Profession abrasive blasting operator

Abrasive blasting operators use the proper equipment and machinery to smoothen rough surfaces by abrasive blasting. Abrasive blasting is commonly used in the finishing process of metal workpieces and for blasting building materials used in masonry such as bricks, stones and concrete. They operate blasters or sand cabinets which forcibly thrust a stream of abrasive material such sand, soda or water, under high pressure, propelled by a centrifigal wheel, in order to shape and smoothen surfaces.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Quality standards

    The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

  • Sand blasting machine parts

    The various parts of a type of sand blasting machinery, their qualities and applications, such as a treadle, blast nozzle, dust collecter, filter, abrasive materials and others.

  • Blasting abrasives

    The various types and properties of fine, abrasive materials used for abrasive blasting, such as white aluminium oxide, white aluminium oxide, steel grit, silicon carbide, and others.

Skills

  • Smooth burred surfaces

    Inspect and smooth burred surfaces of steel and metal parts.

  • Inspect construction supplies

    Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

  • Remove inadequate workpieces

    Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.

  • Wear appropriate protective gear

    Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

  • Blast surface

    Blast a surface with sand, metal shot, dry ice or other blasting material to remove impurities or rough up a smooth surface.

  • Ensure equipment availability

    Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.

Optional knowledge and skills

metal smoothing technologies follow safety procedures when working at heights quality and cycle time optimisation operate sandblaster prepare floor for underlayment troubleshoot abrasive blasting processes monitor gauge abrasive machining processes provide advice to technicians set up the controller of a machine prepare floor for terrazzo work in a construction team consult technical resources keep records of work progress supply machine prepare surface for painting prepare surface for plastering follow health and safety procedures in construction use safety equipment in construction spot metal imperfections ferrous metal processing operate sand blasting cabinet blast masonry remove processed workpiece

Source: Sisyphus ODB