Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417:body:0:p27
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00417
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 68964–71681

through engineered equipment including airwashes, cyclones and screens as required, before it can
be returned to the blast machine for reuse.

    3.6 Disposal of waste

To minimise risks, waste products from abrasive blasting should be covered to prevent them
from becoming airborne.
The waste material resulting from abrasive blasting should be disposed of in accordance with
any local laws that apply to the disposal of waste materials.

4.  OTHER HAZARDS AND CONTROL MEASURES

    4.1 Noise

Regulation 57: A person conducting a business or undertaking must manage risks to health and safety relating to hearing loss associated with noise. The person conducting a business or undertaking must  ensure that the noise a worker is exposed to at the workplace does not exceed the exposure standard for noise.
Regulation 58: Audiometric testing must be provided to a worker who is frequently required to use personal protective equipment to protect the worker from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard for noise.
Exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss. Abrasive blasting equipment
can generate various noise levels that may cause workers to be exposed to noise that exceeds  the exposure standard.

The exposure standard for noise in relation to hearing loss, is defined in the WHS Regulations
as an LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A) or an LC,peak of 140 dB(C). There are two parts to the exposure standard for noise because noise can either cause gradual hearing loss over a period of time or be so loud that it causes immediate hearing loss.
In the abrasive blasting industry, the main sources of noise for the operator are:
    * discharge of compressed air from the blast nozzle – 112 to 119 dB (A)
    * the feed air inside the protective helmet – 94 to 102 dB (A)
    * blast cabinets – 90 to 101 dB (A)
    * air compressors – 85 to 88 dB(A).
Maximum noise levels up to 137dB(A) have been measured at the operator's position during blasting activities when the abrasive runs out.

Operators of small abrasive blasting cabinets are particularly at risk. They may not perceive the noise to be damaging because of the relatively short periods of use. However, average noise levels at the operator's ears have been measured between 90 - 101 dB (A). This means that at
101 dB(A), for instance, an exposure of unprotected ears of only 12 minutes is allowed in any eight hour shift so as not to exceed the exposure standard of LAeq,8h 85 dB(A). Following such exposure, other work activities must not contribute to further noise exposure.

Unprotected workers and others close to the blasting process may also be exposed to excessive noise.

Control measures