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Safety Protocol 001: Blast Cabinet Operation Safety

Protocol ID: U10M2-SAFE-001

Potential Hazards

Compressed Air Hazards

  • Air injection injury: Compressed air at operating pressures (40–100 PSI) can penetrate skin, causing subcutaneous emphysema, embolism, or tissue necrosis. This is a medical emergency.
  • Hose whip: A disconnected air hose under pressure becomes a dangerous projectile
  • Noise: Cabinet operation generates 85–110 dBA; prolonged exposure causes permanent hearing loss

Particulate Hazards

  • Respirable dust: Dust escaping from worn cabinet seals, during media changes, or from dust collector maintenance
  • Eye foreign body: Dust particles escaping cabinet can cause corneal abrasion
  • Skin irritation: Abrasive media and metal dust cause dermatitis with prolonged contact

Mechanical Hazards

  • Pinch points: Cabinet door hinges and latches
  • Electrical: Cabinet light, dust collector motor, and compressor require proper grounding and GFCI protection
  • Ergonomic: Extended blasting sessions cause arm, shoulder, and hand fatigue

Material-Specific Hazards

  • Lead-containing coatings: Pre-1978 paint may contain lead; blasting creates hazardous lead dust
  • Combustible dust: Aluminum and wood dusts are combustible in sufficient airborne concentration
  • Hexavalent chromium: Some primers and plating contain Cr(VI); blasting creates toxic dust

Required Precautions & Procedures

Pre-Operation

  1. Complete pre-operation inspection checklist (see Activity 001)
  2. Verify dust collector differential pressure is within limits
  3. Confirm adequate ventilation in the work area
  4. Test unknown coatings with LeadCheck swab before blasting
  5. Ensure fire extinguisher (Class D for metals, ABC for general) is accessible

During Operation

  1. Keep cabinet fully sealed — never open during blasting
  2. Maintain hands in blast gloves — never remove hands from glove ports while blasting
  3. Use foot pedal as dead-man switch — release immediately if anything feels wrong
  4. Monitor visibility through viewing window — stop if visibility degrades
  5. Take rest breaks every 15–20 minutes to prevent fatigue
  6. Never direct blast stream at cabinet gloves, window, or seals
  7. Do not exceed recommended pressure for media and substrate combination

Post-Operation

  1. Release foot pedal; wait 10 seconds for media to stop flowing
  2. Allow dust to settle 30 seconds before opening cabinet
  3. Remove workpiece with nitrile gloves
  4. Turn off cabinet light and compressed air supply
  5. Keep dust collector running for 5 minutes after last blast
  6. Clean up any spilled media — do not use compressed air to blow it off surfaces
  7. Wash hands and exposed skin with soap and water

Emergency Response

Air Injection Injury

  1. This is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY — call 911 immediately
  2. Do not downplay or dismiss the injury, even if the entry wound appears small
  3. Do not apply pressure to the injection site
  4. Keep the patient calm and still
  5. Inform EMS of the mechanism: compressed air injection at [X] PSI

Dust Exposure (Inhalation)

  1. Move person to fresh air
  2. If coughing or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention
  3. If chronic exposure is suspected, arrange occupational health screening
  4. Document the incident including duration, media type, and ventilation status

Eye Foreign Body

  1. Do not rub eyes
  2. Flush with eyewash station for 15 minutes minimum
  3. If particle is visible and embedded, do not attempt removal — seek ophthalmology
  4. Cover eye with clean pad and seek medical attention

Fire (Combustible Dust)

  1. Activate fire alarm
  2. Use appropriate extinguisher: Class D for metal dust, ABC for general
  3. Do NOT use water on metal dust fires (especially aluminum or magnesium)
  4. Evacuate if fire cannot be controlled within 30 seconds

PPE Requirements

PPE Item Specification When Required
Safety glasses ANSI Z87.1, side shields Always in blast area
Hearing protection NRR 25+ earplugs or earmuffs During cabinet operation
N95 respirator NIOSH-approved N95 minimum Media changes, filter maintenance, post-blast cleanup
Cabinet blast gloves Manufacturer-specified rubber/leather During blasting (built into cabinet)
Nitrile gloves Disposable Handling blasted workpieces
Long sleeves Cotton or Nomex During blasting operations
Closed-toe shoes Leather upper, steel toe preferred Always in blast area

Last Updated: 2026-03-19