If your business uses abrasive blasting, you must have at least reviewed OSHA Standard 1910.94. This standard covers the ventilation requirements for any business which uses any form of abrasive blasting, including the minimum clean air levels, necessary personal protective equipment, minimum exhaust obligations, and required air purification methods.

It is common knowledge that silica sand, while extremely cost effective, is potentially lethal without a proper ventilation plan. What is less commonly known is what the effects are of other abrasives. For instance, what is required if you utilize garnet, instead of silica? What if you change from synthetic abrasives to another form, such as agricultural? What are the different requirements between wet and dry abrasive blasting? We have seen many companies who were in perfect compliance change their abrasive material and create a hazardous work environment. Likewise, a change could make an extremely hazardous work site into a perfectly safe environment, which would allow you to save a small fortune in now unnecessary ventilation costs.

Another important thing to consider is how you are purifying the air. Will you be utilizing personal protective equipment? Do you need a dust collector or exhaust system? Each blasting device being used with each abrasive material, creates a different potential hazard, and has different safety requirements. Further, these requirements are not static – as new information is discovered, new requirements are released by OSHA.

If you have not recently reviewed this standard or had a qualified third party review your ventilation methods, it might be time to hire a professional team to review your processes. If you would like any additional information, please contact us. If you have anything to add to the discussion, please leave a comment.