PREFACE
OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
OPERATOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT
OSHA regulation 1910.134 requires appropriate respiratory protection for blast operators and workers in
the vicinity of blasting. These workers must wear properly-fitted, properly-maintained, NIOSH-approved,
respiratory protection that is suitable for the job site hazards. Blast respirators are to be worn only in
atmospheres not immediately dangerous to life or health from which wearers can escape without use of
the respirator.
The employer must develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required
worksite- specific procedures and elements for required respirator use. The employer must provide
effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive,
understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary.
NEVER use abrasives containing more than one percent crystalline silica. Fatal diseases, such as silicosis,
asbestosis, lead or other poisoning, can result from inhalation of toxic dusts, which include, but are not
limited to, crystalline silica, asbestos, and lead paint. Refer to NIOSH Alert 92-102; and OSHA CPL 03-00-007:
“National Emphasis Program – Crystalline Silica”, in which OSHA describes policies and procedures for
implementing a national emphasis program to identify and reduce or eliminate health hazards from exposure
to crystalline silica. Numerous topics associated with the hazards of crystalline silica in silica blasting sand
can be found on http:// osha.gov/. Clemco urges users of silica blasting sand to visit this website, and read
and heed the information it contains.
Always make sure the breathing air supply (respirator hose) is not connected to plant lines that supply
gases that include, but are not limited to, oxygen, nitrogen, acetylene, or other non-breathable gas. Never
modify or change respirator air line connections without first testing the content of the line for safe
breathing air. Failure to test the line may result in death to the respirator user.
•
Breathing air quality must be at least Grade D,
as defined by the Compressed Gas Association
specification G-7.1, per OSHA Regulation 29 CFR
1910.134. When compressed air is the breathing air
source, a Clemco CPF (suitable sorbent bed filter)
should be used. Respirator hose connecting the
respirator to the filter must be NIOSH approved.
Non- approved hose can cause illness from
chemicals employed to manufacture the hose.
•
All workers must always wear NIOSH-approved
respirators when any dust is present. Exposure to
dust can occur when handling or loading abrasive,
blasting, cleaning up abrasive, or working in the
vicinity of blasting. Before removing the respirator,
test the air with a monitoring device to ensure it is
safe to breathe.
•
Clemco respirators DO NOT remove or protect against
carbon monoxide or any other toxic gas. Monitoring
devices must be used in conjunction with the respirator to
ensure safe breathing air. Always locate compressors and
ambient air pumps where contaminated air will not enter
the air intake.
•
Always use Clemco lenses with Clemco respirators;
installing non-approved lenses voids the NIOSH approval.
Respirator lenses are designed to protect the wearer from
rebounding abrasive; they do not protect against flying
objects, heavy high-speed materials, glare, liquids, or
radiation.
INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS
For additional information, consult:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - www.osha.gov
Compressed Gas Association (CGA) - www.cganet.com
The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) - www.sspc.org
National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) - www.nace.org
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) - www.astm.org
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - www.niosh.gov
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - www.ansi.org
