Safe Work Method Statement for Abrasive Blasting and Surface Coating Preparation

Abrasive Blasting Coating

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Abrasive blasting for coating preparation involves high-pressure abrasive materials that create significant dust and respiratory hazards. This SWMS covers dust control measures, respiratory protection, and safe blasting procedures. The document addresses Australian WHS requirements for abrasive blasting operations and hazardous dust exposure.

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Overview

What this SWMS covers

Abrasive blasting generates hazardous silica dust and projectiles that require comprehensive controls. This SWMS covers dust suppression, containment, and respiratory protection for safe surface preparation operations.

Fully editable, audit-ready, and aligned to Australian WHS standards.

Why this SWMS matters

Abrasive blasting creates severe respiratory hazards from silica dust, potentially causing silicosis and lung cancer. Without proper controls, workers face permanent health damage from dust inhalation and projectile injuries.

Reinforce licensing, insurance, and regulator expectations for Abrasive Blasting Coating Safe Work Method Statement crews before they mobilise.

Hazard identification

Surface the critical risks tied to this work scope and communicate them to every worker.

Risk register

High

Fine silica particles inhaled during blasting causing silicosis and lung diseases.

High

Abrasive materials rebounding at high speeds striking workers.

Medium

High-decibel noise from blasting equipment causing permanent hearing damage.

Medium

Blast hose ruptures or equipment malfunctions causing injuries.

Medium

Slippery surfaces from blast media accumulation.

Control measures

Deploy layered controls aligned to the hierarchy of hazard management.

Implementation guide

Use non-blasting methods to eliminate silica dust hazards.

Implementation

Water jetting, chemical stripping, dustless blasting systems.

Implement comprehensive dust control and ventilation.

Implementation

Wet blasting, HEPA filtration, local exhaust ventilation.

Contain blast operations to prevent dust and media spread.

Implementation

Blast rooms, curtains, negative pressure systems.

Establish safe blasting protocols and monitoring.

Implementation

Site plans, air monitoring, exclusion zones, training.

Provide comprehensive protective equipment.

Implementation

Supplied-air respirators, face shields, hearing protection, protective clothing.

Personal protective equipment

Requirement: Type CE continuous-flow respirator with full facepiece

When:

Requirement: Impact-resistant shield with abrasion-resistant lens

When:

Requirement: Ear muffs rated for 105+ dB

When:

Inspections & checks

Before work starts

  • Verify air monitoring equipment
  • Inspect blast equipment
  • Check respiratory systems
  • Confirm containment systems

During work

  • Monitor silica levels
  • Check hose integrity
  • Verify containment effectiveness
  • Monitor worker fatigue

After work

  • Conduct air quality testing
  • Inspect for residual dust
  • Check equipment damage
  • Document exposure levels

Step-by-step work procedure

Give supervisors and crews a clear, auditable sequence for the task.

Field ready

Site Preparation and Containment

Set up barriers and ventilation for blast area.

Safety considerations

Never blast without containment

Equipment Setup and Testing

Assemble and test blasting equipment.

Safety considerations

Never use untested equipment

Personal Protection and Briefing

Equip personnel and conduct briefing.

Safety considerations

PPE properly fitted and tested

Blasting Operation

Execute blasting with monitoring.

Safety considerations

Stop if containment breached

Cleanup and Decontamination

Perform safe cleanup procedures.

Safety considerations

Never dry sweep blasted areas

Frequently asked questions

Silica exposure limit?

0.05 mg/m³ as 8-hour TWA. Requires additional controls above this.

When respiratory protection required?

Whenever silica exposure may exceed PEL. Supplied-air respirators typical.

Blast media containment?

Use blast rooms, curtains, mats. Negative pressure and HEPA filtration.

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Why It Matters

Abrasive blasting generates high levels of respirable dust containing crystalline silica and other hazardous materials. Without proper controls, workers face severe respiratory diseases, eye injuries, and hearing damage. Construction sites require surface preparation before coating application, but the blasting process creates significant health and safety risks. This SWMS ensures comprehensive dust control, proper ventilation, and respiratory protection to prevent silica-related diseases and other blasting injuries.

Hazard Identification

Abrasive blasting involves several critical hazards requiring specialized control measures.

Control Measures

Control measures follow the hierarchy of controls, prioritizing elimination and engineering solutions before administrative and PPE measures.

PPE Requirements

Personal protective equipment is critical for abrasive blasting operations and must meet specific standards.

Inspections & Checks

Regular inspections and checks are essential for maintaining abrasive blasting safety.

Step-by-Step Work Procedure

Follow these systematic procedures for safe abrasive blasting operations.

FAQ

Common questions about abrasive blasting safety.

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Risk Rating

BeforeHigh
After ControlsLow

Key Controls

  • • Pre-start briefing covering hazards
  • • PPE: hard hats, eye protection, gloves
  • • Emergency plan communicated to crew

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