What Is Proper PPE for Sandblasting?

Sandblasting exposes workers to high-velocity abrasive media, airborne particles, noise, and potentially hazardous contaminants. Inadequate protection can result in serious injuries or long-term health issues, including silicosis, hearing loss, and hazardous exposure. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for sandblasting supports operator safety and regulatory compliance.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and several additional regulatory bodies require all sandblasting operators to wear protective equipment. Learn more about why PPE is needed for sandblasting here.

Respiratory Protection

Sandblasting generates concentrated airborne contaminants, including dust, abrasive particles, metal residues, and, in many cases, crystalline silica. Inhaling these substances can pose serious health risks, particularly during dry or open blasting operations. Key respiratory hazards include:

Crystalline silica: When sand or other silica-containing abrasives break into microscopic particles, inhalation can lead to silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and tuberculosis.
Metal fumes: Without adequate respiratory protection, workers face short-term exposure effects and long-term occupational illnesses. Exposure to fumes from lead, cadmium, arsenic, and hexavalent chromium can cause respiratory illness, cancer, and organ damage.
Abrasive dust: Even with nontoxic abrasives like superoxalloy, dust can cause mucosal irritation in the nose, throat, and lungs. This leads to asthma-like symptoms and potential reduced oxygen intake during prolonged exposure.

Operators must wear respiratory protection engineered to block fine dust, hazardous contaminants, and abrasive particles under high pressure.

A graphic showing proper PPE for sandblasting and identifying each PPE item

Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) mandates that operators use a NIOSH-approved Type CE SAR with a full-coverage blast helmet. The respirator needs to deliver Grade D breathable air sourced from an oil-free compressor or a clean, filtered air supply system. It should feature an air filtration unit to remove oil mist, particulates, moisture, and carbon monoxide, and a pressure gauge to ensure correct airflow.

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

PAPRs use a battery-powered blower to draw air through filters and supply it to the user in positive pressure. They are unsuitable for high-dust blasting but may be used for support tasks or post-blasting cleanup. They use HEPA or P100 filters to remove particulates and provide greater mobility than SARs, making them better suited for support personnel working near blasting operations.

Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs)

While these half-mask or full-face respirators are not suitable for blasting operations, they work well for limited-duration tasks. They are passive, relying on lung power to draw air through filters, which can lead to fatigue in very dusty environments.

Eye and Face Protection

Sandblasting generates intense particle velocity and airborne debris. Abrasive media, substrate fragments, and coating particles rebound unpredictably from the work surface. These high-speed particles can cause serious eye and facial injuries, even at a distance. Workers risk corneal abrasions, eye lacrimation, and facial bruising or puncture injuries. Dust generated during blasting can infiltrate the eyes, causing irritation and inflammation, chronic dry eye, or conjunctivitis.

Blast Helmets With Viewports

Blasting operators should wear goggles with anti-fog coatings and sealed edges to block exposure to residual fine dust. Eye and face protection must defend against high-velocity abrasives, media ricochet, and airborne particles. Blast helmets with viewports can integrate with Type CE supplied-air respirators. These also serve as the primary eye and face shield with:

An impact-resistant polycarbonate lens
Replaceable inner and outer lens covers
A sealed shroud or cape to prevent particulate entry
Outer disposable lens covers to prevent pitting

Safety Glasses With Side Shields

Operators need ANSI Z87.1-certified safety goggles with side protection for nonblasting tasks, such as handling abrasive media. These low-risk glasses feature a wraparound design or attachable side shields that block lateral particles. Technicians preparing abrasive media or servicing equipment near but not inside a blast area should wear safety glasses as baseline protection.

Hearing Protection

Air compressors, blast nozzles, media rebound, impact, and vacuum recovery systems generate additional noise in reflective environments. Together, these variables can reach sound levels above 85 decibels (dBA), which can cause permanent hearing damage. Operators must have hearing protection that fits snugly against the ears.

Earplugs: Foam or premolded earplugs are inserted into the ear canal. Foam plugs expand to seal the canal, making them ideal for high-decibel environments. Premolded plugs, made from silicone or rubber, provide a consistent fit and are reusable. Both options are lightweight, compatible with helmets and respirators, and effective when inserted properly.
Earmuffs: Earmuffs cover the entire outer ear and use sound-dampening foam with a firm headband to seal around the ear. They offer consistent attenuation and can be integrated into some blast helmets for easy fitment.
Dual hearing protection: Noise levels exceeding 105 dBA require earplugs and earmuffs. This setup is standard for abrasive blasting operators and recommended for any exposure over 110 dBA.

Body and Hand Protection

During sandblasting, abrasive materials rebound off the surface unpredictably and at high speeds, creating a constant threat of ricochet and impact injuries. Operators must wear abrasion-resistant garments and gloves to protect themselves. The gloves should be made of thick leather or rubber-coated, with a seamless inner lining to reduce chafing during extended use. Operators should check them regularly for wear, as abrasive dust can degrade material over time and reduce protection.

Workers should also wear a blast suit constructed from leather or heavy canvas, with reinforced arms and legs. Suits should be loose-fitting to allow mobility but secure at the wrists, ankles, and neck to prevent abrasive dust entry. They should withstand repetitive impact and be compatible with supplied-air helmet shrouds. In vertical steel structure blasting, for example, falling debris and abrasive backblast strike the operator’s shoulders and arms, making full upper-body leather coverage essential.

Switch to Safe Abrasive Media From 10X Engineered Materials

Personal protective equipment for sandblasting is crucial, as this task creates extreme environmental hazards. The right PPE protects workers, ensures compliance, and supports sustained productivity. By remaining compliant with sandblasting PPE regulations, sandblasting operators can significantly lower their risk of injury and illness.

At 10X Engineered Materials, we understand the importance of employee safety. Our superoxalloy abrasive media is engineered to perform well, and as the only biosoluble abrasive on the market, is vetted by global health authorities. Our products are SSPC AB-1 Certified, California Air Resources Board Approved, and NAVSEA Military QPD: MIL-PRF-22262C listed.

View our selection or contact us to learn more about these products and find the right abrasive media for your project.

Written by Jacob Vaillancourt

Jacob Vaillancourt is a partner, co-founder, and CMO of 10X Engineered Materials. He is responsible for marketing. Jake has eight years of experience in surface preparation and 13 years of experience in industrial production processes. He is also an active instrument rated fixed-wing pilot.