Blasting Abrasives

How Glass Benefits The Blasting Abrasives Industry

Abrasive blasting uses compressed air or water to direct a high velocity stream of an abrasive material to clean an object or surface, remove burrs, apply a texture, or prepare a surface for the application of paint or other types of coating. This type of blasting creates high levels of dust, and depending on the abrasive media being used, may contain toxic components that are hazardous, and sometimes lethal, to workers.

SiONEER’s glass products are free of these toxins, while still being a cost effective, durable, aggressive media. With our selection of customizable sizing, you can blast nearly any surface, for any job. From heavy duty industrial applications to lighter personal at home projects, use as a direct replacement for common sandblasting abrasives on surfaces such as steel, stone, wood, fiberglass, aluminum and concrete.

SiONEER’s glass products are free of these toxins, while still being a cost effective, durable, aggressive media. With our selection of customizable sizing, you can blast nearly any surface, for any job. From heavy duty industrial applications to lighter personal at home projects, use as a direct replacement for common sandblasting abrasives on surfaces such as steel, stone, wood, fiberglass, aluminum and concrete.

Key Benefits of Using Glass as Abrasive Media:

• Cost effective while being a durable, aggressive media.
• Produces less dust and doesn’t leave behind unwanted residues or contaminants. 
• Protects workers from exposure to beryllium, crystalline silica, and other toxic metals that can lead to an increased risk of deadly diseases and cancers.
• In compliance with most recently implemented OSHA regulations on abrasive blasting materials, saving on substantially increased fines.

OSHA Regulations: Understanding The Facts & Protecting Your Workers

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) began enforcing new standards in construction on September 23, 2017, and will begin enforcing further provisions of standard for general industry and maritime on June 23, 2018. These new standards focus on enforcing strict guidelines and penalties concerning both crystalline silica and beryllium exposure. OSHA has not only drastically cut the PEL (permissible exposure limit) of both crystalline silica and beryllium almost in half from previous provisions, but also increased fines that are already being implemented in states like California. The maximum penalty has almost doubled from $70,000 to $126,749 for violation citations.

“SiONEER adheres to all U.S. Department of Labor OSHA requirements”

According to OSHA, employers must protect workers from hazardous dust levels and toxic metals that may be generated from both the blasting material and the underlying substrate and coatings being blasted. Commonly used potentially-hazardous abrasive materials include coal slag, garnet, and crystalline silica sand.

Coal slag and garnet may cause lung damage and certain cancers. Slags can contain trace amounts of toxic metals such as arsenic, beryllium, and cadmium. OSHA’s new provisions estimate to save almost 100 lives from beryllium-related diseases each year, with the end goal of preventing chronic beryllium disease and lung cancer in American workers.

The most dangerous of these medias however is crystalline silica sand, which can cause silicosis. Silicoses is a slow developing, chronic disease that can ruin a person’s ability to breathe. As crystalline silica dust swarms from blasting, small particles get down into the lungs and interfere with oxygen getting into the bloodstream. It can cause lung cancer, damage the kidneys, impair the immune system’s ability to ward off infection, and ultimately lead to death.

The Truth About Crystalline Silica Exposure

Around 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to crystalline silica while at work.

Workers in the blasting abrasives industry who inhale crystalline silica particles are at an increased risk of developing:

• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) 
• Kidney Disease
• Lung Cancer
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• Silicosis

Protect your workers and choose the safe, cost-effective option with SiONEER glass products. Free of toxins, and virtually 100% free of crystalline silica.

Applications Benefiting in the Blasting Abrasives Industry:

Blasting Abrasives

Glass is ideal abrasive to be used in sand blasting applications as a non-toxic, cost effective, durable, and aggressive media. Produce less dust, without unwanted residue or contaminants, and choose from customizable sizing for both heavy duty industrial work or lighter personal at home projects.