Abrasive Blasting

What are the hazards associated with abrasive blasting?

The hazards associated with abrasive blasting can impact the health of workers performing abrasive blasting and workers in close proximity to an abrasive blasting operation. Abrasive blasting produces respirable size particles when the blasting abrasive impacts the surface of the substrate on which abrasive blasting is done. When the blasting abrasive or the substrate on which blasting is done contains silica, exposure to respirable crystalline silica can occur. In the absence of appropriate engineering controls (e.g., exhaust ventilation) and/or appropriate respiratory protection, continuous exposure can lead to the development of silicosis in exposed workers.

Abrasive blasting can also expose workers to toxic metals such as lead through inhalation when abrasive blasting is performed on substrates that contain toxic metals or are coated with substances that contain a toxic metal, such as lead-based paint.  

Exposure to excessive noise also occurs during abrasive blasting operations. This, along with the inhalation hazards discussed, becomes magnified when abrasive blasting occurs in an enclosed space.

What can I do to protect myself and others?

Substitution. Use silica-free abrasives for abrasive blasting operations whenever possible. A wide variety of silica-free abrasives are available including, but are not limited to, stainless steel shot, garnet and crushed nut shells.

Engineering controls. Whenever possible, abrasive blasting operations should be conducted in an enclosure, such as a blast cabinet, that isolates the blasting operation and the airborne contaminants generated from the worker. When this is not possible, the use of ventilation to move contaminated air away from the employee should be utilized.

Personal protective equipment. When substitution and engineering controls are not sufficient to maintain airborne exposures below permissible exposure limits (PELs) or, in the absence of applicable PELs, recommended exposure limits, appropriate respiratory protection must be used. The only type of respirator that is NIOSH-approved for use in abrasive blasting operations is a Type CE supplied-air respirator which incorporates additional protection to prevent scratching of the face shield by abrasives and other particles generated.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Training and Outreach Services

Presentations on a variety of topics associated with abrasive blasting are available to assist employers in training their staff. These include: silica (construction), silica (general industry); noise exposure; hazard communication; respiratory protection; personal protective equipment (construction); personal protection equipment (general industry); health hazards special emphasis program; confined spaces (construction); and confined spaces (general industry). Each of these presentations should be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video service) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Programs

Safety and health programs relative to abrasive blasting include: hazard communication program; personal protective equipment hazard assessment; respiratory protection program; confined space program (general industry); confined space program (construction); and hearing conservation program. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions. 

Safety and Health Topics

Related safety and health topics include noise, respiratory protection, hazard communication, confined spaces, silica, health hazards special emphasis program, ventilation, and personal protective equipment can provide additional resource information.

Consultation Services

Lastly, the consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to abrasive blasting in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic. 

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D - walking-working surfaces
  • 29 CFR 1910.22 - general requirements
• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart G - occupational health and environmental control
  • 29 CFR 1910.94 - ventilation
  • 29 CFR 1910.95 - occupational noise exposure
• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I – personal protective equipment
  • 29 CFR 1910.132 – general requirements
  • 29 CFR 1910.133 – eye and face protection
  • 29 CFR 1910.134 - respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart J - general environmental controls
  • 29 CFR 1910.146 - permit-required confined spaces
• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart P - hand and portable powered tools and other hand-held equipment
  • 29 CFR 1910.244 - other portable tools and equipment (paragraph b, abrasive blast cleaning nozzles)
• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances
  • 29 CFR 1910.1025 - lead
  • 29 CFR 1910.1053 - respirable crystalline silica
  • 29 CFR 1910.1200 - hazard communication

Maritime, Shipyard Employment

• 29 CFR 1915 Subpart B - confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres in shipyard employment
• 29 CFR 1915 Subpart I - personal protective equipment
  • 29 CFR 1915.151 - scope, application and definitions
  • 29 CFR 1915.152 - general requirements
  • 29 CFR 1915.153 - eye and face protection
  • 29 CFR 1915.154 - respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1915 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances
  • 29 CFR 1915.1025 - lead
  • 29 CFR 1915.1053 - respirable crystalline silica

Maritime, Marine Terminals

• 29 CFR 1917.1(a)(2)(i) - abrasive blasting
• 29 CFR 1917.1(a)(2)(vi) - hazard communication
• 29 CFR 1917.1(a)(2)(xii) - toxic and hazardous substances
• 29 CFR 1917.1(a)(2)(x) - respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1917.91 - eye and face protection

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart C - general safety and health provisions
  • 29 CFR 1926.20 – general safety and health provisions
  • 29 CFR 1926.21 – safety training and education
  • 29 CFR 1926.25 - housekeeping
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart D - occupational health and environmental controls
  • 29 CFR 1926.52 - occupational noise exposure
  • 29 CFR 1926.57 - ventilation
  • 29 CFR 1926.62 - lead
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart E - personal protective and life-saving equipment
  • 29 CFR 1926.95 - criteria for personal protective equipment
  • 29 CFR 1926.101 - hearing protection
  • 29 CFR 1926.102 - eye and face protection
  • 29 CFR 1926.103 - respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart I - tools - hand and power
  • 29 CFR 1926.302 - power-operated hand tools (paragraph (b)(10), abrasive blast cleaning nozzles)
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances
  • 29 CFR 1926.1153 - respirable crystalline silica
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA - confined spaces in construction

Recordkeeping

• Refer to Recording and Reporting

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may also be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to abrasive blasting in construction.
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to abrasive blasting in general industry.
• Industry Guide 53 - OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to abrasive blasting in shipyard employment.

Compliance Documents

• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-124 - Multi-Employer Citation Policy provides guidance to Compliance Officers regarding the issuance of citations for employers who exercise control in creating, controlling, exposing and correcting hazards for their employees and those of other employers on site.
• Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 135 - Special Emphasis Program for Exposures to Health Hazards provides Compliance Officers with guidance regarding the conduct of inspections where employees may be exposed to specific chemical substances, including silica and lead.

Technical Assistance

Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.