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The Safety Advantages of Blasting with Garnet

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Worker's Safety in Abrasive Blasting

Worker safety is one of the most critical considerations in abrasive blasting. The choice of abrasive directly affects air quality, potential exposure to hazardous materials, and long-term health risks. Garnet offers a proven safety advantage by eliminating many of the concerns linked with other abrasives.

The Hidden Dangers in Other Abrasives

Independent testing has revealed that several commonly used abrasives contain hazardous elements such as beryllium and arsenic — both known to cause serious long-term health risks. When these abrasives break down during blasting, they release harmful dust particles that increase the risk of respiratory disease.

Coal slags and copper slags, for example, can also carry heavy metals that contaminate not only the air but the ground, creating long-term environmental hazards.

By contrast, GMA Garnet™ contains no heavy metals. Even when grains fracture during blasting, there are no additional health hazards introduced from the abrasive itself.

The Issue of Free Silica

Silica exposure is another major safety concern. When blasting with sand, the friable particles break into fine dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing silicosis — a debilitating and often fatal disease.

“At GMA, we keep free silica down to 0.05 to 0.1%. If a product fails any of our parameters, it just goes back and gets recycled or reprocessed until it meets that spec. When you blast with something that has silica in it, it is so friable — it just shatters into a powder and can actually get into your lungs. The heavy metals are an even bigger issue than silica because there are so many ways they can contaminate the ground.”
Chris Manger
Head of Technical, GMA APAC

In Australia, the limit for free silica in abrasives is set at 1% per bag, but GMA consistently keeps levels far below that threshold.

Cleaner Blasting, Safer Worksites

The difference is clear on the job site. Garnet produces significantly less dust, creating a safer working environment with better visibility and fewer stoppages. Contractors can work longer, more effectively, and with greater peace of mind knowing their abrasive isn’t introducing additional hazards.

Safety and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand

In addition to reducing health risks, GMA provides recycling programs that further enhance safety by managing spent garnet responsibly. For example, a major dry dock company in the Middle East previously relied on coal slag but shifted to garnet once they reviewed the health, safety, and sustainability factors. With garnet, they also benefit from a complete solution that includes the collection and reprocessing of used abrasive.

The Safer Choice

By eliminating heavy metals, keeping free silica at ultra-low levels, and supporting recycling, garnet delivers a holistic solution: safer for workers, safer for the environment, and safer for long-term operations.

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