Best Practices for Hammering
- Jackhammers and handheld powered chipping tools: Two primary strategies may be used to reduce exposures:
- Use tools with water delivery systems that supply a continuous stream or spray of water at the point of impact.
- Use tools equipped with commercially available shrouds and dust collection systems.
For both strategies, when used outdoors, and when exposure is less than or equal to 4 hours during the workshift, respiratory protection is not required. However if exposure is greater than 4 hours during the work shift, AFP 10 respiratory protection is required. When used indoors, AFP 10 respiratory protection is always required. This strategy may be used indoors or outdoors.
Best Practices for Blasting
Sandblasting-Metal Construction
- Handheld abrasive blasting equipment: Several strategies are possible for blasting tasks:
- Use less toxic abrasive material like ground walnut shells or plastic beads.
- Use abrasives that can be delivered with water (slurry) to reduce dust.
- Use barriers and curtain walls to isolate the blasting operation.
- Use exhaust ventilation systems in containment structures to capture dust. See video.
Always use appropriate HEPA-filtered vacuuming. If exposed to silica dust levels above the action level, be sure to use appropriate air supplied respirators.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-6. Which control strategy is an engineering control for limiting exposure while using hand-held abrasive blasting equipment?
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