Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417:body:0:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 5149–8081

centrifugal wheel systems and tumblers are also used. Blasting is generally performed in enclosed environments
like blasting chambers or cabinets, or on open sites, for example on buildings, bridges, tanks, boats or mobile plant.
Common hazards include dusts, hazardous chemicals and risks associated with the use of plant and equipment.

    1.2 Who has health and safety duties in relation to abrasive blasting?

A person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking.
A person conducting a business or undertaking that carries out abrasive blasting must eliminate risks arising from abrasive blasting, or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks
so far as is reasonably practicable.
The WHS Regulations include more specific requirements to manage the risks of hazardous chemicals, airborne contaminants and plant, as well as other hazards associated with the abrasive blasting activities such as noise and manual tasks.
Designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of plant or substances used in abrasive blasting must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the plant or substance is without risks to health and safety. This duty includes carrying out testing and analysis as well as providing specific information about the plant or substance.

Officers, such as company directors, have a duty to exercise due diligence to ensure that the business or undertaking complies with the WHS Act and Regulations. This includes taking reasonable steps to ensure that the business or undertaking has and uses appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise risks that arise from abrasive blasting.
Workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that they do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. Workers must comply with any reasonable instruction and cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and safety
at the workplace. If personal protective equipment is provided by the person conducting the business or undertaking, the worker must use it in accordance with the information, instruction
and training provided.

    1.3 What is required to manage risks associated with abrasive blasting?

The WHS Regulations require a person conducting a business or undertaking to 'manage risks' associated with specific hazards, including noise, hazardous chemicals, plant and electricity.

Regulation 32-38: In order to manage risk under the WHS Regulations, a duty holder must:
a)  identify reasonably foreseeable hazards that could give rise to the risk
b)  eliminate the risk so far as is reasonably practicable
c)  if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, minimise the risk so far as is reasonably practicable by