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.