Blasting and Grinding Markets

Bullard has been a leader in the abrasive blasting and grinding industries since the 1930s. At that time, we developed a supplied air abrasive blasting respirator for use in the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Since then, Bullard has continued producing innovative, durable, effective respirators that keep worker comfort and fit as a priority.

88VX action shot

The harsh conditions experienced in abrasive blasting and grinding require advanced protection. Bullard has also taken into consideration the wearer’s comfort in our designs for these applications. You’ll find optimum visibility with no “closed in feeling,” easily replaceable components and climate control options.

Whether blasting with sand, coal slag, walnut shells or another industrial material, the workers need protection against the dangerous rebound created in this process. Each Bullard cape is NIOSH-approved for use with Bullard abrasive blasting respirators and features a comfortable, sewn-in, spandex neck cuff designed to provide a physical barrier to airborne contaminants. In addition, durable head protection is provided with the 88VX, and optional head protection is available with the GR50.

The Bullard 88VX has been proven to achieve Assigned Protection Factors of 1,000 in third party testing. This is in sharp contrast to an Air Purifying Respirator (APR) which is only rated for 10 APF (half-face) and 50 APF (full-face) and does not meet the NIOSH requirements of a Type CE respirator, which includes rebound protection.

Abrasive blasting respirators are defined as Type CE by NIOSH according to 42CFR84 as follows: 84.130 Supplied-air respirators; description.
(f) “Type “CE” supplied-air respirators. A type “C” supplied-air respirator equipped with additional devices designed to protect the wearer’s head and neck against impact and abrasion from rebounding abrasive material, and with shielding material such as plastic, glass, woven wire, sheet metal, or other suitable material to protect the window(s) of facepieces, hoods and helmets which do not unduly interfere with the wearer’s vision and permit easy access to the external surface of such window(s) for cleaning.”

Our expertise in designing superior products for the blasting and grinding markets is showcased in the following supplied air respirators:

88VX
88VX
  • OSHA 1,000 APF
  • Continuous flow Type CE abrasive blasting respirator
  • Helmet meets ANSI head protection standard
  • Inner and outer lenses
  • Uses: Abrasive blasting, painting and coating operations
GR50
GR50
  • Designed for grinding
  • Lightweight
  • Nomex® outer hood
  • Flame retardant inner bib
  • Compatible with a hard hat
  • Uses: Grinding, painting and coating operations

Only original Bullard replacement parts should be used. Use of “will-fit” or “pirate” replacement parts void NIOSH approval and could result in serious injury or death. For more on this, please read http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/pdfs/UsersNotice05042007.pdf

The following letter comes directly from www.cdc.gov. For the original text, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/run-052396a.html

NIOSH Respirator User Notices

May 23, 1996

SUBJECT: All Users of Type CE, Abrasive-Blast Supplied-Air Respirators

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is updating information on (1) the kinds of respirators approved for abrasive-blast (sandblasting) operations and (2) the NIOSH recommendations for selection and use of these respirators. This information replaces the NIOSH Respirator User Notice dated October 4, 1993.

CURRENT CERTIFIED ABRASIVE-BLASTING RESPIRATORS

Type CE abrasive-blast supplied-air respirators are the only respirators suitable for use in abrasive-blasting operations.* Currently, there are four kinds of Type CE abrasive-blast respirators certified by NIOSH. These four kinds of respirators and the NIOSH recommended assigned protection factors † (APF) are:

  1. a continuous-flow respirator with a loose-fitting hood and an APF of 25;
  2. a continuous-flow respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and an APF of 50;
  3. a positive-pressure respirator with a tight-fitting half-mask facepiece and an APF of 1000;
  4. a pressure-demand or positive-pressure respirator containing a tight-fitting full-facepiece and an APF of 2000.
* Note: Air purifying and powered-air purifying respirators are not recommended for abrasive blasting operations, but may be suitable for auxiliary work such as outside clean-up operations.
† Note: OSHA APFs for abrasive blasting operations may differ somewhat from NIOSH recommended APFs. The reader should consult with his/her local OSHA office for details.

NIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS

NIOSH recommends the following for all abrasive-blasting operations:

  1. Silica sand should NOT be used as an abrasive medium.
  2. Respirators should not be used as the only means of preventing or minimizing exposures to airborne contaminants. Dust source controls such as containment systems, local exhaust systems, and good work practices should be implemented as the primary means of protecting workers. When dust source controls cannot keep exposures below the recommended exposure limits, controls should be supplemented with the use of respiratory protection.
  3. Environmental monitoring by trained personnel should be conducted in all abrasive-blasting applications. This is necessary to select the proper respirator (APF) and insure that workers are not overexposed (i.e., measured contaminant concentration is less than the exposure limit multiplied by the respirator APF).
  4. Anytime environmental conditions, airborne contaminants, or their concentrations are highly variable or poorly defined, high level respiratory protection should be used, even if silica is not the abrasive agent.
  5. If silica sand is used, despite its much greater hazard relative to other abrasive agents, only the highest level protection respirators (i.e., respirators certified by NIOSHas pressure-demand or positive pressure and with NIOSH recommended APFs of 1000 or 2000) should be used.
  6. Respirators will only provide a satisfactory level of protection when they are selected, fitted, used, and maintained according to the manufacturer’s written instructions, NIOSH approval limitations and guidelines, and OSHA regulatory requirements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you require additional information, or have further questions, please direct your request to:

Richard W. Metzler, Chief
Certification and Quality Assurance Branch
Division of Safety Research
1095 Willowdale Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Telephone: 304-285-5894, or call 1-800-35-NIOSH 1-800-356-4674



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