3 Ways Sandblasting Improves Mining Machine and Equipment Safety



If you sandblast and repaint your mine's equipment and machines when their coatings degrade, then you don't just get cosmetic benefits. You also maintain your assets and extend their working life. Sandblasting removes old paint, dirt and rust so that you have a clean surface to restore.

However, you might not realise that sandblasting your equipment and machines also has some safety benefits. How can it help improve your site's health and safety management?

1. Reduce the chances of structural damage

If metal starts to rust and corrode, then it will ultimately lose some of its core strength. The metal weakens as some of it turns into powder on the surface. Eventually, it loses its integrity. So, for example, it might become pitted and develop holes. In extreme cases, the metal might get so weak that it breaks.

If you have severe rust and corrosion under old paint on key pieces of equipment on your site, then they aren't safe to use. For example, if the floor on a walkway has hidden corrosion problems, then the walkway might give way when someone walks along it. They could fall and have a serious accident. A fall from a low height can cause significant physical injury, and a fall from a high walkway could potentially kill somebody.

If you sandblast the walkway when its paint or coating starts to break down, then you strip it back to its bare metal. You can then check for damage and fix or replace problem areas before they become a safety hazard.

2. Keep parts and controls in safe working order

Rust, dirt and peeling paint can affect how a piece of equipment or machine works. These materials can collect around moving parts, buttons and controls. If the build-up gets bad enough, they can stop things from moving as they should or from working at all. If a machine or piece of equipment isn't fully operational, then it might not be safe.

For example, if you have a scissor lift on site, and its emergency stop button is clogged up enough to become unusable, then anyone standing on the platform won't be able to use this safety feature if they have a problem. If the lift started to fall, then they could have an accident.

Anything that changes the smooth operation of your equipment or machines is a possible safety risk to the people who use it and your workers on site. If you sandblast items when they get dirty or rusty, then you free up parts and controls to get them back in safe working order.

3. Reduce contact accidents

If paint and coatings start to peel off your equipment and machines, then they expose underlying surfaces. If these surfaces get damaged, they can cause their own problems. People can cut themselves on sharp edges, rough areas or fused parts that stick out. If the metal part is close to the ground, then it might carry the bacteria that causes tetanus.

Plus, someone could have an accident if they touch metal close to breaking point because of extreme rust. For example, someone might make a corroded pipe break if they take hold of it. If the pipe is carrying hot or dangerous liquids, then the person could get hurt.

Timely sandblasting, condition assessments and repainting keep all your equipment and machines in good condition. People shouldn't get contact injuries if all your surfaces are sound and have a suitable protective coating.

If some of your mine's equipment or machines look the worse for wear, then contact Blast Pro. We can make a site visit to assess your stock and help you decide which items to sandblast. We also offer a full professional industrial painting service to help make sure that your assets stay as safe as possible.