Sandblasting operations can present risks to workers’ health and safety and to their respiratory system in particular because it is the most exposed part of the body to this kind of problem as the hazardous dust which develops during the blasting phase may be easily inhaled by workers.
Sandblasting blasting: health and safety risks
Sandblasting is a technique used in the industrial and crafts sectors to smooth rough surfaces or remove paint or other material. It is a mechanical process which exploits the action of abrasive material such as sand, propelled at high pressure and which necessarily requires the presence of an operator to coordinate the processing, the ultimate goal of which, is a completely clean surface ready to be finished off. This procedure can cause a lot of damage to the health of the workers involved as the large amount of dust which develop finds its way into the respiratory system very easily where it is deposited and it becomes very difficult to expel
Sandblasting surface cleaning operations pose multiple risks to the health and safety of the worker and to the respiratory system in particular. In fact sandblasters are continuously exposed to and inhale the dust and particles which develop during abrasion. As blasting is carried out on metal, plastic coatings, paints, and similar products, it goes without saying that the micro particles contain elements which are hazardous for the human body and which are absorbed through the breathing process. These elements, cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, at first, generating illnesses of varying degrees which, in some cases, become chronic and thus are no longer treatable with traditional medicine. Thereafter, continuous, long-term exposure can cause a build-up of these micro-particles in the respiratory system, predominantly the lungs and bronchi, which may lead to particular types of rarely curable cancer and consequently to death. Obviously, not all sandblasters face the certainty of developing tumors – there is a wide variety of personal protective equipment available on the market to protect workers from inhaling hazardous substances.
All workers in this sector are obliged by law to wear sandblasting respiratory protective devices for the protection of the respiratory tract.
Which devices to use when sandblasting
A sandblasting respirator is a device that protects workers against the risk inhaling the hazardous fine dusts present in the abrasive blasting work environment. The respiratory protective device (RPD) particularly recommended for this type of work is a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) equipped with helmet. This type of respirator is composed of a blower unit fitted with particle filters and powered by a battery which draws air through the filters, and then conveys the clean air through a breathing tube to the inside of the helmet. Any excess air is expelled through check valves. Since these devices are essential to ensure the health of workers, the blower units are usually equipped with an audible alarm signal which warns the wearer when the filters have become clogged or the battery is running low in order to carry out the replacement of filters or recharging of the battery in good time.
Kasco srl manufacturers and supplies Respiratory Protective Devices having all the above described features for use in industrial environments in general and, more specifically, for sandblasting.
Dec 11 2017
Sandblasting – health risks and prevention
Sandblasting blasting: health and safety risks
Sandblasting is a technique used in the industrial and crafts sectors to smooth rough surfaces or remove paint or other material. It is a mechanical process which exploits the action of abrasive material such as sand, propelled at high pressure and which necessarily requires the presence of an operator to coordinate the processing, the ultimate goal of which, is a completely clean surface ready to be finished off. This procedure can cause a lot of damage to the health of the workers involved as the large amount of dust which develop finds its way into the respiratory system very easily where it is deposited and it becomes very difficult to expel
Sandblasting surface cleaning operations pose multiple risks to the health and safety of the worker and to the respiratory system in particular. In fact sandblasters are continuously exposed to and inhale the dust and particles which develop during abrasion. As blasting is carried out on metal, plastic coatings, paints, and similar products, it goes without saying that the micro particles contain elements which are hazardous for the human body and which are absorbed through the breathing process. These elements, cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, at first, generating illnesses of varying degrees which, in some cases, become chronic and thus are no longer treatable with traditional medicine. Thereafter, continuous, long-term exposure can cause a build-up of these micro-particles in the respiratory system, predominantly the lungs and bronchi, which may lead to particular types of rarely curable cancer and consequently to death. Obviously, not all sandblasters face the certainty of developing tumors – there is a wide variety of personal protective equipment available on the market to protect workers from inhaling hazardous substances.
Which devices to use when sandblasting
A sandblasting respirator is a device that protects workers against the risk inhaling the hazardous fine dusts present in the abrasive blasting work environment. The respiratory protective device (RPD) particularly recommended for this type of work is a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) equipped with helmet. This type of respirator is composed of a blower unit fitted with particle filters and powered by a battery which draws air through the filters, and then conveys the clean air through a breathing tube to the inside of the helmet. Any excess air is expelled through check valves. Since these devices are essential to ensure the health of workers, the blower units are usually equipped with an audible alarm signal which warns the wearer when the filters have become clogged or the battery is running low in order to carry out the replacement of filters or recharging of the battery in good time.
Kasco srl manufacturers and supplies Respiratory Protective Devices having all the above described features for use in industrial environments in general and, more specifically, for sandblasting.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •