Compressed air safety this is a leaders guide to a video of compressed air accidents. When there is a risk for particulate exposure, always wear goggles or a face shield over safety glasses to protect the eyes. As the pharmaceutical industry has grown, so too has the use of compressed air for breathing air, equipment, and instrument air operation. Compressed air pipelines should be identified psi as to maximum working pressure.
Published in december 2010 by the workplace safety and. Browse our collection of compressed gases files in pdf format. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning pur poses except where. Ideally, inline adsorption filters should always be placed downstream of a compressed air dryer to prolong adsorption filter element cartridge lifetime. The department of labor does not endorse, takes no responsibility for, and exercises no control over the linked organization or its views, or contents, nor does it vouch for the accuracy or accessibility of the information contained on the destination server. Information sheet compressed air safe work australia. Use a noise reducing air gun and wear hearing protection when peak noise levels are greater than 85 decibels. Accident search results page occupational safety and. Safety toolbox topic on the dangers of compressed air and ways to prevent accidents and injuries when dealing with them compressed air safety safety toolbox talks meeting topics s a f e t y. Air nozzles and jets safe and effi cient use of compressed air th e ine.
So, pay close attention as we get to the point about compressed air safety. Compressed air comes out of a nozzle at a bazillion miles an hour. Compressed air used for cleaning in the workplace can be very dangerous if the necessary precautions are not taken. Thank you for visiting our website you are exiting the department of labors web server. While compressed air normally works well with very few problems, the risks are real and very serious. Fittings and valves look different, but sometimes hose lines cross. Compressed air safety data sheet according to the hazardous products regulation february 11, 2015 21022017 en english 66 dot special provisions 49 cfr 172. We then benchmark published good manufacturing practices as they relate to compressed air use in a food processing facility under a global food safety initiative sqf, brc, fssc22000 environment. Jul 27, 2019 oil free compressed air standards do not set reasonable mgm3 limits. This safety note provides guidelines for the safe use of compressed air. Accident search results page occupational safety and health. Fsma, haccp, and your compressed air system international. Wet air reduces the adsorptive capacity of the adsorbent material, reducing adsorption filter element cartridge lifetime. Are compressed air receivers periodically drained of moisture and oil.
Lifethreatening emergency or imminent hazard to the environment 911 from cell phone. Hear about how to protect people and equipment working with. Never tamper with air guns to modify them in any way. Are all safety valves tested frequently and at regular intervals to determine whether they are in good operating condition. The compressed air system distributes energy in the. Compressed air safety general safety requirements for compressed air. Never use compressed air to clean your clothes or body. This section provides information about the hazards involved with compressed air and the associated safe work practices. For over 29 years, weve upheld the highest quality standards in the industry, delivering uncompromising quality in accordance with iso 8573, nfpa 1989, osh. Compressed air corporate health and safety government of. What causes threefourths of all injuries that involve compressed air. With all the important safety issues on your training agenda, compressed air safety might not seem like a pressing problem.
The purpose of this course is to present fundamentals and general information on compressed air systems. The trouble with compressed airworkers might not think. What precautions should be taken when using compressed air. 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. Air compressor safety working safely with compressed air. Safety toolbox topic on the dangers of compressed air and ways to prevent accidents and injuries when dealing with them compressed air safety safety toolbox talks meeting topics s a f e t y t o o l b o x t o p i c s. Includes a description of each incident along with a short quiz.
Pressured air tanks, hoses and nozzles can be a dangerous combination if treated casually. Finally, exercise caution around any type of pressurized gas in the factory, on the job site, and even at home. Also, keep up with the moffitt blog for more workplace safety tips. Depending on the compressed air or gas system, contamination can take several forms and have multiple sources. Information sheet compressed air information sheet compressed air. This instruction should be read in conjunction with the risk assessment procedure for the air compressor. Compressed air safety compressed air is often misjudged and not recognized as a hazard because people often think of air as harmless. On the contrary, solids and particles are present almost everywhere in the form of dust in various concentrations. 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.
Even air at a pressure of 15 psig can cause serious injury. The occupational safety and health administration osha standard 29 cfr 1910. The following precautions pertain to the use of compressed air in machine shops. Blowing air from a compressed air system into your mouth can cause ruptures in the lungs or stomach. Valve protection caps must be in place when compressed gas cylinders are transported.
The trouble with compressed air workers might not think its hazardous emphasize the hazards. Compressed air pdf files you can use in your safety training programs. Compressed air safety guidelines general information. It not only wastes huge amounts of compressed air but also violates osha noise and dead end pressure requirements. All employees using a compressed gas cylinder must be properly trained in the safe use, handling, and storage of the cylinder.
Compressed air can be a killer provides several strong safety points to observe when handling compressed air. Be equipped with a manual type sprinkler system that can be activated inside the lock. Use of compressed air for cleaning purposes this document outlines the general requirements for the safe use of compressed air for cleaning purposes. Must be fitted with a safety pressure relief valve, a pressure gauge, a drain valve and inspection hole or cover. These compressed air cleanups, called blowoffs, typically include a pipe or a hose supplied with compressed air that feeds to one or more outlets or nozzles. Even harmless substances like oxygen and air can be hazardous when kept in a pressurized container, which can explode or become a deadly missile if handled carelessly. Compressed air safety with wes swiger alex verstoppen chris dunn kelley higgins kathi dixon. Compressed air and gas safety compressed air compressed air is air kept under high pressure that is used on its own and to power mechanical devices. Trace analytics, llc is an a2la accredited laboratory specializing in compressed gas analysis for the breathing air, manufacturing, and medical gas industries worldwide. Safety toolbox topic on the dangers of compressed air and ways to prevent accidents and injuries when dealing with them. Compressed air entering the bloodstream through a break in the skin or through a body opening can create an air bubble embolism, which is a dangerous and potentially deadly medical condition.
Use the proper ppe which should include eye protection and hearing protection. It shows graphic footage of real injuries resulting from compressed air related machinery. Common contaminants of compressed air or gas include solid particulates, oil vapors and aerosols, water vapor or aerosol, and viable microbial contamination. Compressed air systems must be designed for the pressures expected. British standards can be obtained in pdf or hard copy formats from bsi. Hazards of compressed air and compressed air equipment safe. All pipes, hoses, and fittings must have a rating of the maximum pressure of the compressor. This guidance is issued by the health and safety executive.
Compressed air safety 5 hazards to avoid creative safety. Additional sections of this safety manual contain related policies and should be consulted for specific. Employees will ensure that compressed air systems are used for their intended purpose and that preuse inspection is completed prior to use. Know the hazards of compressed air and be familiar with osha safety requirements for using compressed air tools. Whenever providing employees with compressed air safety training, the most important thing is to make sure they all recognize the seriousness of the risks that are there. Compressed air should not be used for cleaning purposes without appropriate reduction of valves 30 psi maximum. Never use a compressed air hose to clean dirt or dust from your clothing or body. Hazards of compressed air and compressed air equipment.
Secure compressed gas cylinders in an upright position on an approved carrier while being transported. Cylinders should never be stored horizontally in a vehicle. If the air compressor is to be operated in a dangerous or hostile environment, the userclient is responsible for conducting an appropriate risk analysis and applying suitable controls to mitigate those additional risks. Have a few compressed air examples for group discussion. Compressed air systems 2 days offered by the compressed air challenge. Did you know air forced into body tissues through the skin can cause an air embolism air bubbles in the blood stream which can be fatal if it reaches the heart, lungs, or brain. Compressed gases safety training powerpoint presentations. Finally, we provide several compressed air quality gmps based on those published standards. Since all compressed air systems will have some amount of leakage, it is a good idea to set up a leak prevention program. Gas cylinder safety environmental health and safety.
What are the compressed air standards in the pharmaceutical. Hazards of compressed air and compressed air equipment flying particles and debris can result in eye injuries, cutsscrapes or other significant injuries to almost any body part. This guide manual provides information on the safe use and protection of personnel when using compressed air. Its a hard hitting tactic for getting their attention, and. The importance of hearing protection in areas where compressed air produces excessive noise levels.
This book aims to promote the safe use of compressed air and describes the many ways in. Be sure you are working with an air line, not a gas or water line. Compressed air safety compressed air is put under pressure in order to do work. No horseplay can be tolerated when using compressed air. Never apply compressed air to the skin or direct it at a person. This gory compressed air safety video will give workers an up close look at what can happen when safety precautions arent taken. Compressed gas safety program ohio state university. Compressed air safety safety toolbox talks meeting topics. 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.
In many cases, a properly designed heat recovery unit can recover anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of this available thermal energy and put it to useful work heating air or water. That is the point of our facilitys policies regarding the use of compressed air and that is the point of this program. The usa accounts for about half of the global pharmaceutical market. Associated guidance on the use of compressed air in relation to tyres is. When using compressed air for cleaning purposes, ensure pressure does not exceed 30 psig per osha regulations. To learn more about compressed air safety visit the website for the compressed gas association. 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. The dangers encountered when using or being exposed to compressed air.
Risk assessment pdf ifsqn compressed air testing trace. Underground construction, caissons, cofferdams, and compressed air. For over 29 years, weve upheld the highest quality standards in the industry, delivering uncompromising quality in accordance with iso 8573, nfpa 1989, osha learn more. Compressed air can break through skin and cause minor injuries, but if the air enters into the bloodstream, and travels to the brain or heart, stroke or heart attack symptoms can occur. Compressed air is safe, economical, adaptable and easily transmitted and provides labor saving power. The trouble with compressed airworkers might not think its. In most cases, compressed air contacts the product. Working safely when cleaning with compressed air duke. Open air pipe or copper tube turbulent compressed air blasts straight out of the pipe or tube. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning pur poses except.
What types of injuries a person can suffer when cleaning the body with compressed air. Compressed air corporate health and safety government. The hazards associated with using compressed air for cleaning purposes. Top 12 compressed air safety guidelines mcguire air compressors. However, air pressure of less than 10 psi can cause injury if not used properly. Benchmarking compressed air gmps for food safety compliance. The inappropriate use of compressed air on minesites may result in the following occupational health and safety hazards.
665 951 1238 647 1321 293 484 1469 1379 810 383 85 1231 1128 738 559 1048 307 201 590 1503 1160 1097 1129 1343 408 280 927 1153 96 1352 1409 1545 957 1635 1590 1301 1309 1245 801 975 1295 1067 1252