Sandblasting Contractor Insurance

State laws and local regulations often require abrasive blasting contractors to have a license and permit. To obtain them, you may need to be bonded and insured.

Here are several examples of what you might need:

• Business license. To form a business, you'll need to get a business license and register with your local government.
• Contractor's license. In many states, you'll need a contractor's license to do sandblasting and other abrasive blasting. You'll likely need to be a certain age, have a specific amount of experience, pass an exam, pay a fee, and show proof of liability coverage or a bond.
• Building permit. Sandblasting contractors may need a permit from their local building and zoning department or state agency before they can begin a project, especially if it involves confined blasting or outdoor blasting in a populated area.
• Additional permits. You might also need a permit for work that involves scaffolding, hazardous materials, or compressors that releases pollutants, all depending on your local regulations.

Even when it's not required, a license or certification in abrasive blasting can help elevate your business above the competition when trying to get a contract or win a bid. The general contractor or project owner may also have their own requirements.

For example, you could earn an Abrasive Blaster Certification from the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), or take a state-specific course like the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Abrasive Blasting Program.

You'll likely need the following insurance products when you start your business:

• General liability insurance protects against accidents that harm people outside your business. You might need it to get a contractor's license, rent a commercial space, or sign a contract.
• Workers' compensation insurance covers medical bills from workplace injuries. Some states require it for everyone who works in the construction industry, even sandblasting contractors who operate independently.
• Commercial auto insurance pays for damages if your work vehicle gets into an accident. Most states require this coverage for vehicles owned by a business.

The cost of insurance for abrasive blasting companies depends on your unique risks and the policies you buy.

Factors that affect your premiums include:

• Business size and revenue. Bigger businesses that earn more tend to pay more for insurance, as they're associated with costlier claims.
• Type of sandblasting operations. Whether you specialize in paint and rust removal, log home cleaning, or restoration of farm machinery will affect how much you pay for insurance.
• Number of employees. A larger workforce brings an increased risk of injuries, accidents, and lawsuits, which results in higher premiums for policies like general liability and workers' comp.
• Business location. Businesses in areas that are susceptible to flooding or property crime can expect higher insurance rates. Higher property values or healthcare costs can also drive up the cost of insurance.
• Safety record and experience. A blasting contractor who has been in business for a long time with a strong safety record and risk control measures may see lower insurance rates.
• Claims history. Sandblasting companies with a clean history of claims will pay less for insurance, which is another reason to focus on risk management.
• Coverage limits and deductibles. You can save money on insurance by choosing lower per-occurrence or aggregate limits or a higher deductible. However, make sure you can easily afford the deductible and that your limits are sufficient to cover a potential claim.

Employers must comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for abrasive blasting safety.

That includes:

• Engineering controls. Choose less toxic abrasive materials and use an exhaust ventilation system
• Administrative controls. Use wet methods or HEPA-filtered vacuuming for cleanup.
• Personal hygiene practices. Don't allow eating, drinking, or tobacco use in blasting areas.
• Respiratory protection. Respirators must be approved by NIOSH and cover the worker's head, neck, and shoulders.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE). Workers must have hearing protection, helmets, gloves, and other gear.
• Worker training and hazard communication. Workers must be trained on health and safety hazards and the use of PPE.

Sandblasting contractors often rely on other types of construction insurance as part of a comprehensive risk management strategy:

• Commercial property insurance covers your office and its contents, including computers, furniture, and equipment stored at your business address. If you don't have an office, you can buy business personal property (BPP) coverage to protect the items that belong to your business instead.
• Business interruption insurance, also called business income coverage, helps your business recover from a temporary forced closure due to a fire, storm, or other covered property claim.
• Contractors pollution liability insurance pays for cleanup costs and legal fees related to pollution, such as harmful particulate released during blasting.
• Commercial umbrella insurance, similar to excess liability insurance, activates to provide coverage when your underlying general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, or employer's liability insurance policy reaches the limit on a claim.
• Surety bonds: Abrasive blasting contractors may need a surety bond to get a license or sign a contact. A bond guarantees reimbursement if a contractor fails to comply with regulations and contract terms.

Our licensed insurance agents can help you find the best insurance solutions for your business, along with any additional coverages for your sandblasting operations.