rooms also remove employers from the direct exposure. However, when working in the room, the exposure is increased. Respirators are critical during work in a blasting room. Ventilation of enclosed containment structures is also important.

Hygiene

• The CDC recommends that workers wash their faces and hands prior to drinking, eating or smoking. No food, drink or tobacco should be consumed in the sandblasting area. Showering is recommended prior to leaving the job site. To prevent the contamination of vehicles, employees should park them in a location away from the sandblasting area.