Product Overview

This Abrasive Blasting Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and document effective controls for abrasive blasting operations across a wide range of industries. It is a comprehensive, task-specific document that supports WHS compliance and safe management of abrasive blasting processes including cabinet blasting, sandblasting, grit blasting and blast cleaning activities.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Operation and maintenance of abrasive blasting cabinets, including safe loading, blasting and unloading of components
• Abrasive blasting of architectural windows and doors, with controls to protect glass, frames, workers and nearby public areas
• Abrasive blasting in boat and yacht building and manufacturing, including hull preparation, confined areas and marine coatings removal
• Abrasive blasting associated with diesel mechanics, including engine blocks, heavy vehicle components and oil-contaminated parts
• Abrasive blasting for shopfitting components, fixtures and fabricated items in workshop and on-site environments
• Abrasive blasting for signwriters and sign manufacturing, including metal, timber and composite sign substrates
• Abrasive blasting in smash repair operations, including paint and rust removal from vehicle panels and chassis
• Abrasive blasting operations in mechanical engineering workshops, including jigs, frames, structural steel and precision components
• Abrasive blasting processes in industrial manufacturing, including production-line blasting, batch work and large-scale fabrications
• Blast cleaning of metal, concrete and masonry surfaces to remove rust, scale, paint and surface contaminants
• Glass bead blasting for surface finishing, peening and cleaning of sensitive or high-specification components
• Grit blasting operations, including selection of abrasive media, nozzle control and containment of rebound
• Prepping surfaces by sandblasting, including edge protection, masking, and verification of surface profile prior to coating
• Safe set-up, operation and shutdown of sandblasters and sandblasting machines, including hoses, couplings and remote deadman controls
• Control of dust, noise, flying particles and hazardous substances (including respirable crystalline silica and lead-based coatings) during abrasive blasting

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for abrasive blasting contractors, industrial painters, marine and boat builders, diesel mechanics, smash repairers, mechanical engineering and manufacturing workshops, shopfitters, sign manufacturers, and site supervisors responsible for managing abrasive blasting work.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on safe use, storage and control of hazardous blasting media, coatings and residues
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Requirements for controlling noise exposure from blasting equipment and compressors
• Managing the Risk of Airborne Contaminants in the Workplace Code of Practice: Controls for dust, fumes and respirable crystalline silica generated during abrasive blasting
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Risk management framework applied to abrasive blasting hazards
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Ventilation, segregation, signage and welfare facilities for blasting areas
• Safe Work Australia – Abrasive Blasting Guidance Material: Industry-specific guidance for safe abrasive blasting operations
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment: Requirements for respirator selection and maintenance for blasting operators
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices: Performance standards for respiratory protection used during abrasive blasting
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves: Selection of hand protection for abrasive blasting tasks
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection: Impact-rated eye and face protection for blasting operators and assistants