Keep your employees safer and compliant
In our usual blog discussions, we thoroughly review issues or topics before presenting our recommendations or findings at the end. However, since operator safety is a critical issue and many readers may not reach the end of this post, we feel it’s important to share this recommendation upfront. If you take away nothing else from this post, please make sure to read our disclaimer below.
Important Safety Disclaimer: Recommendations for Sandblasters
No matter the make, model, or type of sandblaster you’re using—whether it’s wet, dry, or sponge blast systems—we strongly recommend that your operators wear NIOSH-certified respiratory protection. This should include a supplied air respirator helmet, an airline filter for oils and particulates, and a gas monitor for detecting CO and other harmful gases. This recommendation applies irrespective of the abrasive type, even if it’s labeled as environmentally friendly or ‘safe. Inhaling abrasive dust can cause irritation and lung damage at the very least, and in many cases, it can lead to severe health issues, including long-term respiratory diseases. Regardless of claims about the safety of an abrasive, the only way to guarantee your operator’s safety is to use appropriate respiratory protection.
Now that we’ve addressed that, let’s dive into why this topic is relevant today.
Should My Sandblaster Utilize Respiratory Protection?
Recently, I had a customer reach out with a request for recommendations on more environmentally friendly abrasives. Specifically, they wanted to know if there’s an abrasive that could eliminate the need for their operators to wear supplied air respirators. They are currently using coal slag in a dry sandblasting pot but are seeking an alternative media that would not necessitate medical evaluations for their operators. My first response was to advise them against eliminating supplied air respirators as part of their operator personal protective measures. Additionally, I informed him that I wasn’t aware of any OSHA guidelines indicating that certain abrasives void responsibility for operator respiratory protection.
This isn’t the first time I’ve had this conversation, but it underscored that I’m still unclear about OSHA’s stance on the matter. I’m not alone in this confusion—many industry experts have different interpretations of OSHA’s guidelines. So, I revisited the internet to find any relevant OSHA information on sandblast operator safety and respiratory protection. What I learned left me with more questions than answer, here are some of the key sections:
Standards Addressing Sandblast Operator Safety:
Below, we outline the OSHA standards relevant to sandblaster operator safety. Although we will provide detailed information on each standard later in the blog post, here is a summary of each one. We strongly recommend that all sandblasters and their employers review the full OSHA standards, as they offer nuanced guidance and are subject to interpretation rather than providing explicit rules.
- General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1))
- Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134)
- Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153 for Construction)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard (29 CFR 1910.132)
Additionally, some of the standards listed below either specifically mention sandblasting or can be interpreted as applicable to sandblasting operations and their employers. While these standards are relevant to sandblasters, they do not specifically address respiratory protection.
- Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- Noise Standard (29 CFR 1910.95)
- Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Standard (29 CFR 1910.147)
General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1))
The General Duty Clause does not explicitly reference sandblasting. Instead, it establishes a broad obligation for employers to maintain a safe workplace free from recognized hazards that could lead to serious injury or death. Although it doesn’t directly address sandblasting, it applies to sandblasting operations if they involve recognized hazards not specifically covered by other OSHA standards. In these instances, the General Duty Clause requires employers to take proactive measures to identify and mitigate such hazards
Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134)
The Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) mandates that employers must provide and sustain effective respiratory protection for workers exposed to hazardous conditions. This involves identifying hazards, choosing the right respirators, performing fit tests, and offering training on proper use and care. Additionally, employers must establish procedures for cleaning and storing respirators and regularly review and update their respiratory protection programs to maintain their effectiveness.
Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153 for Construction)
The Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153 for Construction) requires employers to implement engineering and administrative controls to reduce silica dust exposure, such as using water or ventilation systems. It also mandates air monitoring to measure silica levels, and requires keeping records of exposure data and conducting medical surveillance for affected employees. Furthermore, employers must offer training on silica hazards and establish a medical surveillance program for workers who are exposed to silica.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard (29 CFR 1910.132)
The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard (29 CFR 1910.132) requires employers to assess workplace hazards to determine PPE needs, select suitable equipment, and train employees on its use and maintenance. Employers must ensure PPE is maintained, cleaned, and replaced as needed, provide it at no cost, and keep records of hazard assessments and PPE provided. Regular inspections are also necessary to ensure PPE remains effective.
CONCLUSION:
In summary, while our blog usually provides a thorough review of issues before offering recommendations, operator safety is so crucial that we wanted to highlight it upfront. If you remember nothing else, please pay attention to our safety disclaimer. Regardless of the sandblaster type or abrasive used NIOSH-certified respiratory protection is essential. This includes a supplied air respirator helmet, an airline filter, and a gas monitor. Inhaling abrasive dust can cause serious health problems, so proper respiratory protection is vital.
Today we’ve outlined key OSHA standards relevant to sandblasting safety, including the General Duty Clause, the Respiratory Protection Standard, the Silica Standard, and the PPE Standard. Each of these standards provides guidance that, while sometimes vague and open to interpretation, is crucial for ensuring worker safety. Below you will see detailed bullet points from each OSHA standard discussed in the post.
If you require assistance in selecting the appropriate personal protective equipment, please do not hesitate to contact us. At Blue Dog Blasting, we offer a comprehensive range of parts, equipment, and safety gear to ensure you are fully equipped for your blasting needs. Let us help Get Out There & Blast!
Detailed Bullet Point Review of OSHA Standards for Sandblast Operator Safety
General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1))
No Specific Standard: The General Duty Clause does not provide specific safety standards but serves as a catch-all provision to ensure general safety and health in the workplace.
Enforcement: OSHA can invoke the General Duty Clause to cite employers for not addressing serious hazards that are broadly recognized as dangerous.
Applicability: It is particularly relevant when specific standards do not address certain hazards, such as emerging risks or non-standard working conditions.
Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134):
The Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) sets forth requirements for employers to ensure they provide and maintain effective respiratory protection for their employees. Key elements include:
Assessment of Respiratory Hazards: Employers must evaluate the workplace to identify potential respiratory hazards and determine the need for respirators.
Respirator Selection: Employers must choose suitable respirators based on the identified hazards and ensure they are appropriate for the specific conditions.
Fit Testing: Employees must undergo fit testing to confirm that the respirator creates a proper seal on their face.
Training: Employers must provide training on the proper use, maintenance, and limitations of respirators.
Maintenance and Care: Employers must establish procedures for cleaning, storing, and maintaining respirators to ensure their continued effectiveness.
Program Evaluation: Employers must regularly evaluate the respiratory protection program to ensure its continued effectiveness.
Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153 for Construction):
Objective: To protect construction workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica
Silica Exposure Limits: Establishes permissible exposure limits for silica dust (PEL’s)
Preventive Measures: Requires employers to implement engineering and administrative controls to minimize silica dust exposure, including guidelines for using water or ventilation systems to reduce dust.
Respiratory Protection: Mandates the use of respirators when controls are not sufficient to meet PELs.
Monitoring and Compliance: Employers are required to conduct air monitoring to assess silica exposure levels and must keep records of exposure data and medical surveillance
Training and Health Programs: Employers must provide training on silica hazards and safe work practices and establish a medical surveillance program for workers exposed to silica
Workplace Safety: Outlines requirements for worksite safety plans and procedures to mitigate silica hazards.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard (29 CFR 1910.132):
Hazard Assessment: Employers are required to perform a comprehensive workplace assessment to identify hazards that necessitate the use of PPE
PPE Selection: Employers must choose suitable PPE based on the identified hazards
Training: Employees must receive training on the proper use, maintenance, and limitations of PPE.
Maintenance: Employers must ensure that PPE is regularly maintained, cleaned, and replaced as needed to remain effective.
Documentation: Employers must record the hazard assessment and document the types of PPE provided.
PPE Provision: Employers must supply PPE to employees at no cost and ensure it is used correctly.
Regular Inspections: PPE must be routinely inspected to ensure it remains in good condition and continues to function effectively