Cleaning/smoothing/roughening of articles by a jet of sand, shot or grit propelled by compressed air or steam (abrasive / sand blasting)

Rule 114(1) item 8 · Schedule VIII

Medical surveillance (statutory)

Sch VIII para 11: everyone employed in blasting (or assisting/cleaning/maintaining the apparatus) examined by the Medical Inspector / Certifying Surgeon within 30 days of first employment (Form 7); if fit, certificate of fitness in Form 23; thereafter examined by the CS at intervals of twelve months (Form 7). Chest X-ray may be directed.

Hazard & health effects

Agent: Free-silica / abrasive blasting dust (silica-sand blasting is prohibited)

Health effects: Acute/accelerated silicosis; respiratory impairment; flying-grit eye/skin injury.

Controls & PPE

Engineering controls: Non-silica abrasive (silica sand prohibited); enclosed/automatic blasting cabinets; LEV; competent-person inspection of enclosures; chest X-ray facility.

PPE: Air-fed blasting helmet/hood with supplied breathing air; protective suit, gloves, boots.

Statutory vs annotation: only the operation name, schedule number and medical-examination clause are statutory. The hazard, health-effects, controls and PPE notes are occupational-hygiene context.

Reference information for occupational-health professionals — not medical advice, and not a substitute for examination by a qualified physician.

Other dangerous operations

All 25 dangerous operations — s.87 / Rule 114

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