Sand blasting safety

Types of sand blasting safety

To one in charge of purchasing abrasive blasting equipment and ensuring the safety of those using it, knowing the different kinds of sand blast safety devices is essential. The key pieces of sandblasting safety equipment are highlighted below.

• Blast Helmet

  The blast helmet is typically made of lightweight fiberglass or plastic. It effectively protects the entire head and face of the person doing the sandblasting. Built-in features offer ample protection, such as a visor for eye and face guarding, a hearing protection inclusion that dampens exterior noises, and a communication system that allows the user to communicate with others in the blasting crew. Modern helmets are designed to be comfortable over extended use and give the user a feeling of security.

• Blast Hood

  The blast hood is very similar in function to the blast helmet, and it has some advantages over the helmet. It covers more of the wearer's neck and shoulders. It is commonly made from an aluminized fabric that is both sturdy and heat-resistant. The protective hood is lightweight and includes a face shield that prevents blasting material from hitting the face. It usually has double-pane optical face shields with anti-fog features, an inside comfort layer, and a communication system for crew communication. A blast hood is the optimal choice when the user requires full head and neck protection in addition to blast facial protection.

• Protective Shield

  Using a shield gives one more form of protection, as it includes a shroud around the area being sand blasted. The shield is anchored to a support frame and then moved while sandblasting. The protective sandblasting shield provides the operator with a fully enclosed area for the sandblasting while being able to stand in one stationary spot. It is often the preferred method when working on small parts that need sandblasting done away from the sandblasting equipment. The shield also helps control the dust from silica self-contained within the shroud area.

• Protective Chamber

  When large objects need sandblasting done, and one does not want to move the sandblasting equipment to the object as is usually done, a protective chamber may be utilized. The chamber is also known as a cabinet. It has the same goal as the protective shroud in that it surrounds the part being sandblasted. Detailed work can be done on complex parts in to ensure accurate and consistent results. The sandblaster gun can be maneuvered from its intended position while easily handling the object being sandblasted. Using the chamber to enclose an object further enhances the overall safety of the sandblasting process and minimizes the exposure to harmful dust created while sandblasting.

• Replacement Parts

  Many types of sandblasting equipment require additional spare parts for the helmet and blast hood. These can include particulate filters, cartridges for specific hazardous particles, and dual-port respiratory regulators, which can be configured with supplied air or combination gas/electric. If a user can replace the filters with those particular items, it can also save money and increase the equipment's lifespan.

Specification and Maintenance of Sand Blasting Safety

The sandblasting process is inherently risky. Hence, safety equipment is manufactured, such as respirators and helmets, each having unique specifications to be aware of. Training on the equipment before use is also essential for proper handling and maintenance.

Below are some general specifications observed for sandblasting safety gear.

• Respirator: They come in different sizes to account for various face dimensions. The cartridges can filter out specific particles, including silica, and are rated as P100 or N95, among otherclasses. For heavy-duty functions, a full-faced respirator works better than half.
• Sanding Blasting Helmet: Helmets are made to fit all head sizes and have features such as earmuffs, chinstraps, and adjustable face shields. They come in a universal size that fits up to 62 cm head circumference. The shield visor length is typically 12.7 cm and width 21.3 cm, with an adjustable depth from 10 to 15.2 cm. Other features include helmet lights for working in dark areas. The styling and material can also vary, from fiberglass to polycarbonate. For heavy-duty projects, a full-coverage helmet with an integrated air supply system is ideal.
• Blast Helmet: Like the sanding blasting helmets, these also vary in size and features, including a dual-layer thermal barrier for high-heat environments. The hoods can be made from different materials like Kevlar and Nomex to withstand extreme temperatures and provide protection against chemical burns.

Maintenance is to ensure they operate properly and remain safely effective. Below are some general maintenance tips for using sandblasting safety equipment.

• Clean the Item: Use a damp cloth and mild detergent to wipe the item's surface. Try to remove dirt and grime from the filters, breathing hoses, visors, and face pieces. Cleaning stations can be set up to help people maintain items properly anytime.
• Inspect for Damages: Remove any damaged items and replace them. Areas to check include the head and face parts of the blast helmet, straps, air supply pipes, and the seal against the face. Rely on the manufacturer's guide and get professional help whenever necessary.

Before using any safety gear, the user must impact train on its proper use and storage techniques. Blast walls and booths also need to have safety signage and instructions posted to increase the awareness of safely handling equipment when on-site.

Applications of sandblasting safety

The use of sandblasting safety equipment is widespread, and its importance cannot be overemphasized because materials need to be prepared for better levels of coating, paint, or adhesion.

Steel is a material that, when rust forms on it, requires sandblasting for the removal of rust if it is to be used for construction or anything at all. When sandblasted, the steel surface is also given a texture for making any sort of adherence to it easy.

Brick and stone surfaces also need to be sandblasted to get rid of any old paint and restore their surfaces to the original stone or brick. Bushed or honed surfaces are the kinds of stone or brick surfaces one will find after sandblasting.

Concrete is usually blasted in order to clean it of impurities, remove old coatings and also enhance its surface prior to any form of treatment that will include coating concreate.

Sandblasting is also used on metals like aluminum, bronze, brass, copper, and chrome, to name a few, in order to remove impurities like oil, grease, or dirt. Carbide nozzles and metallic surfaces require sandblasting when trying to remove oxidation and are usually sandblasted with metallic abrasives.

Glass sandblasting is done to affect the level of transparency of glass required by different industries. This kind of sandblasting is pneumatically controlled, and when people refer to sandblasting on glass, they are talking about the frosted effect that is produced on glass surfaces when sandblasting is done.

When attempting to achieve a textured surface on metal surfaces, denuded or rough surfaces, improve the surface area of metal to enhance adhesion or make a surface, smooth, glass sandblasting is the technique that is usually employed.

When making patterns on glass surfaces, sandblasting is also used to make decorative patterns on glass pictures. One will find that this method of sandblasting is usually commonly used on memorial and funeral pieces like monuments, tombs, and cemetery memorials.

How to choose sand blasting safety

When selecting items from the sandblasting safety equipment checklist, it helps to consider several essential factors.

• Apparent Threats

  The visible dangers in the sandblasting workplace should influence the selection of safety gear. The most evident risks are the harmful ones. For example, the apparent threat of strong abrasive bits in the air should warrant the use of breathing equipment, like respirators.

• Blast Visibility

  Sandblasting jobs often have low visibility, like dark tunnels. The low visibility is comparable to high-temperature jobs. In such scenarios, employers should prioritize selecting the right gear to improve visibility. For this reason, they should pick face shields and helmet visors that have anti-fogging and anti-scratch features.

• Machine Compatibility

  When selecting sandblasting safety gear, people should consider the compatibility with blasting equipment. Each kind of sandblaster has unique characteristics. Therefore, buyers need to get safety gear that goes well with the kind of machine that will be used. For instance, buyers should get respirators that can deal with the specific contaminant from the sandblasting machine.

• Working Duration

  The period of time that an employee will work in the hazardous area should be accounted for when selecting the safety device. When working in a high-risk zone, employees will spend more time in hazardous areas. Because of this, they need to get comfortable protective gear. This would ensure that they will be protected for lengthy durations.

• Regulatory Compliance

  When choosing any safety gear for sandblasting, regulatory compliance should be considered. Whatever device is considered should comply with the local regulatory standards. Especially those applicable to occupational health and safety.

• Ergonomics and Comfort

  Ultimately, when selecting the blasting safety gear, ergonomics and comfort should be considered. The sandblaster represents a demanding industry. Those who work in it will quickly get fatigued. Therefore, to ease the physical and mental burden, people should get safety gear that is adequately ventilated and lightweight. Moreover, gear with adjustable features and cushioning is recommended.

Sand blasting safety FAQs

Q1: Why is sandblasting abrasive safe?

A1: The abrasive used in sandblasting, known as silica or quartz sand, poses health risks. When inhaled, it can lead to serious lung problems, including silicosis, a disease caused by sand crystallization in the human lungs. One major reason is that it is no longer used in many industrial settings, making it unpopular.

Q2: Why is it crucial to follow safety precautions during sandblasting?

A2: Sandblasting safety is essential to prevent accidents like explosions, breathing in harmful dust, getting hit in the body by bouncing abrasive material, harming eyesight from flying particles, or damaging any equipment. Also, ensure the person's safety by standing away from the blasting area and using only recommended abrasives for sandblasting safety equipment.

Q3: Is there a way to prevent silica dust during sandblasting?

A3: To stop silica dust during sandblasting from becoming a problem for everyone, please use low-dust silica sand, misting nozzles with water, vacuum extraction systems, or wet abrasive blasting techniques. Using PPE like respirators is also very important. Because respirators filter the air a person breathes in, they help keep people safe from breathing in any small silica sand particles.

Q4: What happens if the sandblasting operator does not wear a safety mask?

A4: The operator could suffer severe health issues like lung damage or possibly even death from dust entering the lungs. This highlights the importance of operator safety.