Table of Contents
Advertisement
Protecting Workers from the Hazards of
Abrasive Blasting Materials
Abrasive blasting uses compressed air or water to direct a high velocity stream of
an abrasive material to clean an object or surface, remove burrs, apply a texture, or
prepare a surface for the application of paint or other type of coating. Employers
must protect workers from hazardous dust levels and toxic metals that may be
generated from both the blasting material and the underlying substrate and coatings
being blasted. This fact sheet provides information on abrasive blasting material,
health hazards, and methods to protect workers.
Abrasive Blasting Materials
The decision to use a certain type of abrasive
material can depend on factors such as cost, job
specifications, environment, and worker health.
Commonly used abrasive materials:
• Silica sand (crystalline)
• Coal slag
• Garnet sand
• Nickel slag
• Copper slag
• Glass (beads or crushed)
• Steel shot
• Steel grit
• Specular hematite (iron ore)
Alternative, less toxic blasting materials include:
• Ice cubes
• Dry ice
• Plastic bead media
• Sponge
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Abrasive blasting creates high levels of dust. Photo courtesy
of NIOSH.
© 2020 Hess & Associates
FactSheet
• Ground walnut shells, ground corn cob and
other biodegradable materials
• High pressure water
Abrasive blasting creates high levels of
noise that can cause substantial hearing
loss. Always wear hearing protection.
Employers must administer a hearing
conservation program as required by the
OSHA
Occupational Noise
Health Hazards
Abrasive blasting operations can create high
levels of dust and noise. Abrasive material
and the surface being blasted may contain
toxic materials (e.g., lead paint, silica) that are
hazardous to workers.
• Silica sand (crystalline) can cause silicosis,
lung cancer, and breathing problems in
exposed workers.
• Coal slag and garnet sand may cause lung
damage similar to silica sand (based on
preliminary animal testing).
• Copper slag, nickel slag, and glass (crushed
or beads) also have the potential to cause
lung damage.
• Steel grit and shot have less potential to cause
lung damage.
• Slags can contain trace amounts of toxic metals
such as arsenic, beryllium, and cadmium.
Man. # 561 v02-02 8/2020
**** CAUTION ****
standard.
Page 3
Advertisement
Table of Contents
