Abrasive Blasting

PPT-SM-AB 2017

Abrasive blasting uses compressed air or water to direct a high speed stream of an abrasive material to clean an object or surface, remove burrs, apply a texture, or prepare a surface for paint or another type of coating.

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PPT-SM-AB 2017

• Silica sand• Coal slag• Glass• Steel shot• Specular hematite

Commonly used abrasive

materials include:

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PPT-SM-AB 2017

•Dry ice•Sodium bicarbonate

(baking soda)•Ground walnut shells•High pressure water

Alternative blasting materials include:

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PPT-SM-AB 2017

Abrasive blasting operations can create high levels of dust and noise.

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Abrasive material and the surface being blasted may contain toxic materials that are hazardous to workers, such as lead paint and silica.

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Companies should provide workers with training on blasting health and safety hazards, how to use controls, personal hygiene practices, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) and respirator use.

PPT-SM-AB 2017

Before beginning work, companies should identify the hazards and assign a knowledgeable person trained to recognize hazards who has the authority to quickly take corrective action to eliminate them.

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PPT-SM-AB 2017

Using engineering and administrative controls, PPE, including respiratory protection, and training can protect workers involved in abrasive blasting activities.

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PPT-SM-AB 2017

Engineering controls include substitution,

isolation, and ventilation:

These are the main ways to prevent or reduce worker exposure to airborne hazards during abrasive blasting operations

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PPT-SM-AB 2017

Examples of engineering controls include:•Using a less toxic abrasive blasting material•Using barriers and curtain walls to isolate

other workers from the blasting operation•Keeping coworkers away from the blaster•Using exhaust ventilation systems in

containment structures to capture dust

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Administrative controls include:• Using good personal hygiene practices• Performing routine cleanup using wet methods or

HEPA-filtered vacuuming to reduce dust accumulation

• Scheduling blasting when the least number of workers are at the site

• Avoiding blasting in windy conditions to prevent the spread of hazardous materials

PPT-SM-AB 2017

Good personal hygiene practices include not eating, drinking, or using tobacco products in blasting areas.

Wash your hands and face routinely and before you eat, drink, or use tobacco products. Take a shower at the end of your shift, and keep contaminated clothing and equipment out of the clean change area.

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PPT-SM-AB 2017

Respiratory protection must be used when engineering and administrative controls cannot keep worker exposure below OSHA’s permissible exposure limits.

An abrasive-blasting respirator must cover a worker’s head, neck, and shoulders to protect them from rebounding abrasives.

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Workers must only use NIOSH-approved respirators to provide protection from dusts produced during abrasive blasting operations: • Type CE NIOSH-certified blasting airline respirator with

a positive-pressure blasting helmet

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Workers involved in cleanup and other related activities may also need to wear respiratory protection.

Other PPE includes hearing protection, eye and face protection, helmets, leather gloves that protect the hands and forearms, aprons or coveralls, and safety shoes or boots.

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Abrasive blasting creates high levels of noise that can cause substantial hearing loss:

• Always wear hearing protection

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Abrasive blasting can create many hazards that are harmful to workers, including high levels of dust and noise. Be aware of the hazards associated with abrasive blasting, and always wear the proper PPE.

Copyright © 2016 by PEC/Premier Safety Operations, LLC

Safe

ty M

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: Abr

asive

Blas

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Sign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below.

Name:©

201

6 PE

C S

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QUIZ-SM-ABrASIve BlAStIngFeB 2017

Date:

1. ______________ uses compressed air or water to direct a high speed stream of an abrasive material to clean an object or surface, remove burrs, apply a texture, or prepare a surface for paint or another type of coating.

A. WeldingB. Abrasive blastingC. ExcavationD. Confined space entry

2. Silica sand, coal slag, glass, steel shot, and _______________ are commonly used abrasive materials.

A. Specular hematiteB. Hydrogen sulfideC. BenzeneD. Carbon monoxide

3. Alternate blasting materials include dry ice, sodium bicarbonate, ground walnut shells, and _______________.

A. Hydrogen sulfideB. High pressure waterC. BenzeneD. Ultraviolet light

4. Abrasive blasting operations can create _______________ levels of dust and nosie.

A. LowB. ModerateC. HighD. Unknown

5. Before beginning work, companies should identify the hazards and assign a _______________ trained to recognize hazards who has the authority to quickly take corrective action to eliminate them.

A. Knowledgeable personB. Inexperienced personC. SupervisorD. Short service employee

6. ________________ include(s) substitution, isolation, and ventilation.

A. Personal protective equipment

B. Job safety analysesC. Administrative controlsD. Engineering controls

7. Using good personal hygiene practices is a(n) ________________.

A. Engineering controlB. Administrative controlC. Last resortD. Danger to workers

8. _______________ protection must be used when engineering and administrative controls cannot keep worker exposure below OSHA’s permissible exposure limits.

A. RespiratoryB. FallC. HandD. Foot

9. Workers must only use ________________-approved respirators to provide protection from dusts produced during abrasive blasting operations.

A. OSHAB. ANSIC. NIOSHD. JSA

10. Abrasive blasting creates high levels of noise that can cause substantial ________________.

A. BlindnessB. Respiratory problemsC. Weight lossD. Hearing loss

Abra

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Safety Meeting Answer Keys: Abrasive Blasting Instructors: The following key shows the answers for the Abrasive Blasting safety meeting quiz.

© 2016 PEC

Safety, Inc.

KeY-SM-ABrASIve BlAStIngFeB 2017

1. B

2. A

3. B

4. C

5. A

6. D

7. B

8. A

9. C

10. D

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has successfully completed thePEC Safety Meeting

Abrasive Blasting

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Student Instructions: Print and sign your name. Also, provide your date of birth or the last four digits of your social security number.

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