Product Overview

Summary: This Abrasive Blasting Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for carrying out blasting work safely, legally and efficiently in Australian workplaces. It focuses on controlling hazardous dusts, high-pressure equipment risks and environmental impacts, helping businesses meet WHS obligations while maintaining productivity and quality of finish.

Abrasive blasting is a high‑risk activity commonly used across construction, mining, marine, manufacturing and maintenance environments in Australia. Without a robust, documented procedure, workers can be exposed to hazardous dusts such as crystalline silica and lead, high noise levels, flying particles, and the dangers of high‑pressure air or water systems. This Abrasive Blasting Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, step‑by‑step method for planning, setting up, conducting and shutting down blasting operations in a way that is consistent, defensible and aligned with Australian WHS expectations.

The SOP helps businesses translate legislative and Code of Practice requirements into simple, usable instructions that frontline workers and supervisors can actually follow. It clarifies who is responsible for each part of the process, specifies mandatory PPE and plant checks, and embeds controls for dust, noise, confined spaces, and work near the public or other trades. By implementing this procedure, organisations can reduce the likelihood of serious injury, long‑term occupational disease, environmental contamination and costly downtime from equipment failure or regulatory enforcement. It is particularly valuable for contractors needing to demonstrate safe systems of work to principal contractors, clients and regulators across different Australian jurisdictions.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Safe Work Australia’s Abrasive Blasting Code of Practice and state/territory WHS legislation.
• Reduce worker exposure to hazardous airborne contaminants such as silica, lead and other blasting residues.
• Standardise abrasive blasting practices across sites, improving consistency, quality of surface preparation and productivity.
• Minimise the risk of serious incidents, equipment failures and damage to surrounding plant, structures and the environment.
• Support effective training, supervision and contractor management by providing clear, documented work instructions.

Who is this for?

• Abrasive Blasting Operators
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Fabrication and Maintenance Managers
• Workshop Managers
• Plant and Asset Managers
• Small Business Owners in Surface Preparation and Coatings
• Marine and Shipyard Supervisors
• Civil and Mining Contractors

Hazards Addressed

• Inhalation of hazardous dusts and respirable crystalline silica
• Exposure to lead and other toxic metals in coatings and residues
• High‑pressure air, water or slurry injection injuries
• Impact from rebounding abrasive and flying particles
• Noise-induced hearing loss from blasting equipment and compressors
• Eye injuries from dust, grit and debris
• Manual handling injuries from hoses, nozzles, bags of abrasive and blast pots
• Slips, trips and falls on hoses, spent abrasive and wet surfaces
• Confined space hazards when blasting inside tanks, vessels or enclosed structures
• Static electricity build‑up and ignition sources in flammable atmospheres
• Environmental contamination from uncontrolled release of spent abrasive and residues

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Legislation and Applicable Standards
• 3.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Pre‑Start Planning and Risk Assessment (including SWMS/JSA)
• 6.0 Site Preparation, Isolation and Barricading
• 7.0 Plant, Equipment and Abrasive Selection
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Respiratory Protection
• 9.0 Step‑by‑Step Abrasive Blasting Procedure
• 10.0 Dust, Noise and Environmental Control Measures
• 11.0 Work in Confined or Enclosed Spaces
• 12.0 Housekeeping, Waste Collection and Disposal
• 13.0 Equipment Shutdown, Inspection and Maintenance
• 14.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 15.0 Training, Consultation and Communication
• 16.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Abrasive Blasting
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (WHS Regulations) – Hazardous Chemicals and Airborne Contaminants
• Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as adopted in relevant state or territory)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing protectors
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (where working at height during blasting)
• Environmental Protection legislation and local authority requirements relating to dust, noise and waste management