Use these workplace safety tips from OSHA to protect workers from hazards associated with abrasive blasting. Workers who perform "sandblasting" or other abrasive blasting tasks are exposed to high levels of dust and noise, creating health hazards.

1. SAFETY TIP:
Protecting Workers from Abrasive Blasting Hazards
Abrasive blasting operations often create high levels of
dust and noise. In addition, abrasive materials and
surfaces being blasted may contain toxic materials (e.g.,
lead paint, silica) that are hazardous to workers. This tip
sheet gives information on abrasive blasting materials, health
hazards and worker protection condensed from an OSHA fact
sheet.
Before beginning work, identify hazards and work to eliminate
them. Train abrasive blasters and support personnel on
blasting health and safety hazards, how to use controls,
personal hygiene practices, safe work practices and the
use of PPE and respirators.
Engineering Controls:
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Use a less-toxic abrasive material
Use abrasives that can be delivered with water (slurry) to reduce dust
Use barriers and curtain walls to isolate the blasting operation from other workers
Use blast rooms or blast cabinets for smaller operations
Use restricted areas for non-enclosed blasting operations
Keep coworkers away from the blaster
Use exhaust ventilation systems in containment structures to capture dust
Administrative Controls:
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Perform routine cleanup using wet methods or HEPA filtered vacuuming to minimize
accumulation of toxic dust
Do not use compressed air to clean as this will create dust in the air
Clean and decontaminate tarps and other equipment
Schedule blasting when the least number of workers are present
Avoid blasting in windy conditions to prevent spreading hazardous materials
Personal Hygiene:
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Prohibit eating, drinking, or using tobacco products in blasting
areas
Provide wash stations so workers can wash hands and face
routinely and before eating, drinking, or smoking
Vacuum or remove contaminated work clothes before eating,
drinking or smoking
Provide accommodations for end-of-shift showers and change
areas with separate storage facilities for street clothes, protective clothing and
equipment
Keep contaminated clothing and equipment out of the clean change area

2. Personal Protective Equipment:
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Use only respirators approved by NIOSH to provide protection
from dusts produced during
abrasive-blasting operations, such as Type CE airline respirator
with positive pressure blasting helmet
Support personnel involved in cleanup and other related
activities may also need respiratory protection
Workers should always wear:
Hearing protection
Eye and face protection
Helmet
Leather gloves that protect full forearm
Aprons or coveralls
Safety shoes or boots
Alternative, less toxic blasting materials include:
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Dry ice
Plastic bead media
Sponge
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Ground walnut shells, ground corn cob and other biodegradable materials
High pressure water
Abrasive Blasting Safety Resources:
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Read the full OSHA fact sheet. (pdf)
Visit the NIOSH Abrasive Blasting page.
Visit the OSHA Crystalline Silica resource page.
Browse PPE safety signs and labels at ComplianceSigns.com.
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