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[Structural Steel](https://www.spongejet.com/structural-steel/) - [Industries](https://www.spongejet.com/structural-steel/) - [Abatement](https://www.spongejet.com/abatement/) - [Buildings & Infrastructure](https://www.spongejet.com/buildings-infrastructure/) - [Chemical & Petrochemical](https://www.spongejet.com/chemical-petrochemical/) - [Contractors & Coating Professionals](https://www.spongejet.com/applications-industries/industries/contractors-coating/) - [Facility Maintenance](https://www.spongejet.com/applications-industries/industries/facility-maintenance/) - [Manufacturing](https://www.spongejet.com/applications-industries/industries/manufacturing/) - [Marine](https://www.spongejet.com/applications-industries/industries/marine/) - [Military](https://www.spongejet.com/military/) - [Oil & Gas](https://www.spongejet.com/oil-gas/) - [Power](https://www.spongejet.com/applications-industries/industries/power/) - [Restoration](https://www.spongejet.com/restoration/) - [Resources & Support](https://www.spongejet.com/support/resources-support/) - [Blog](https://blog.spongejet.com/) - [Resource Library](https://www.spongejet.com/support/resources-support/resource-library/) - [Training](https://www.spongejet.com/training/) - [Contact](https://www.spongejet.com/contact/) - [About Sponge-Jet](https://www.spongejet.com/about-sponge-jet/) - [Event Schedule](https://www.spongejet.com/events/) - [Become a Distributor](https://info.spongejet.com/become-a-distributor) ![blog-banner.png](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/blog-banner.png "blog-banner.png") # Blog ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Ship%20Containment%20Blog%20Header.jpg) ## [The Importance of Proper Containment on Abrasive Blasting Jobsites](https://blog.spongejet.com/the-importance-of-proper-containment-on-abrasive-blasting-jobsites) Containment is a vital part of every surface preparation job, but its complexity can vary depending on circumstances such as job site needs, the material being removed *([hazardous](https://blog.spongejet.com/abrasive-blasting-in-hazardous-or-explosive-environments-with-sponge-jet) vs non-hazardous)*, and proximity to other activities, trade workers, pedestrians, or businesses.  [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/the-importance-of-proper-containment-on-abrasive-blasting-jobsites) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/areas-where-plants-use-sj-header-789x309.jpg) ## [Areas Where Plants and Facilities Use Sponge-Jet](https://blog.spongejet.com/areas-where-plants-and-facilities-use-sponge-jet) Regular maintenance is critical for keeping industrial plants and facilities operational and productive. Over time, equipment, ceilings, and other surfaces can see [soot](https://blog.spongejet.com/how-to-remove-soot-from-concrete) and [grease](https://blog.spongejet.com/why-should-you-remove-grease-and-oils-from-the-surface-before-painting) build up and coatings fail, potentially compromising operations, reducing efficiency, and has the potential to impact worker safety. In order to tackle these challenges, many facility owners are adding Sponge Blasting to properly clean and prep surfaces with minimal operational disruptions or unnecessary shutdowns. [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/areas-where-plants-and-facilities-use-sponge-jet) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Confined-Space-Blog-Header.jpg) ## [What are Confined Spaces and Can you Blast in Them?](https://blog.spongejet.com/what-are-confined-spaces-and-can-you-blast-in-them) Contractors and facility managers alike agree that worker safety is the top priority when working on abrasive blasting job sites.From the depths of underground utility vaults to the interior of storage tanks, examples of confined spaces abound. Found in a wide range of industries and workplaces, each pose a unique risk to those who must enter them. [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/what-are-confined-spaces-and-can-you-blast-in-them) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/robotic%20blasting%20safety%20header.jpg) ## [Is Robotic Abrasive Blasting Safer than Manual Blasting?](https://blog.spongejet.com/is-robotic-abrasive-blasting-safer-than-manual-blasting) Worker safety is the number one priority on all abrasive blasting jobsites. [Robotic abrasive blasting](https://blog.spongejet.com/4-key-benefits-of-robotic-abrasive-blasting) is one of the best ways to keep blasters safe while achieving optimal productivity and quality. Overall, robotic abrasive blasting with Sponge Media is a safer alternative to manual blasting in many situations. [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/is-robotic-abrasive-blasting-safer-than-manual-blasting) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Respirator.jpg) ## [How to Fit Test a Respirator](https://blog.spongejet.com/how-to-fit-test-a-respirator) Take a deep breath and consider the following: ***Every worker required to wear a tight-fitting respirator on the job needs a respirator fit test.*** In the United States and many other countries, respirator fit tests are law. This law even applies to disposable N95 particulate respirator masks. A respirator fit test, typically conducted in a controlled environment, is markedly different than the quick “seal check” performed whenever a worker puts on a respirator. [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/how-to-fit-test-a-respirator) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/equip%20header.jpg) ## [Sandblasting Equipment for Contractors](https://blog.spongejet.com/sandblasting-equipment-for-contractors) Sandblasting (or [abrasive blasting](https://blog.spongejet.com/sandblasting-vs-abrasive-blasting) as it’s more properly known) was invented in the late 19th century. The simple process of introducing abrasive into a stream of air and propelling it at high velocity onto a surface has grown with the advancement of technology. Equipment can be as basic or as specialized as desired. [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/sandblasting-equipment-for-contractors) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/coal_slag_w_asbestos_for_blog.jpg) ## [Chrysotile (White Asbestos) Found in Coal Slag](https://blog.spongejet.com/chrysotile-white-asbestos-found-in-coal-slag) In 2017, it was discovered that a major producer of abrasive blasting media had been distributing coal slag contaminated with chrysotile, commonly known as white asbestos. Chrysotile is a known human carcinogen that can be extremely harmful when ingested or inhaled. Asbestos has been found to be a direct contributor to “chronic lung disease as well as lung and other cancers.” [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/) notes, “There is no safe level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber.” [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/chrysotile-white-asbestos-found-in-coal-slag) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/guggenheim_before_789pxl_f.jpg) ## [Concrete Restoration at the Guggenheim Museum](https://blog.spongejet.com/concrete-restoration-at-the-guggenheim-museum) After 50 years of exposure to the elements, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum on New York City’s 5th Avenue needed help. The art museum’s exterior concrete rotunda wall, which corkscrews outward as the building gets taller, was beset by hundreds of cracks ranging from hairlines to those that exposed steel reinforcement bars buried in 5-inch-thick (12.7 cm) concrete. And that’s just what Guggenheim’s team of architects, engineers, and restoration experts could see! Who knew what else lie beneath 12 layers of coatings applied over the decades? [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/concrete-restoration-at-the-guggenheim-museum) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/silica%20blog.jpg) ## [Silica Dust Suppression with Sponge-Jet](https://blog.spongejet.com/respirable-silica-dust-suppression-with-sponge-jet) OSHA's [Final Rule](https://www.osha.gov/silica/) to protect workers from silica is now in effect. Companies that clean, restore, or prepare concrete and stone now have a greater job site responsibility related to respirable crystalline silica that becomes airborne during this process. In their Final Rule, OSHA has reduced the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour shift. To lower airborne silica created by construction processes, OSHA is requiring companies to add engineering controls to concrete, stone and other masonry cleaning and repair processes. [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/respirable-silica-dust-suppression-with-sponge-jet) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/PPE%20Header-1.jpg) ## [PPE for Sandblasting, Abrasive Blasting and Sponge Blasting](https://blog.spongejet.com/ppe-for-sandblasting-abrasive-blasting-and-sponge-blasting) Personal protective equipment or PPE is defined by OSHA to be “equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.” PPE varies based on industrial application – a chemist's PPE would differ from the PPE worn by abrasive blasters. [Read more >](https://blog.spongejet.com/ppe-for-sandblasting-abrasive-blasting-and-sponge-blasting) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [All posts](https://blog.spongejet.com/all) [Next →](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/osha/page/2) Search this site on Google Search Google ### Categories - [Case Histories (42)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/case-histories) - [Historic Restoration (35)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/historic-restoration) - [Tech-Terminal (35)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/tech_terminal) - [Executive View (24)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/executive-view) - [Application Station (22)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/application-station) - [Lead Abatement (22)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/lead-abatement) - [Cleaning (18)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/cleaning) - [OSHA (12)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/osha) - [Safety First (12)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/safety-first) - [corrosion (12)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/corrosion) - [Stone Restoration (10)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/stone-restoration) - [Dustless Blasting (8)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/dustless-blasting) - [Fire Damage (7)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/fire-damage) - [Marine Industry (7)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/marine-industry) - [Robotica (7)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/robotica) - [Granite (5)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/granite) - [Coal Slag (4)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/coal-slag) - [Robotic Abrasive Blasting (2)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/robotic-abrasive-blasting) - [Railcar (1)](https://blog.spongejet.com/topic/railcar) see all ### Recent Posts ### Sign up for our blog. ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/find-rep-bg.png) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/find-rep-img.png) [Distributor Locator](https://www.spongejet.com/find-rep/) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/white-paper-bg.png) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/white-paper-img.png) [Resources](https://www.spongejet.com/support/resources-support/resource-library/?k=&type=document-library&document-type%5B%5D=24&searchsubmit=Search+resource) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/online-traing-bg.png) ![](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/online-traing-img.png) [Online Training](https://www.mytestcom.net/app/myTestcomURL.cfm?accountLogin=SpongeJet123&joinPasscode=SpongeJet123) [![spongejet](https://blog.spongejet.com/hubfs/Spongejet-Oct2015-Theme/Images/logo.png)](https://www.spongejet.com/) - - - - - [+1 603-610-7950](tel:+1-603-610-7950) - [Contact us](https://www.spongejet.com/contact/) Phone: +1 603-610-7950 | 14 Patterson Lane, Newington, NH 03801 USA - [© 2015 Sponge-Jet, Inc.](https://www.spongejet.com/copyright-info/) - [Contact](https://www.spongejet.com/contact/) - [Support](https://www.spongejet.com/support/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.spongejet.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spongejet.com/terms-conditions/)