Safety is Job 1.  Especially now, when we are all trying our best to stay safe.  According to experts, virus on indoor non-porous surfaces can survive for days - not to mention the even more significant threat from aerosolized droplets.

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When the pandemic is over, we'll still have the common cold and flu to deal with - so these tips and safety suggestions will still apply.  I hope they help you!

 

There is a lot of good advice available, but none directed specifically to blast workers.  So, to help keep blast-prep workers safer - and operations humming during the coronavirus pandemic (and afterwards!) - here are practical tips from Dawson-Macdonald Company and BlastPrep.com. 

 

Your type of blasting equipment will determine your focus, so click the link below that is most appropriate for the type of blasting machine you use.

 

• For Operators Using Dry Blasting Cabinets

• For Operators Using Wet Slurry Blasting Cabinets

• For Operators Using Automated Equipment

• For Blast Room Workers and those wearing Respirators

• For Powder Coating and Paint Booth Workers

• Bonus:  Reduce BlastPrep Time to Minimize Exposure + More Safety Tips

 

Of course, worker safety goes beyond working around the perils of COVID-19 & other infectious diseases - so I've covered additional important safety tips related to the subjects found in the links above. For extra need-to-know safety tips for blasting operations (non COVID-19) in general, click here. 

 

These tips aren't intended to be a complete source.  For that, refer to CDC, WHO, local government sources, which are updated frequently, and this interesting addition: https://safejobchecklist.org/, which gives us these things to ponder:

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1. PPE - Every worker needs a supply of quality gloves and masks.

2. WASHING TIME - Time should be set aside to wash hands several times during the shift, & hand sanitizer provided.

3. SOCIAL DISTANCING (1) - Six feet between workers, or sneeze guards if you need to be any closer.

4. SOCIAL DISTANCING (2) - Additional adaptations like staggered shifts and break times.

5. DISINFECTING - Work stations, shared tools and electronics, bathrooms, locker and break rooms should be sanitized, and deep-cleaned after known exposure.

6. WELLNESS RULES - Enforced rules that send people home, preferably before they enter the workplace. (Though, this won't cover non-symptomatic carriers, unfortunately.)

7. RIGHT TO SPEAK UP - Ways to provide suggestions or raise concerns about workplace safety and health - without fear of retaliation.

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Let’s do our part to protect ourselves, our fellow workers and their families by

preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious disease at the workplace. 

 

Now, go have a Blast!  And make some money.  And Stay Healthy!! 

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--Mark Hanna