FactSheet

Protecting Workers from the Hazards of

Abrasive Blasting Materials
Abrasive blasting uses compressed air or water to direct a high velocity stream of
an abrasive material to clean an object or surface, remove burrs, apply a texture, or
prepare a surface for the application of paint or other type of coating. Employers
must protect workers from hazardous dust levels and toxic metals that may be
generated from both the blasting material and the underlying substrate and coatings
being blasted. This fact sheet provides information on abrasive blasting material,
health hazards, and methods to protect workers.

Abrasive Blasting Materials • Ground walnut shells, ground corn cob and
The decision to use a certain type of abrasive other biodegradable materials
material can depend on factors such as cost, job • High pressure water
specifications, environment, and worker health.

Commonly used abrasive materials:

**** CAUTION ****
• Silica sand (crystalline)
Abrasive blasting creates high levels of
• Coal slag
noise that can cause substantial hearing
• Garnet sand
loss. Always wear hearing protection.
• Nickel slag
Employers must administer a hearing
• Copper slag
conservation program as required by the
• Glass (beads or crushed)
OSHA Occupational Noise standard.
• Steel shot
• Steel grit
• Specular hematite (iron ore)
Health Hazards
Alternative, less toxic blasting materials include:
Abrasive blasting operations can create high
• Ice cubes levels of dust and noise. Abrasive material
• Dry ice and the surface being blasted may contain
• Plastic bead media toxic materials (e.g., lead paint, silica) that are
• Sponge hazardous to workers.
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
• Silica sand (crystalline) can cause silicosis,
lung cancer, and breathing problems in
exposed workers.
• Coal slag and garnet sand may cause lung
damage similar to silica sand (based on
preliminary animal testing).
• Copper slag, nickel slag, and glass (crushed
or beads) also have the potential to cause
lung damage.
• Steel grit and shot have less potential to cause
lung damage.
• Slags can contain trace amounts of toxic metals
Abrasive blasting creates high levels of dust. Photo courtesy such as arsenic, beryllium, and cadmium.
of NIOSH.
How to Protect Workers from Exposure Engineering Controls
to Abrasive Blasting Materials
1. Substitution
Each abrasive blasting operation is unique,
• Use a less toxic abrasive blasting material.
involving different surfaces, coatings, blast
• Use abrasives that can be delivered with
material, and working conditions. Before
water (slurry) to reduce dust.
beginning work, employers should identify
the hazards and assign a knowledgeable 2. Isolation and Containment
person trained to recognize hazards and • Use barriers and curtain walls to isolate the
with the authority to quickly take corrective blasting operation from other workers.
action to eliminate them. Use engineering and • Use blast rooms or blast cabinets for smaller
administrative controls, personal protective operations.
equipment (PPE), including respiratory • Use restricted areas for non-enclosed blasting
protection, and training to protect workers operations.
involved in abrasive blasting activities. • Keep coworkers away from the blaster.
Engineering controls, such as substitution,
isolation, containment, and ventilation are 3. Ventilation
the primary means of preventing or reducing • Use exhaust ventilation systems in
exposures to airborne hazards during abrasive containment structures to capture dust.
blasting operations. Administrative controls,
including the use of good work and personal
hygiene practices, can also reduce exposure. Employers can use OSHA’s free On-site
When engineering and administrative controls Consultation Program for advice on safety
cannot keep exposures to hazardous materials and health issues.
below OSHA permissible exposure limits,
respiratory protection must be used.

Administrative Controls
Perform routine cleanup using wet methods
or HEPA filtered vacuuming to minimize the
accumulation of toxic dusts.

• Do not use compressed air to clean as this will

create dust in the air.
• Clean and decontaminate tarps and other
equipment on the worksite.
• Schedule blasting when the least number of
workers are at the site.
• Avoid blasting in windy conditions to prevent
the spread of any hazardous materials.

Personal Hygiene Practices

• Prohibit eating, drinking, or using tobacco
products in blasting areas.
• Provide wash stations so workers can wash
their hands and face routinely and before
eating, drinking, or smoking.
Abrasive blasting using a dust collection system with
multiple exhaust ducts. (Photo courtesy of Flexaust, Inc. This
• Vacuum or remove contaminated work
equipment is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not clothes before eating, drinking or smoking.
intended as an endorsement by OSHA of this company, its
products or services.)
• Provide accommodations for end-of-shift Personal Protective Equipment
showers and change areas with separate • Hearing protection
storage facilities for street clothes, protective • Eye and face protection
clothing and equipment. • Helmet
• Keep contaminated clothing and equipment • Leather gloves that protect to full forearm and
out of the clean change area. aprons (or coveralls)
• Safety shoes or boots
Respiratory Protection
An abrasive-blasting respirator must cover the Worker Training and Hazard Communication
wearer’s head, neck, and shoulders to protect • Provide training to abrasive blasters and
the wearer from rebounding abrasive. Workers support personnel on blasting health and
must use only respirators approved by NIOSH to safety hazards, how to use controls, personal
provide protection from dusts produced during hygiene practices, safe work practices and the
abrasive-blasting operations. use of PPE and respirators.
• Manufacturers are required to include
• Type CE NIOSH-certified blasting airline
appropriate health hazard information on
respirator with positive pressure blasting
the blasting materials on safety data sheets
helmet.
(SDS) as required under OSHA’s Hazard
Support personnel involved in cleanup and Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
other related activities may also need respiratory • Obtain and read the manufacturer’s SDS for
protection. health hazard information on the abrasive
blasting material you are using.
When respirators are used, employers must For more information on abrasive blasting
establish a comprehensive respiratory and control measures see: OSHA’s guidance
protection program as required by the document: “Abrasive Blasting Hazards in
OSHA Respiratory Protection standard (29 Shipyard Employment” (2006); and eTool:
CFR 1910.134). Mechanical Removers (Ship Repair).

Disclaimer: This OSHA Fact Sheet provides a general overview of the requirements in OSHA standards related to abrasive blasting.
It does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in these standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Since
interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, the reader should consult current OSHA interpretations and decisions by
the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards.
It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance
requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. The voice phone
is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

DSG FS-3697 09/2014

Applicable OSHA Standards and Safety and Health Topic Pages
The following table provides links to several OSHA standards (not all-inclusive) that may contain
requirements that apply to abrasive blasting operations. For example, the removal of lead paint by
abrasive blasting will likely require employers to follow provisions of the OSHA Lead standard. Safety
and health topic pages listed here provide employers and workers with information that may be useful
for safely conducting abrasive blasting.

General Industry Shipyard Industry Construction Industry OSHA Topics Page(s)

1910.94, Ventilation 1915.33 & 1915.34, Chemical & 1926.57, Ventilation Ventilation
Mechanical paint removers

Ventilation (as it applies to

shipyard employment, 1910.94)

1915.13, Cleaning and other

cold work

1910.95, Occupational noise 1910.95, Occupational noise 1926.52, Occupational noise Noise
exposure exposure (as per Shipyard exposure
“Tool Bag” Directive, CPL 02-
1926.101, Hearing Protection
00-182)

1910.132, Personal Protective 1915 Subpart I, Personal 1926 Subpart E, Personal Personal Protective
Equipment Protective Equipment Protective Equipment Equipment

Respiratory Protection 1915.154, Respiratory 1926.103, Respiratory Respiratory Protection

(1910.134) Protection refers to (1910.134) Protection (refers to 1910.134)

1910.141, Sanitation 1915.88, Sanitation 1926.51, Sanitation

1910.1000, Air contaminants 1915.1000, Air contaminants 1926.55, Gases,vapors, Permissible Exposure
fumes, dusts, and mists Limits (PELs) &
Table Z-1, Limits for air Table Z – Shipyards
Hazardous and Toxic
contaminants Appendix A, Threshold
Substances
limit values of airborne
Table Z-2, Toxic and
contaminants for construction
Hazardous Substances

Table Z-3, Mineral dusts

Beryllium Beryllium Beryllium Beryllium

See 1910.1000, Table Z-1 for See 1915.1000, Table Z See Table 1926.55,
air contaminants Appendix A

Silica Silica Silica Silica

See 1910.1000, Table Z-3 See 1915.1000, Table Z See 1926.55, Appendix A

1910.1018, Inorganic Arsenic 1915.1018, Inorganic Arsenic 1926.1118, Inorganic Arsenic Arsenic

1910.1025, Lead 1915.1025, Lead 1926.62, Lead Lead (General Industry)

Lead (Construction)

1910.1026, Chromium(VI) 1915.1026, Chromium(VI) 1926.1126, Chromium(VI) Hexavalent Chromium

1910.1027, Cadmium 1915.1027, Cadmium 1926.1127, Cadmium Cadmium

1910.1200, Hazard 1915.1200, Hazard 1926.59, Hazard Hazard Communication

Communication Communication (refers to Communication (refers to
1910.1200) 1910.1200)