Course Title

1. Introduction to Sandblasting Operations

• Overview of sandblasting and its role in surface preparation including (rust removal, coating adhesion, and surface profiling)

• Applicable international standards and regulatory requirements including (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.94, SSPC-SP standards, and local environmental regulations)

• Roles and responsibilities including (blaster, pot operator, and supervisor duties)

• Overview of sandblasting incidents and their primary causes including (uncontrolled dust exposure, hose failure, and equipment misuse)

• Distinguishing sandblasting from other abrasive surface preparation methods

2. Abrasive Media Selection and Properties

2.1 Media Types and Characteristics

• Common abrasive media types including (silica sand, steel grit, garnet, and aluminum oxide)

• Media hardness, shape, and size characteristics affecting surface profile

• Selecting media based on substrate material and coating specification

• Environmental and health considerations affecting media selection

2.2 Media Handling and Storage

• Safe storage requirements including (moisture control and contamination prevention)

• Media reuse considerations including (degradation and contamination assessment)

• Handling procedures to minimize airborne dust generation

• Verifying media cleanliness before loading into blasting equipment

3. Blasting Equipment and Systems

• Blasting equipment components including (pot, hoses, nozzles, and air compressor systems)

• Equipment pre-use inspection including (hose condition, nozzle wear, and deadman control function)

• Nozzle types and their effect on blasting pattern and efficiency

• Air compressor capacity and pressure requirements for different applications

• Identifying equipment defects requiring withdrawal from service

4. Surface Preparation Standards and Verification

• Applying SSPC-SP cleanliness standards including (near-white metal, commercial blast, and brush-off blast grades)

• Achieving required surface profile depth for coating adhesion

• Verifying surface cleanliness including (visual comparison standards and profile measurement)

• Identifying surface contaminants including (rust, mill scale, oil, and soluble salts)

• Documenting surface preparation results for quality assurance

5. Hazard Control and Personal Protective Equipment

5.1 Respiratory and Physical Protection

• Respiratory protection requirements including (supplied-air blasting hoods and abrasive-rated respirators)

• Hearing, eye, and skin protection including (hearing protection, blast-resistant clothing, and gloves)

• Heat stress considerations during sustained blasting operations

• Recognizing signs of inadequate PPE fit or degradation

5.2 Ventilation and Containment

• Ventilation and dust containment measures including (containment enclosures and exhaust systems)

• Confined space considerations during blasting in tanks or vessels

• Managing dust migration to surrounding work areas

• Verifying containment effectiveness before and during operations

6. Safe Blasting Operation and Waste Management

• Pre-operation setup and area containment including (barricading, signage, and dust control measures)

• Safe blasting technique including (nozzle angle, distance, and consistent coverage)

• Communication protocols between blaster and pot operator including (signal systems and emergency stop procedures)

• Handling and containment of spent abrasive material

• Waste disposal procedures in accordance with environmental regulations

7. Group Discussion and Case Studies

• Case studies from regional sandblasting incidents including (respiratory exposure events, hose whip injuries, and inadequate containment failures) and lessons learned in prevention

• Group discussion on common safety and quality shortfalls including (rushed setup, inadequate containment, and PPE non-compliance)

• Sharing regional best practices including (heat and humidity considerations for sustained blasting operations)

• Discussion on integrating sandblasting operations within site HSE management systems