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.