ERP - Environmental Risk Professionals

Abrasive Blasting Dust & Hazardous Coating Disturbance

Sandblasting, sanding, or needle gunning of surfaces can create harmful dust or dislodge pollutant particles into the air from the abrasive material used in the blasting process. Abrasive blasting media can release contaminants such as arsenic, lead, heavy metals, and crystalline silica. Sandblasting operations can also disturb surface contaminants from the base material or surface coatings, which could contain asbestos, metal-based paints, or chemicals from paints and varnishes. Failure to properly assess the surface materials or to contain dust could result in the release of inhalable particulates or fibers that expose third parties to hazardous air emissions.

Respirable Crystalline Silica & Sandblasting Dust Hazards

Silica sand can create large quantities of dust when it breaks up in the sandblasting process. The silica can become respirable, exposing third parties to the potential development of silicosis, lung cancer, and breathing problems, which in severe cases can be disabling or even fatal.

Blasting Waste Characterization & Spent Filter Disposal

Used personal protective equipment (PPE), high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, equipment washing fluids, or wastewater may be considered special or hazardous waste when discarded and require proper transporting and disposal procedures. Improper waste characterization or disposal could lead to cleanup and third-party liability for contamination at disposal facilities, and there may be legal consequences for violating hazardous waste requirements.

Abrasive Media & Equipment Transport Liability

Transportation of sandblasting equipment materials, sandblasting media, and wastewater to and from job sites or disposal sites can lead to environmental exposure. Leaks and spills during transport or while loading and unloading could create cleanup liability, natural resources damage, and third-party bodily injury or property damage.

Loose Blasting Media Transit & Tarping Failures

For hauling loose materials that can be released during transport, such as the media used in sandblasting operations, the vehicle should be covered and secured with a tarp or other cover material. Failure to use or properly cover the media could generate airborne dust or release loose materials to the road, nearby properties, or adjacent natural resources.

Blasting Wastewater Management & Sewer Discharges

Improper management, storage, and disposal of untreated or improperly treated wastewater from sandblasting operations can lead to unauthorized discharges into the sanitary sewer system, potentially contaminating and damaging the downstream wastewater treatment plant.

Wet-Blasting Paint Removal & Washwater Containment

Paint removal done by water/wet blasting to residential, commercial, or industrial structures requires proper containment systems to capture the resulting wastewater. Paint chips and other solid debris should be separated from the wastewater, collected, and properly managed. Improperly contained wastewater has the potential to contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface water.

Contractors Pollution Liability Can Provide Coverage For

Contracting operations completed “by or on behalf of” the insured

Contracting operations performed at a jobsite

Third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage

Third-party claims for cleanup

First-party emergency response costs

Mold, legionella, bacteria, fungi, and viruses

Lead and asbestos

First and third-party transportation pollution liability

Loading and unloading

Sudden and accidental coverage for owned/leased locations

Non-owned disposal sites

Defense of third-party claims

Claims Scenarios & Examples

Sandblasting operations were underway at a new water tower near some residential communities. The residents complained of the noise and dust from the sandblasting and the harmful impacts on their health and property. The residents filed a lawsuit alleging the abrasive sandblasting caused a toxic cloud in the air and layers of silica dust to accumulate on their property. Residents also complained of health issues resulting from breathing in the dust. The lawsuit claims the sandblasting contractor failed to implement proper controls.

A street and road contractor hired a subcontractor to perform abrasive sandblasting on a bridge. This work caused lead paint chips and dust to become airborne and migrate onto nearby residential properties, requiring extensive and costly cleanup. The residents filed property damage and cleanup claims against the subcontractor and the prime contractor.

ter Act by not using proper water pollution controls, resulting in a release of sandblast material in the harbor. The company was sued by federal and state governments and faced penalties of up to $710,000. As part of the settlement, the company was required to collect the water used to clean up after paint removal and sandblasting operations, treat it, and ensure that the water was not released when the drydock was lowered into the harbor.

A contractor was working on a renovation project on a historical building. Employees of a nearby office building claimed that the contractor failed to properly minimize dust emissions from sandblasting operations, resulting in the migration of silica dust from the renovation project to their office. They sued for bodily injury damages.

An apartment complex hired a contractor to conduct sandblasting operations on the two upper floors of one of the buildings to remove the original paint, which contained lead. Residents complained of dust that migrated throughout the complex from the sandblasting. However, they didn’t get any response from the complex owner. Some residents took matters into their own hands and hired a testing company to see what was in the dust. Test results revealed that high levels of lead were found throughout the building. The residents then filed an official complaint with the EPA, alleging that the landlord and contractor were responsible for dispersing lead throughout the apartment complex.

Fifty residents who lived near a large shipyard complained of dust emissions that filled the air from sandblasting operations performed at the yard. The shipyard ignored their complaints, so the residents sued for monetary damages, stating that the sandblasting spread silica dust throughout the neighborhood. That spread had a negative impact and resulted in tiny pieces of dust, paint, and other chemicals being released. The dust left a thick film on cars, patios, and sidewalks and was tracked into homes.

Contractors

Sandblasting

Environmental Exposures May Include