Information Sheet 6
Air Quality Management
Many of the activities associated with boat maintenance can affect local air quality and also contribute to the bigger problems of urban air pollution. Air pollution can be caused by dust, fumes, gases and smoke coming from things you do or products and equipment you use.
Abrasive blasting, cleaning and painting
You must not pollute the air or water when doing any activity generating fine particles (dust).
｡¬ry to do all abrasive blasting, cleaning and painting activities in an enclosed and ventilated work area. Check with WorkCover concerning occupational health and safety requirements.
｡?on't do blasting or high-pressure cleaning on the slipway area unless all wastes generated (blast agent as well as paint) are contained, collected and disposed of correctly.
｡?f the activity is to be carried out on the slipway, completely enclose the hull of the vessel in a tarpaulin or similar enclosure for the whole blasting operation. This should be done in line with occupational health and safety requirements. There are commercial mobile suppliers of this service available.
｡?void sand blasting (which can create toxic dust) and burning off (which can produce toxic gases). Fit grinders and power tools with a dust extraction and collection system.
｡?here possible, use low-pressure water blasting and sponging (or wet slurry blasting only when complete removal is required) in preference to sand blasting to minimise the amount of waste going into the air and the volume of wastewater generated.
｡?pply paint by using:
・rollers or brushes
・airless spray guns in preference to compressed-air guns
・high-volume low-pressure spray guns to reduce the amount of overspray, paint usage, release of volatile organic compounds and subsequent odours.
｡?estrict outside painting and respraying to minor repair and detailing work only.
｡?ollect used abrasive blasting material and paint chips (particularly if poisonous anti-fouling or lead-based paints) by sweeping or vacuuming, and reuse the abrasive material where possible. Store fines and waste material from abrasive blasting in sealed bins to stop wind from blowing it about.
