Grit Blasting Safety

Grit blasting is often used in the ship building industry to remove paint from the surface of a boat. This process can pose a number of potential health hazards to employees. Safety measures can help protect the worker from injury.

The Hazards

• Grit blasting involves using pressurized air to shoot an abrasive substance onto a surface. The air is pressurized at around 100 pounds per square inch. The worker can be exposed to excessive noise levels and toxic dust in the air. Metals such as arsenic, aluminum and barium can be in the air, leading to various health issues. These can include issues with the respiratory system and the possibility of developing cancer.

Features

• The company can set up a closed off blasting room where the work is carried out. The room must have adequate ventilation which keeps dust from building up in the area. The ventilation system must also keep the contaminated dust from exposing workers in other areas. Those outside of the room should wear protective hoods and a respirator designed for blasting operations.

Other Considerations

• The area where the grit blasting is done should be far from other work areas to reduce exposure. The area should be closed off, with proper warning signs posted. Workers doing blasting should not eat or drink in the work area, take a shower before leaving work and put on a new change of clothing. Personal protective gear including hearing protection, gloves and aprons can help to reduce exposure to the dust.