15. Grit Blasting (Sand Blasting)

Abrasive grit blasting (also commonly known as abrasive blasting or sandblasting) involves forcibly propelling an abrasive material against a surface under high pressure.

Different variants of the blasting process involve different media, which range in their levels of abrasiveness, with some being highly abrasive while others are very mild in effect.
The most abrasive methods include shot blasting (which uses metal shot) and sandblasting.

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Hazard Category	Hazards	Controls
Foreign Bodies in Eyes	1. With the nature of blasting activities (releasing small particles of grit at high speeds) There will always be an ever present hazard of eye injuries. These injuries can be much more serious, However, If the correct personal protective equipment(PPE) is not worn.	1. Supervisors shall ensure that PPE is provided and worn at all times, i.e. gogles and/or faceshield. 2. Operators shall wear eye protection at all times. 3. Safety goggles or full face shield shall be worn by the operators.
Inhalation of Dusts	1. Both long and short term health risks can occur through the continuous inhalation of dusts, etc. omitted during the grit blasting operation.	1. Personnel shall wear respiratory protective equipment (RPE) at all times. 2. Health monitoring shall be required where  operators are involved in grit blasting activities on a daily basis, over a long period of time.
Uncontrolled Disconnection of Live Air Lines	1. Serious injuries can occur to personnel if high perssure air lines should disconnect during use, apart from the hazard of the air line “Whipping” around the area uncontrolled, contact with compressed air can cause serious health risks.	1. All connections on airlines shall be fitted with “R-Clips” and “Whiplines” to prevent the airlines from seperating. 2. Personnel shall wear suitable PPE when working with high pressure air, i.e. coveralls, safety boots, gloves, face and eye protection. 3. All airlines shall be isolated when not in use. 4. Personnel shall ensure that they can isolate the  air source quickly in the event of an incident.
Equpment Failure	1. Equipment failure can occur if routine maintenance programs are not in place to monitor the equipments performance and intergrity.	1. All equipment shall be maintained and monitored on a regular basis. 2. All equipment shall be inspected prior to use for any damages, etc. 3. Equipment shall be handled with great care to prevent damage. 4. All equipment shall be stored in safe area
Injuries to other Personnel	1. Injuries can occur to other personnel during grit blasting  activities if “Safe systems of work” have not been implemented.	1. Barriers shall be erected around the “Danger” blasting area to prevent access to unauthorized personnel. 2. Hazard/warning signs shall also be erected to warn other personnel. 3. Only authorized personnel shall be permitted in the “Danger” area. 4. The blasting area shall be adquately enclosed  “Black boxed” to prevent dust spreading to other  areas. 5. Precedures shall be implemented in the event of an emergency.
Fall of Personnel	1. Serious injuries can occur if suitable working platforms have not been provided to operate the blasting equipment from i.e. falls, trip and slips. Any one of these could result in the uncontrolled release of the blasting equipment.	1. Suitable access platforms shall be provided to all areas where grit blasting will take place. 2. Access platforms shall be kept clean and tidy at all times to prevent a build up of combustible materials and tripping hazards which could prove dangerous in the event of an emergency. 3. Cables and airlines, etc. shall be kept out of access/egress routes.
Hearing Damage	1. Personnel can suffer both short and long term hearing through exposure to high levels of noise.	1. Supervisors shall carry out a noise assessment to identify the noise levels for which personnel are being exposed. 2. Hearing protection shall be provided to all personnel. 3. Personnel shall wear hearing protection at all times when in noisy areas.

Sand Blasting으로 흔히 불리는 Grit Blasting은 목적에 따라 사용하는 재료가 달라집니다.

탱크 내/외부, 배관 내부 등 목적이 어디인지 확인 후에 작업환경에 따른 위험요소를 확인하세요.

저는 모래(규소)를 이용한 Sand Blasting을 접했지만, 쇠구슬(?메탈), 플라스틱 외에도 다양한 재료를 통해 사용되고 있습니다. 현장에서 Sand Blasting 작업이 필요한 상황이라면 고압호스/기계장치 등의 점검은 필수!!

호흡용 보호구는 필수!!!

일반적으로 먼지가 너무 많이 발생되어 주변에서 다른 작업을 하기가 어려워 야간에 이뤄지는 경향이 많습니다.

야간작업을 위한 조명, 작업대 등을 고려하고, 개인보호구 상태도 확인하셔야 합니다.

기억하세요. 먼지가 어마어마 합니다. 근로자 개인보호구 필히 챙겨주세요.