Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 29183–32173

in surface coatings or the object being blasted. The WHS Regulations contain specific requirements for working with lead in addition to the hazardous chemicals requirements. These include the identification of lead risk work and removing a worker from lead risk work in certain circumstances.

Naturally occurring radioactive material
Some abrasive blasting mediums such as garnet and staurolite may contain trace levels of thorium. Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive material. While the concentration of thorium
or other radioactive materials is low, mineral extraction may concentrate naturally occurring radioactive material. Exposure to naturally occurring radioactive material is through inhaled dust. Exposure to radioactive materials may increase the risk of cancer.
The use of abrasives containing any radioactive substance where the level of radiation exceeds
1 becquerels per gram (Bq/g) is prohibited, so far as reasonably practicable. You should actively source material with lower radioactive content levels to minimise the risks from radiation.
Further information on selecting an abrasive blasting medium is at Appendix A.

    3.2 Dust

One of the main hazards in abrasive blasting is dust which in many cases can be toxic. Crystalline silica and lead are typical examples of toxic dusts that can be generated during abrasive blasting activities.

Identifying dust hazards
Abrasive blasting can generate large quantities of respirable and inhalable dust from the abrasive blasting medium and the surface of the object being blasted.
'Inhalable' dust means the dust present in the air which a worker can inhale through the nose or mouth during breathing. 'Respirable' dust is that portion of inhalable dust that is small enough to enter the lungs down to the lower bronchioles and alveolar regions.

Respirable dusts may be more hazardous than inhalable dusts for some materials, such as crystalline silica which can result in permanent scarring of the lung tissue.
Labels and SDSs should be checked to identify dust hazards in the blasting medium. Manufacturers, importers and suppliers of hazardous chemicals have a duty under the WHS Regulations to ensure that the current SDS is provided to a person at the workplace if the person asks for it. The SDS provides information about the chemical, possible health effects, control measures that may be used to minimise exposure and first aid requirements.

You should also consider dust hazards presented by the surface being blasted, which could discharge particles of hazardous chemicals. Hazards include any paint or coating on the surface (which, for example, could contain lead) and the composition of the object or structure being blasted (which could contain asbestos or other hazardous chemicals).
Crystalline silica dust

Crystalline silica dust can be generated by:
    * using abrasive materials that contain traces of crystalline silica, (e.g. staurolite or garnet), or
    * abrasive blasting surfaces