/ Ventilation
Abrasive Blasting | 1

Ventilation
Abrasive Blasting

29 CFR 1910.94

Ventilation—Abrasive Blasting

Abrasives and the surface coatings on the materials being blasted form dust containing particles of respirable size. The composition and toxicity of the dust from these sources must be considered in making an evaluation of the potential health hazards.

Determine or investigate what material will be removed during the abrasive blasting. There may be other substances that need special handling such as aluminum may contain hexavalent chrome in the dust.

OSHA requires that the concentration of respirable dust or fume in the breathing zone of the abrasive-blasting operator or any other worker must be kept below the levels specified in 29 CFR 1910.1000.

Organic abrasives which are combustible must be used only in automatic systems.

Where flammable or explosive dust mixtures may be present, the construction of the equipment, exhaust system and electrical wiring, must conform to the requirements of ANSI Z33.1-1961. The blast nozzle must be bonded and grounded to prevent the buildup of static charges.

Respirators

Use only respirators approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR 84 to protect yourself from dusts produced during abrasive-blasting operations.

Abrasive-blasting respirators must be worn by all abrasive-blasting operators:

  • When working inside of blast-cleaning rooms.
  • When using silica sand in manual blasting operations where the nozzle and blast are not physically separated from the operator in an exhaust ventilated enclosure.
  • Where concentrations of toxic dust dispersed by the abrasive blasting may exceed the limits in 29 CFR 1910.1000 and the nozzle and blast are not physically separated from the operator in an exhaust-ventilated enclosure.

Properly fitted particulate-filter respirators, commonly referred to as dust-filter respirators, may be used for short, intermittent or occasional dust exposures such as cleanup, when it is not feasible to control the dust by enclosure, exhaust ventilation or other means.

Dust-filter respirators may be used to protect the operator of outside abrasive-blasting operations where non-silica abrasives are used on materials having low toxicity. Dust-filter respirators must not be used for continuous protection where silica sand is used as the blasting abrasive or toxic materials are blasted.

Employees wearing respirators must participate in a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.

Other Protective Equipment

Operators must be equipped with heavy canvas or leather gloves and aprons or equivalent protection to protect them from the impact of abrasives. Safety shoes must be worn to protect against foot injury where heavy pieces of work are handled.

Equipment for protection of the eyes and face must be supplied to the operator when the respirator design does not provide such protection and to any other personnel working in the vicinity of abrasive blasting operations. This equipment must conform to the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.133.

Employee Training

There is no OSHA regulation requiring training on this topic, but employees should be trained on the hazards in the workplace and how they can protect themselves from those hazards.

Training Tips

  • Review the composition and toxicity of dust formed during abrasive blasting operations at your facility.
  • Inform workers of which respirator is correct for the operations at your facility.
  • Inform workers of procedures for inspections and maintenance of exhaust systems.
  • Include the names of personnel responsible for inspections and who workers should notify if they notice a dust leak.
  • Inform workers of the availability and location of protective equipment at your company.

For more information see:

  • 29 CFR 1910.94—Ventilation

Ventilation—Abrasive BlastingHandout

/ Ventilation
Abrasive Blasting | 1

During abrasive blasting operations, both the abrasives and the surface coatings on the materials blasted are shattered and pulverized. This creates particle dust which workers breathe in. The composition and toxicity of the dust from these sources must be considered in making an evaluation of the potential health hazards.Determine or investigate what material will be removed during the abrasive blasting. There may be other substances that need special handling such as aluminum may contain hexavalent chrome in the dust.

Respirators

Use only respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR 84 to protect yourself from dusts produced during abrasive-blasting operations. Abrasive-blasting respirators must be worn when you are:

  • Working inside of blast-cleaning rooms, or
  • Using silica sand in manual blasting operations where the nozzle and blast are not physically separated from you in an exhaust ventilated enclosure, or
  • Working where concentrations of toxic dust dispersed by the abrasive blasting may exceed the limits set in 29 CFR 1910.1000 and the nozzle and blast are not physically separated from you in an exhaust-ventilated enclosure.

Dust Filter Respirator

You may use properly fitted particulate-filter respirators, commonly referred to as dust-filter respirators, for short, intermittent, or occasional dust exposure such as cleanup, dumping of dust collectors, and so on, when it is not feasible to control the dust by enclosure, exhaust ventilation, or other means.

You may use dust-filter respirators to protect yourself outside of abrasive blasting operations where non-silica abrasives are used on materials having low toxicities.

Dust-filter respirators must not be used for continuous protection where:

  • Silica sand is used as the blasting abrasive, or
  • Toxic materials are blasted,

Respiratory Protection Program

If respirator use is required by this section, your employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.

Other Protective Equipment

You must be equipped with heavy canvas or leather gloves and aprons or equivalent protection to protect yourself from the impact of abrasives.

Safety shoes must be worn to protect against foot injury where heavy pieces of work are handled. Safety shoes must conform to ANSI Z41.1-1967 Men’s Safety-Toe Footwear.

You must use equipment for protection of your eyes and face when the respirator design does not provide such protection. This equipment must conform to the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.133.

Ventilation—Abrasive BlastingSign–Off Sheet

The employees of ______Company Name______, have taken part in a training session Ventilation—Abrasive Blasting. The session covered:

  • Operations at this facility which expose employees to hazardous dusts.
  • Respirators required in particular-blasting areas.
  • Who to go to with PPE equipment problems.

Date of Training: / Facility:
Employee Signature / PRINT NAME

______

Supervisor’s Signature