Risk Analysis of Water Blasting Activity in the Automobile Industry

Abstract

In the automobile industry, in order to clean paint from structures on which cars-bodies are transported and painted, the ultra-high water blasting is used on regular basis. The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the safety and health risks related to the water blasting activity, and give suggestions in order to eliminate or reduce those risks. For this purpose, a study was conducted in an automobile industry in Brazil, using two self-made questionnaires, one checklist, the Preliminary Risk Analysis and the Hazard Rating Number. In total ten risks were identified and analyzed, giving recommendations on additional measures to be applied in order to eliminate or reduce the risks for the worker. By analyzing the Brazilian norms considering water blasting, it was identified that workers should rotate after water blasting of each skid. Further studies should be conducted in order to quantify the level of noise during the activity, to evaluate the risk of hearing loss, and give specific suggestions in order to improve the conditions.