POSITION PAPER

ABRASIVE BLASTING
Hazards
The abrasive blasting process carries a high risk of hazardous dust exposure
for operators and other persons working in the vicinity. Exposure to silicon
dust can cause a progressive lung disease known as silicosis, and exposure
to lead is a common hazard when blasting old paint. Other hazardous dusts
may also be generated depending on what is being blasted or the abrasive
used.
Other hazards that may arise from the blasting process include:

noise
injury from flying debris
manual handling
heat
dust explosion.

Legislation
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (OHS Regulation 2001)
requires employers to ensure that abrasive blasting operations are carried out
in a blasting enclosure and persons in that enclosure are wearing appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE).
Where it is not reasonably practicable to carry out blasting in an enclosure, it
is necessary to:

minimise the area exposed to dust

install hazard signs
wear PPE
remove all unnecessary people from the area.

The OHS Regulation 2001 also requires the employer to provide supplied air
respirators for blasting operators and appropriate respirators for other persons
who may be exposed to dust.

Chapters 5 (Plant) and Chapter 6 (Hazardous Substances) of the OHS

Regulations 2001 are also particularly relevant to abrasive blasting.
The regulation also prohibits the use of sand or other forms of crystalline
silicon dioxide in abrasive blasting.

What should be done?

Abrasive blasting is a hazardous process that requires experienced operators.
Employers and operators need to identify and assess all the hazards of the
task and ensure that appropriate controls, including equipment and safe
systems of work, are utilised. Consult with your staff about the process, the
potential hazards and the best ways to reduce the risks.
Consideration needs to be given to containment of the process and
appropriate dust extraction and filtration equipment associated with
permanent or temporary enclosures. These enclosures must provide a safe
work environment for operators and others who may be exposed, and
appropriate respirators and PPE must be provided.
Operators of plant and equipment must be adequately trained and employers
should seek the advice of the suppliers of the equipment and consumables on
the safe use of their products.

Where do I get more information?

Manuals and operators guides provided by equipment suppliers should be
used as a first point of reference.
For further practical guidance the Queensland Work Health and Safety
abrasive blasting code of practice is very informative. See
http://www.whs.qld.gov.au/icp/icp003v1.pdf
How to prevent silicosis is a useful brochure published by WorkCover and
may be ordered on the WorkCover website.
For further information, contact your local Workcover office listed in the
telephone directory or ring the WorkCover Information Centre on 13 10 50.
Produced by the State Coordinator Hazardous Processes
September 2003