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Are you interested in a career that requires physical strength, attention to safety, and good hand-eye coordination? Look no further than becoming a sandblaster. Sandblasters operate high-pressured equipment to shoot abrasive materials, helping to etch, clean, smooth, or shape hard surfaces such as glass, rock, or metal.

Sandblaster Responsibilities and Duties

Sandblasters have a variety of duties and can work in different areas. For example, stone forming and finishing workers clean and polish stone surfaces to specific shapes or designs. They create smooth finishes, like those found on kitchen countertops, and can also cut inscriptions or decorative designs on stone monuments. Labourers in metal fabrication operate equipment to remove excess welds, rust, and other unwanted materials from metal products, preparing them for further finishes. Specialized cleaners use various blasting techniques to clean building exteriors, tanks, chimneys, and industrial equipment.

The Equipment and Techniques

There are different types of sandblasting equipment, including portable blast systems, blast cabinets, and large industrial blasters. Each type utilizes a pressurized system attached to a hose with a nozzle that directs the flow of abrasive particles. The choice of abrasive material, such as silica sand, glass beads, crushed nut shells, steel, aluminum, or pressurized steam, depends on the specific material being worked on and the desired finish.

Skills and Traits Required

In addition to operating equipment and directing particle flow, sandblasters also perform tasks such as adding abrasive material to blast pots, masking off protected areas, applying stencils for design patterns, and maintaining the equipment. When etching, sandblasters may also cut stencils of letters or designs or operate machines that move the sandblasting nozzle over the surface being etched.

Working Conditions and Salary

Sandblasters typically work outdoors but may work indoors in blast rooms or smaller spaces with blast cabinets. The job often involves standing for long periods, bending, crouching, kneeling, and working at heights or in confined spaces, all while operating a pressurized hose. Traits and skills needed for this profession include a safety-conscious attitude, physical fitness, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, organizational skills, and attention to detail. Working well with others on a team is also important.

If you're considering a career as a sandblaster, the average salary is $25.98/hour. While certification is not required, having at least a Grade 10 education is recommended. The demand for sandblasters is approximately 1,500 per province per year.

Classification and Opportunities

In terms of classification, sandblasters fall under various National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, such as Sandblasters (6662.4), Stone Forming and Finishing Workers (9414.4), Labourers in Metal Fabrication (9612), Labourers in Metal Fabrication (J312), and Labourers in Metal Fabrication (95101).

So, if you enjoy working outdoors, operating machinery, and performing precise tasks, a career as a sandblaster could be a great fit for you.