06.I.03 Blasting without Enclosures.
- If abrasive blasting must be performed inside a building without enclosures, respiratory protection must be provided for all employees in the area. Portable engineering control devices must be used at the location to collect the entire used abrasive agent as it is applied.
This worker is wearing protection against dust from blasting.
- When airborne abrasive-blasting dust becomes sufficiently heavy in an area to cause a temporary safety hazard by reduced visibility, or discomfort to the unprotected employees not engaged in abrasive blasting, such operations in the affected area must be discontinued until the airborne dust is removed by exhaust ventilation and the settled dust has been removed from the horizontal surfaces in the area. If such operations have to continue, appropriate respiratory protection must be provided to those employees remaining in the area.
- Abrasive materials must not be allowed to accumulate on aisles and walkways to create a slipping hazard.
- If wet abrasive blasting is employed to reduce dust exposures, the aerosols produced and the dried residues that become airborne might be potential hazards and must be considered.
06.I.04 Confined spaces.
Abrasive blasting work conducted in a confined space must be performed in accordance with Section 34. If the space is mechanically ventilated, means must be provided to collect dust before release to the open atmosphere.
06.I.05 Blasting Outdoors.
- Work completed outside has been shown to create exposures to health hazards for the worker and other trades in the area. Air and noise samples must be taken to document the level of exposure to the worker and the workers in the area, unless similar operations documented no exposure. Blasters must be protected in a manner equivalent to Section 05 and/or 29 CFR 1910.94(a)(5), whichever is more stringent.
- Engineering controls and work practices, such as wet blasting methods, must be used to prevent the dust cloud from spreading to other work areas. Check with Local and State requirements which may add restrictions to outdoor abrasive blasting. If the surface to be blasted is painted or contains high levels of silica and/or heavy metals, such as lead, chromium, or cadmium, an enclosure may be required to prevent disbursement of the hazard.
- Hearing protection and respiratory protection must be available to all employees in the area unless noise and air sampling documents the workers are not exposed to the blasting agent or contaminants from the blasted surface.
06.I.06 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Selection and use of PPE must be in accordance with Section 05. If reusable coveralls are used, they must be vacuumed before all breaks and removed at the end of the shift. Clothes must not be taken home to be cleaned by the worker or family, but must be laundered by the employer.
- Air-supplied helmets, blast helmets/hoods, dust respirators, ear muffs, safety boots or toe guards, durable coveralls, closeable at wrists, ankles, and other openings, and safety glasses should be an individual issue item, identified with and used by only one employee. Such equipment may be reissued to another employee only after complete cleaning, repair, and decontamination.
- Means must be provided to clean and store air-supplied respiratory equipment after each shift of use. Storage must be in a clean enclosure such as locker, footlocker, plastic container or zip-lock type bag. Employees must be trained to maintain issued equipment in clean and good working condition.
- Replacement of prescription or plano safety glasses must be made if multiple pitting or etching is visible in the center of the lenses.
- Replacement of faceplates in air-supplied helmets and blast helmets/hoods must take place when a side-on light source produces obscuring visible reflections and glare from the etched spots and pit holes in the faceplate. Mylar coating, or similar transparent plastic material, is recommended to protect the glass or plastic faceplate.
- Length of air hose may not be altered from the manufacturer's specifications.
- Daily checks must be performed by the wearer of PPE to maintain it in good working condition. Rips, tears, and openings of PPE that expose skin to abrasive agents must be mended or replaced. Functional tests for leaks, proper respiration, and good connections must be performed on the complete air-supply system.
- Air supply - portable.
- (1) The breathable air supplied to the blast helmet or hood must be drawn from an oil and carbon monoxide free air compressor. The compressor used for blasting cannot be used for breathing air. Breathable air-supply system should be equipped, if possible, with audible alarm at the helmet or hood to warn the user of low air pressure.
- (2) Hearing protection. Suitable hearing protection, capable of attenuating employee noise exposure as discussed in Section 05.C, must be worn inside the blast helmet or hood unless hearing protection is an integral part of such helmet or hood.
- (3) Heat stress. Cooling of breathable air, supplied to the blast helmets/hoods, should be considered depending on season and employee exposure to heat sources.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-16. When blasting outdoors, what is a preferred engineering control method to prevent the dust cloud from spreading to other work areas.
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