Safety Hazards Associated with Sandblasting in Colorado

October 24, 2017 3:44 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

In today’s world of how-to videos and power tools, many people forgo professional help, instead opting for a do-it-yourself approach. For some things, learning as you go is fun and rewarding when the project ends well, but in other cases it can be downright dangerous. Take abrasive blasting for example. Sure, it looks simple when you watch a pro doing it, but the fact of the matter is that a professional is also aware of the risks, both to themselves and to the items they’re working on.

Ask yourself a few questions before moving forward: Is the material being treated at risk of serious damage from the blasting? Is there the need for ventilation in the area? Was the item in question ever painted with lead-based paint or in contact with dangerous chemicals? If you aren’t sure of the answers to any of these questions, leave the work to a professional.

Let’s review some of the safety hazards associated with tank sandblasting in Colorado.

Abrasive blasting can be dangerous

Abrasive blasting involves taking a material (such as coal slag), pressurizing it and launching it at high speed at a surface. The principle is similar to erosion, like we see with water or sand wearing down rock or steel after long-term exposure. In this case, you are accelerating the process, which is great for preparing a surface for paint or a tank coating in Colorado, but not so great for human skin or eyes. Safety is a must, and misuse of abrasive blasting equipment can be a safety hazard. Knowledge about the equipment extends beyond just reading a manual; professional on-site experience is just another layer that ensures the job gets done safely.

Paint exposure

Lead-based paints used to be very common before people discovered the danger they presented. Today, the paint is still fairly common on older buildings and in industrial settings. That being said, it is important not to blast any paint without testing it first. When abrasives are applied, the lead or other chemical particles are released into the air and are dangerous to breathe. Lead-based paints will require hazardous material management and a team that knows how to protect against the dangers. Tackling a job like this without the right equipment could leave you with lifelong health problems.

Chemicals

Like lead paint, many industrial areas are home to chemicals of some kind or another. When it comes to abrasive blasting, being aware of the chemicals around you can be the difference between another job and a dangerous situation. A professional team will be able to recognize the dangers and mitigate them as they do the work they need to do. If you are unsure, don’t take the risk. Without the appropriate equipment and protective gear, you could very well be putting yourself in a dangerous position.

Abrasive blasting is a good method for removing things like rust, paint, scale buildup and contaminants from a storage tank in Colorado. When you are in need of storage tank sandblasting, make sure your first call is to the professionals at DJC Enterprises Inc. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!

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