Risk assessment of abrasive blasting environment in pressure vessel fabrication plants

Abstract

Workers who are involved with abrasive blasting operations potentially have significant threats to their occupational safety and health (OSH) and environment from exposure to various types of occupational hazards and risks. For example, due to the abundant amount of dust generated from abrasive blasting, workers are exposed to possibility of respiratory illness and the inhalation of airborne contaminants may cause silicosis which often leads to fatality after a certain period of exposure. Concurrently, the control measures that currently exist in the standard operating procedures (SOP) for abrasive blasting operations at pressure vessel fabrication plant companies located in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia are insufficient to remove or reduce the hazards and risks of OSH. In contrast, any possible harm during abrasive blasting may result in workers potentially experiencing occupational injury or illness. The purpose of this study is to describe and analyse the potential risk of abrasive blasting in pressure vessel fabrication plants. This comprehensive study was done using risk assessment tools such as Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC). The study is designed to identify and analyse the potential risks that result from recommendations that are properly followed with control measures ranging from elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative control, to personal protective equipment (PPE). This would be beneficial in proposing improvements to SOP of abrasive blasting operations that comply with Malaysian requirements, standards and regulations.