DUBAI MUNICIPALITY

ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION & SAFETY SECTION

CODE OF PRACTICE ON ABRASIVE BLAST CLEANING OPERATIONS IN DUBAI Adopted under the Local Order No. 61/1991 The Environmental Protection Regulations in the Emirate of Dubai Amended March 1996

The Code of Practice was prepared by Dubai Municipality and adopted under Local Order 61 of 1991 to control the air quality and occupational health issues associated with abrasive blasting. In addition, the Code seeks to reduce the problem of disposal of spent abrasive blasting media which is significant component of Dubais solid waste stream. A code of practice was seen as the best way of introducing fair consistent standards for this industry. All persons conducting abrasive blasting operations must comply with the requirements of the Code. Introduction and Scope 1. This code is adopted under Local Order 61 of 1991 The Environmental Protection and Safety Regulations in the Emirate of Dubai. The code has been prepared from a review of international practice and the experience of the EPSS with this industry in Dubai. The code applies to any abrasive blasting operation which is defined as the operation of cleaning any surface using a process of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive materials against the surface. Abrasive blasting does not include hydroblasting where only high pressure water is used.

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3. Definitions: Blasting area for the purpose of this code means the site where abrasive blasting is taking place and the surrounding buffer area where the concentration of particulates is likely to be above the normal occupational acceptable/ prescribed levels Consumable abrasives (e.g. coal slag) are those abrasive media that are only used once or cannot substantially be recycled. Recyclable abrasives are those materials which can be reused several times with or without cleaning. Metallurgical abrasives are those derived from the primary metallurgy industry and which contain any heavy metal contaminants listed in column 1 of table 1 ,in total , exceeding 0.3% ( 3000 ppm by weight). Open blasting means any controlled process which is not enclosed by 4 walls and roof and vented through an air pollution control device and chimney. 4. Documentation 4.1. Any person or company responsible for the sale of use of any abrasive materials must be in possession of a recent test certificate from an accredited testing laboratory which contains the following information: - Physical properties (e.g. specific gravity, density, appearance, etc). - Heavy metal content. - Free silica content. - Disposal procedures in Dubai. - Personal protective equipment required. 4.2. 5. A test certificate must be made readily available to all parties purchasing the abrasive for use.

Prohibitions on Use of Abrasives 5.1 Sand or any abrasive blasting media containing more than 1% free silica shall not be used in abrasive blasting operations in Dubai. 5.2 All abrasive blasters operating in industrial areas shall use a recyclable nonmetallurgical abrasive material.

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Controls on the Use of Abrasives 6.1. The use of consumable abrasives in not favoured. Where practicable alternatives to the use of consumable abrasives such as high pressure water jetting or recyclable abrasives should be utilized. Dust from abrasive blasting must be contained at the work-site to the maximum feasible extent and should not result in off-site nuisance. Unless large items of work are involved all blasting operations must be done in enclosed blast cleaning machines, cabinets or rooms. Whenever abrasive blasting is done inside an enclosed room, this should be properly ventilated. Exhaust air from blast rooms or cabinets should be vented through appropriately designed dust collectors (e.g. filter bags, or similar equipment). The dust collector should be set up so that accumulated dust can be removed without generation of fugitive emissions and contaminating work areas. Portable blast - cleaning equipment used in the open by industrial establishments and construction sites should be provided with appropriate enclosures such as tarpaulin, screens to prevent dust migration and reduce hazards to adjacent workers and the general public. Companies using abrasives must take all practicable steps to minimize the loss of the materials to the environment, especially the drainage systems and marine waters. Abrasive blast cleaning of shiphulls must be off-water and should, where practicable, be appropriately provided with enclosures or catchment to prevent dust migration and waste falling into drains. Appropriate abrasive blasting technology or low dust abrasives must be used to control dust in the out door blasting of large items of work where off site impact and nuisance is likely.

6.2. 6.3. 6.4. 6.5.

6.6.

6.7.

6.8.

6.9

6.10 Where it is necessary to blast over water, only abrasives approved by the EPSS shall be used.

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Safety of Workers 7.1. Appropriate WARNING signs shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the work areas to warn workers about the hazards and specify personal protective equipment (e.g. respirators). Personnel involved in abrasive blasting must wear a blasters helmet with impact protection cover, fresh air supply and inside collar, suits made of hard-wearing material, leather gloves and safety shoes. The fresh air supply should not permit passage of dust particles less than 10 microns. The air quality should be suitable for breathing purposes satisfying the breathing air quality specifications detailed in the Technical Guideline No. 21. The occupier shall test the breathing air quality once in 3 months, and maintain a record. Measures must be taken to ensure that personal protective equipment are kept separately from other clothing belonging to employees, and outside the working area in special changing rooms. Respirable particulate outside of the abrasive blast cleaning area shall not exceed 50 ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) - 8 hours time weighted average (TWA). In open blasting all workers within the blasting area must wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Workers should not eat, drink or use tobacco products in the blasting areas. Workers should wash their hands and face before eating, drinking and smoking. The employer should provide facilities for workers to take a shower before leaving the worksite. Workers engaged in abrasive blasting must be instructed on the health risks and on the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. All workers engaged in abrasive blasting activities shall be medically examined annually and given a chest x-ray. A file and records of each such staff member shall be submitted to Environmental Protection and Safety Section.

7.2.

7.3.

7.4.

7.5.

7.6. 7.7. 7.8. 7.9. 7.10. 7.11.

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Waste Disposal 8.1. Waste abrasives exceeding the limits specified in columns II and III or contaminated TBTO based paint residues or any other residue considered hazardous to the environment by Dubai Municipality are hazardous wastes in Dubai and must be disposed of in accordance with the procedures specified in Technical Guidelines No. 26 and 27.

Table 1
I Contaminant Arsenic Lead Cadmium Chromium Copper Nickel Mercury Zinc Tin Selenium II Total Concentration mg/kg 500 3000 50 3000 1000 1000 50 5000 500 100 III Leachable Fraction (*) mg/l 5 5 0.50 5 10 2 0.1 50

* Refer to approved leachate test outlined in Technical Guideline Number 23.

8.2.

Disposal of wastes to approved reuse schemes ( i.e cement products or similar ) is encouraged provided that this is conducted in accordance with conditions specified by Dubai Municipality. Any abrasive blasting wastes which are non-hazardous under the above definition and which are not reused may be disposed of as inert solid waste in Dubai.

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