Concrete Pavers: Ideas, Inspiration and Information

DIY Sand Blasting: Potential Risks And Their Management

13 June 2016 by Benjamin Rice

Sand blasting is one of the most common techniques that a homeowner can use to eliminate rust from a metal surface. Sand blasting is often preferred over other abrasive rust-removal techniques because sand-blasting equipment is relatively easy to use.

There are a number of safety concerns associated with the sand blasting process. DIY-minded homeowners need to know what these risks are and how these risks can be managed. The article below provides a discussion on the same.

Exposure To Toxic Compounds

For example, metal drainage pipes will often have a paint-based finish. The paint used on the steel pipe may contain significant quantities of lead. Also, the sand used in the blasting process is known to contain silica. Long-term exposure to lead and/or silica is known to have a negative impact on the respiratory health of an individual, often causing lung-related problems such as silicosis.

Exposure To Dust

The sand-blasting process is almost synonymous with the release of large quantities of dust into atmospheric air. Exposure to such dust may be responsible for a number of allergic reactions (e.g. non-stop sneezing and a possible asthma attack) during the blasting process.

Dust from sand blasting may also affect those not involved in the blasting exercise (e.g. family members) by interfering with the quality of air in both interior and exterior living spaces.

Exposure To Rebounding Abrasive Compounds

DIY-minded homeowners should also be mindful of the fact that abrasive debris (e.g. sand particles and wayward bits of steel grit) can easily cause harm when they bounce off the rusty metal surface and are projected back towards the person using the sand blaster.

This is especially common when the extent of rust on the metal surface is severe, thereby creating the need for a more aggressive release of the abrasive particles onto the metal.

Risk Management

Contrary to what many may believe, sand blasting doesn't necessarily need to involve the use of sand as the abrasive material. DIY-minded homeowners can mitigate against the risk of exposure to silica by using a less toxic abrasive material (e.g. bi-carbonate of soda).

The dangers of exposure to lead contained in paint finishes can be mitigated through the use of chemical paint strippers as opposed to sandpaper/blowtorches to remove the paint from the metal surface.

Exposure to dust during sand blasting can be mitigated by introducing a jet of water into the blast area prior to the actual blasting. Alternatively, DIY-minded homeowners can invest in a ventilation exhaust system that will capture the dust produced from the blasting exercise.

The risk of injury from rebounding abrasive materials is mitigated through the use of personal protective equipment (e.g. safety goggles and helmets) during the blasting exercise.

Share