Traditionally known for its use in cleaning and preparing surfaces for painting and coating, blasting has expanded its reach into various other sectors such as automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, and wind. Additionally, the industry has evolved in response to technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting market demands.

Among the myriad of hazards that corrosion control and protective coatings workers face daily, preventing dropped objects must be a top priority. The stakes are too high to ignore: In 2022 alone, falling objects accounted for 238 deaths and 57,000 injuries in the United States.

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), when ill-fitting or uncomfortable safety gear leads to improper use, it can reduce the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) while increasing the risks of exposing workers to jobsite hazards.

Despite its utility, blasting presents significant hazards to coatings professionals, and not just from the force of the materials themselves. When left unmitigated, these hazards pose the risk of serious injuries to employees and can result in substantial legal and financial consequences for coatings industry employers.

Sam Scaturro, president of Alpine Painting & Sandblasting Contractors, shares his insights on industry trends and keys to success. For Alpine, this includes an emphasis on safer and sustainable practices, as well as developing its workforce and communicating with clients.

Significant changes are expected for federal hazard communications and for lead standards in California, and industrial painters should be especially vigilant because the impacts could be dramatic, according to a recent presentation from a leading U.S. regulatory expert.

The first concern for any employer is to determine whether the space or area meets the definition of a confined space, as specified by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction at the worksite. If the area does comply with the definition of the regulatory standard, then the employer is required to follow the specified written actions.

Rope access technology has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception, transforming from an experimental technique to a widely adopted and versatile method for accessing hard-to-reach areas. This has revolutionized the way industries approach maintenance and inspection tasks, including with high-performance coatings.

Joe Brandel, business development manager at Mips, discusses OSHA’s proposed rule change and the importance of safe PPE usage. In the conversation, Brandel shares insight on why many traditional hard hats are failing in common workplace accidents, and he outlines precautions and new technologies that can protect workers.

Now that state legalization efforts are sweeping the country, many employers find themselves stuck in the weeds as they work to navigate cannabis in the workplace. Employers may have more flexibility than they think, depending on their unique business circumstances.