Sand Blasting Exeter companies, Sand Blasting Devon companies, sand blasting companies in the United Kingdom and all over the world use equipment that utilises one basic principle. Well, two, wet and dry, but the basic principle of those two basic principles is the same. It involves blasting surfaces with tiny dust particles mixed in with air or water with huge force. The particles of sand tear away at the surface and surprisingly gently remove stuff like old paint, leaving the surface clean and polished. This is what makes Sand Blasting Devon and Sand Blasting Exeter companies so great at helping you repaint your car or remove graffiti from your property. However, sand blasting was invented in the age when health safety of workers was not the biggest concern.

Sand blasting was invented Benjamin Tilghman, and many modern businesses, including Sand Blasting Devon and Sand Blasting Exeter companies, still utilise the same core concept. Tilghman probably never thought at the time that if sand particles are inhaled by the workers it might cause a serious condition. The condition is called silicosis, and still can be a threat to the Sand Blasting Devon and Sand Blasting Exeter workers. Adding to the risk of silicosis, many types of old paint contain lead, and when the paint is turned into fine, invisible dust floating in the air during the blasting process, lead inhaled may cause other health issues. Fortunately most Sand Blasting Devon and Sand Blasting Exeter companies observe the health and safety regulations put in place to minimize the risk of silicosis and related disease in their workers.

The regulations use several basic methods to prevent the Sand Blasting Devon and Sand Blasting Exeter workers from getting silicosis. One of the methods is to educate the workers. One of the venues of education is to tell the workers about the nature of the disease. This serves two purposes. First, they are able to report any suspicious symptoms that signal about the condition. Second, they are motivated to observe other safety precautions so they don’t get the disease. The other part of education is to make sure the workers know how to work in the right way and how to minimise the exposure during work. The regulations also state that workers need specific training for abrasive blasting, sand blasting included.

The other method that Sand Blasting Devon and Sand Blasting Exeter companies should employ is using correct equipment that is properly maintained. The workers should wear RPE (respiratory protective equipment) and blasting suits during work. Air for RPE should be clean and supplied upwind of contaminants and blasting operations. The workers should check their RPE every time they put it on, and it should be properly maintained. Dust which results from sand blasting is very abrasive, which should be taken into consideration when maintaining equipment. The manufacturer often provides maintenance schedule with equipment, and it’s very important the schedule is followed.

Both of these methods are used to minimise exposure. However, if exposure is still over or close to the limit, workers need to undergo health surveillance to make sure they are not at risk of contracting silicosis.
If you’re a worker looking for Sand Blasting Devon http://www.csblasting.co.uk jobs or if you’re in need of Sand Blasting Exeter http://www.csblasting.co.uk company services, it’s important to know which companies care both about their client and about their workers both.