However, they must have a relief device or air port within the system that will drop the pressure to under 30 psi if the air system becomes dead ended. The effects on the human body can be catastrophic which means all perceivable precautions must be exercised during its use. Includes a description of each incident along with a. Compressed air is also used for inflating tires, in cleaning and spray painting. Compressed air powers many different kinds of devices. Air forced into body tissues through the skin can cause an air embolism air bubbles in the blood stream which can be fatal if. Hearing protection should be used in areas where noise levels exceed 85 decibels. Keeping the leakage losses to a minimum will save on compressed air generation costs, and reduce compressor operation time which can extend its life and lower maintenance costs. In many canadian jurisdictions, cleaning with compressed air is not allowed by law. Compressed air can be used for powering pneumatic tools, transferring nonflammable liquids and under strict controlled conditions can be used for cleaning machinery and equipment. Heat of compression desiccant compressed air dryer must replace a nonheated desiccant dryer and a heated blower purge desiccant compressor air dryer must replace an existing membrane type dryer. Have a few compressed air examples for group discussion.
All compressed air systems will have some amount of leakage. Inspect the hose to make sure its in good condition and properly connected. If used incorrectly, compressed air systems have the potential to cause serious and permanent injuries. Your compressed air safety training should include, at a minimum, these key points. Compressed air is widely used in both domestic and commercial situations.
Includes a description of each incident along with a short quiz. A guide to the work in compressed air regulations 1996. Air compressor safety working safely with compressed air. If an air break valve has not been installed, secure the hose to prevent whipping in the event of failure. Mixture any concentration shown as a range is to protect confidentiality or is due to batch variation. Dustoff compressed gas duster falcon safety products. Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against use of the substancemixture. The hazards associated with using compressed air for cleaning purposes. Compressed air definition is air under pressure greater than that of the atmosphere.
In fact, almost every process and machine found in an industrial environment use some form of pressurized air or gas. Information sheet compressed air safe work australia. Most pneumatic tools, including air guns, require 80120 psi to operate effectively and to do useful work. With regard to vehicles, if pressure gauges are displaying incorrect information, a customers tires. Pressured air tanks, hoses and nozzles can be a dangerous combination if treated casually. Compressed air supervisor safety tip series duration. Reflecting the volatility of compressed air, this guidance promotes greater safety knowledge and is addressed to compressor designers, manufacturers, installers and users. Consult the air products safety data sheet sds and safetygrams for safety information on the. Safety science abstracts journal ship abstracts world aluminum abstracts. Compressed air safety general safety requirements for compressed air. Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet falcon safety products, inc.
Since air is a compressible fluid it can be very dangerous if there is an uncontrolled eruption. Compressed air entering the bloodstream through a break in the skin or through a body. Even air at a pressure of 15 psig can cause serious injury. When using compressed air for cleaning purposes, ensure pressure does not exceed 30 psig per osha regulations. This measure is for the replacement of an existing noncycling refrigerated compressed air dryer with a higher efficiency refrigerated dryer. This gory compressed air safety video will give workers an up close look at what can happen when safety precautions arent taken. Once the air is compressed it is a completely different matter as. It has a high output to weight ratio and can be easily stored for immediate use during brief peak demand periods. Emphasis is on raising awareness of headline dangers of air compression use, eg orificial bodily entry, skin penetration, explosions and optical damage caused by particles. What types of injuries a person can suffer when cleaning the body with compressed air. The air supply system generally consists of some type of compressor, storage tank and piping to get the air to the point of use along with valves, regulators and gauges.
Top 12 compressed air safety guidelines mcguire air compressors. Working safely when cleaning with compressed air duke safety. The dangers of using compressed air to clean up combustible dust. This video stresses the importance of working safely with compressed air to prevent injuries. It is safe to clean your body with compressed air as long as your hose is equipped with an approved nozzle. All types of manufacturing processes use compressed air. Air danger the danger associated with compressed air is often not recognized and air is often perceived as. Compressed air safety guidelines general information. British standards can be obtained in pdf or hard copy formats from the bsi online. It shows graphic footage of real injuries resulting from compressed air related machinery. Compressed air safety compressed air is put under pressure in order to do work. This book aims to promote the safe use of compressed air and describes the many ways in.
Dont use compressed air to pressurize a vessel, such as to empty oil from a gearbox, as these vessels arent designed to handle high pressures. This book aims to promote the safe use of compressed air and describes the many. Dont let this dangerous air pressure hurt you or a coworker. It is flexible, odourless and nontoxic, but it can be dangerous if not used responsibly. All pipes, hoses, and fittings must have a rating of the maximum pressure of the compressor. Health and safety executive compressed air safety this is a freetodownload, webfriendly version of hsg39 second edition, published 1998. Compressed air used for cleaning in the workplace can be very dangerous if the necessary precautions are not taken. Introduction compressed air is sometimes characterized as the. True or false compressed air should never be used to clean a persons skin or clothing. Check hoses carefully for indications of cuts, cracks or other damage. Users of compressed air should be aware of the hazards, such as. Compressed air safety safety toolbox talks meeting topics. Compressed air may be stored in cylinders and air receivers or generated by compressors.
The dangers encountered when using or being exposed to compressed air. Know and understand the properties, uses, and safety precautions before using any gas or gas mixture. Barriers and ppe are not necessary when using compressed air to clean equipment or when clearing lines. Its a hard hitting tactic for getting their attention, and. Sometimes hose lines cross and a worker could be fooled. Compressed air can be a killer provides several strong safety points to observe when handling compressed air. Compressed air distribution systems compressed air distribution systems when a compressed air distribution system is properly designed, installed, operated and maintained, it is a major source of industrial power, possessing many inherent advantages. Many people still work under the impression that compressed air is just like the air we breathe and is completely safe. This guidance is issued by the health and safety executive. Air under pressure is delivered via a regulator, airline and air hoses to air tools and equipment. Dont dry bearings using compressed air, as doing so can cause excessive rotations speeds that can cause bearings to explode.
Featured are four workplace incidents that illustrate the fact that compressed air hazards are often not easily recognized but still can have tragic consequences. Hear about how to protect people and equipment working with. Hazards of compressed air and compressed air equipment. The advantages of air power will be discussed further in the proceeding pages. Ppe safety glasses face shield gloves hearing protection proper footwear risks eye injuries embolism hearing damage projectiles always wear proper ppe check condition of hoses and connectors lubricate air tools with proper oil before each use before starting check the area around you and in the direction the air is directed for other people wipe off. Can compressed air greater than 30 psi be used for industrial purposes. Compressed air safety orders governing work in compressed. Never apply compressed air to the skin or direct it at a person. What causes threefourths of all injuries that involve compressed air. Never use a compressed air hose to clean dirt or dust from your clothing or body. Compressed air comes out of a nozzle at a bazillion miles an hour.
The air intakes for all air compressors shall be located at a place where fumes, exhaust, gases, and other air contaminants will be at a minimum. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment ppe when using pneumatic tools and equipment, such as hearing protection and safety. You can buy the book at uk and most good bookshops. Go back to compressed air safety orders table of contents. Make sure the line youre working with is an air hose, not a gas or water line. Before using any compressed air hose, fitting, tool or equipment it must be inspected it to make sure everything is in good working condition. Handling, storage, and use of compressed gas cylinders. Provides several strong safety points to observe when handling compressed air. The importance of hearing protection in areas where compressed air produces excessive noise levels. Use the proper ppe which should include eye protection and hearing protection. To do the online course is the most cost effective measure you can do to achieve results both short and long term.
Compressed air definition of compressed air by merriam. However, compressed air is under pressure and can cause harm and bodily damage if not respected. Reference to cleaning may also be included with specific mention to it being prohibited when. Air powered tools are commonly used in maintenance of construction equipment. Safety codes and regulations should be followed when working with compressed air. No horseplay can be tolerated when using compressed air. Compressed air can cause serious injuries if used incorrectly. Compressed air safety this is a leaders guide to a video of compressed air accidents. Compressed air safety starts with a preuse inspection.
The occupational safety and health administration osha standard 29 cfr 1910. Compressed air is safe, economical, adaptable and easily transmitted and provides labor. Also, be sure to wear the proper safety gear for the job. This version has been adapted for online use from hses current printed version. Fittings and valves look different, but sometimes hose lines cross. Inspect the compressed air system regularly and after performing a proper lockout procedure repair any defects before continuing the job. It is a good idea to set up a leak prevention program. Be sure you are working with an air line, not a gas or water line. Compressed air safety ppe safety glasses face shield gloves hearing protection proper footwear risks eye injuries embolism hearing damage projectiles always wear proper ppe check condition of hoses and connectors lubricate air tools with proper oil before each use before starting check the area around you and in the direction the air is directed for other people wipe off excess fluids from the.
Occupational exposure limits, if available, are listed in section 8. Alberta, newfoundland, prince edward island, quebec, and saskatchewan specifically mention that compressed air shall not be used to clean clothes, or in other situations cleaning a person, machinery, work benches, etc. It is recommended that manual drain valves should be full bore. Why it is important to inspect and maintain compressed air systems, tools and equipment. Compressed air pipelines should be identified psi as to maximum working pressure. The following precautions pertain to the use of compressed air in machine shops. The inappropriate use of compressed air on minesites may result in the following occupational health and safety hazards. The system is composed of an air compressor, compressed air tank, adsorption columns oxygen generator and an oxygen tank. Highpressure injection of particles or liquids may damage eyes or skin. This is a leaders guide to a video of compressed air accidents. The goal of the compressed air training is to achieve direct results in the areas of energy savings, environment, safety and the working environment.
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