Soda blasting fires sodium bicarbonate — the same baking soda in your pantry — at a surface with compressed air. That makes it far gentler on people and property than sand or grit, but it is still a high-energy industrial process.
Safety in soda blasting has three parts: protecting the operator, protecting everyone near the job, and dealing properly with the paint, grease or graffiti that comes off.
Below is how Soda Tec handles each part on site across Sydney and NSW, and what you should expect from any soda blasting contractor before work starts.
Is soda blasting safe?
Yes, when it is done properly. Sodium bicarbonate is non-toxic, water soluble and free of crystalline silica, the mineral that makes dry sandblasting so hazardous to lungs. Australian work health and safety rules restrict abrasive blasting with media that contains more than 1% crystalline silica; soda contains none.
Being softer than most surfaces also means soda strips the coating without cutting into glass, chrome, rubber, aluminium or timber. Less damage to the surface means less fine debris from the substrate itself.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) for soda blasting
The operator wears protection for the whole job, including set-up and clean-up. Anyone who has to enter the work zone wears the same.
- → A blast helmet or hood with clean breathing air, or at minimum a properly fitted P2 respirator for light work
- → Eye protection that seals against fine dust
- → Hearing protection, because blasting runs well above safe noise levels
- → Heavy gloves and long sleeves or coveralls to protect skin from the blast stream
- → Safety boots with good grip, since soda slurry makes surfaces slippery
Protecting your site and neighbours
Before blasting, the area is set up so nothing leaves it that should not. Windows, vents, electrical fittings and plants are covered or masked, and people and pets are kept clear of the work zone.
Soda raises the pH of soil, so gardens and lawns next to the job are protected and rinsed afterwards. Run-off is contained and kept out of stormwater drains, because it carries the paint or grease that has been removed.
Old paint, lead and other coatings
Many Sydney homes, boats and cars carry paint layers that are decades old. Lead-based paint was common in houses built before the 1970s, and some industrial and marine coatings contain other hazardous substances.
If a coating might contain lead, it is tested first. Where it does, the job is planned around containment and correct disposal of the waste, or a different method is recommended. Craig will tell you before work starts if a surface needs extra precautions.
Soda blasting safety, answered.
Still unsure? Call Craig on 0407 070 464 and describe the job.
Is soda blasting toxic?
No. The media is food-grade sodium bicarbonate, which is non-toxic and water soluble. The coating being removed can be hazardous, which is why it is assessed before blasting.
Can you soda blast near plants and gardens?
Yes, with care. Soda can harm plants if it builds up in the soil, so nearby gardens are covered during blasting and rinsed with plenty of water afterwards.
Do I need to leave the house while you blast?
Usually not. You will be asked to stay out of the work zone and keep windows and doors on that side closed until the job and clean-up are finished.
Is soda blasting safer than sandblasting?
For most jobs, yes. Soda contains no crystalline silica, does not damage glass or chrome and is easy to rinse away. Sandblasting is still the better tool for heavy rust on hard steel, done with silica-free grit and full PPE.