{"id":54810,"date":"2019-12-02T12:00:28","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aci.teapotdev.co.uk\/jet-black-safety\/jet-black-safety-dangers-of-compressed-air\/"},"modified":"2023-12-08T08:47:25","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T08:47:25","slug":"dangers-of-compressed-air","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/us\/jet-black-safety\/dangers-of-compressed-air\/","title":{"rendered":"Dangers Of Compressed Air"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Is it a good idea to use compressed air to remove dust from clothing, components or work surfaces?<\/h3>\n

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Considering the dangers of compressed air, it is not a good idea to use compressed air to fulfil these tasks. Although many people know using compressed air to clean clothes can be hazardous, it is still used because of old habits and the easy availability of compressed air in many workplaces.<\/p>\n

Most compressed air applications are not connected to electricity, so people do not always consider what dangers may be lurking. But just as safety regulations must be observed for electrical machines and tools, compressed air components must also be treated with respect to avoid dangerous accidents.<\/p>\n

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\u201cVery serious injuries, sometimes fatal, have occurred when the nozzle of the gun has been pointed towards the body, even at some distance from it. Many of the injuries occur when clothing is dusted down and because of this compressed air should never be used for cleaning clothing. Others are the result of horseplay.\u201d<\/em>
Extract taken from Health and Safety Executive \u2013 HSG39<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Is cleaning with compressed air allowed by law?<\/h3>\n

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In some parts of the World (such as regions within Canada), cleaning with compressed air is not allowed by law. However, more and more companies are realising the dangers posed by compressed air for blow-off, and now issue cautionary statements within their own company work rules which may result in written warnings or indeed more seriously dismissal.<\/p>\n

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OSHA<\/strong>
In the United States workplace safety is regulated by OSHA regulations. OSHA is the acronym for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Compressed air use is governed by 1910.242.b, which says that air pressure in direct contact with the skin cannot exceed 210 kPa (30 psi).
The use of protective air cones is generally accepted to protect the operator, but barriers, baffles or screens may be necessary to protect employees from being exposed to flying chips or particles. ACI\u2019s<\/a> JetBlack<\/a> is designed to meet these safety requirements.
https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Exactly what are the hazards for blow-off?<\/h3>\n

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Compressed air is a concentrated stream of air at high pressure and high speed that can cause serious injury to the operator and the people around him. First, compressed air is itself is a serious hazard. It has been known for compressed air to enter the blood stream through a break in the skin or through a body opening. An air bubble in the blood stream is known medically as an embolism, a dangerous medical condition in which a blood vessel is blocked, in this case, by an air bubble.<\/p>\n

An embolism of an artery can cause coma, paralysis or death depending upon its size, duration and location. While air embolisms are usually associated with incorrect scuba-diving procedures, they are possible with compressed air due to high pressures. This may all seem to be improbable, but the consequences of even a small quantity of air or other gas in the blood can quickly be fatal so it needs to be taken seriously.
Unfortunately, horseplay has been a cause of some serious workplace accidents caused by individuals not aware of the hazards of compressed air, or proper work procedures.<\/p>\n

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