Page 115 - Occupational Health & Safety, September 2017

Compressed air systems do not deliver clean air. The airflow contains trace amounts of oil, water, dust, and other microscopic particulates, many of which cannot be eliminated even with the use of filtering equipment.
pressures can cause severe injuries if the compressed air is directed at personnel, even accidentally and for a short time. As such, compressed air systems are never suitable for blowing dust or debris off of clothes or bare skin. Cleaning of machinery with compressed air creates blowback that may contain wood or metal chips and other production-related debris.
The potential for even more serious injury exists wherever compressed air may enter the body through an orifice or an open cut or wound. In addition to the possibility of particulate matter entering the bloodstream, even relatively clean compressed air can cause serious and potentially fatal injuries.
Federal regulations require that nozzles for compressed air hoses include a pressure relief feature, however, even this specification still exceeds safe levels. To safely blow debris off personnel, the installation of a separate OSHA-compliant system is essential. OSHA requires that such systems include a chip guard to protect operators from hazardous blowback.
A Matter of Airborne Particulates
Compressed air systems do not deliver clean air. The airflow produced by these systems, which include a compressor or compressors, hoses, clamps, fittings, and nozzles, contains trace amounts of oil, water, dust, and other microscopic particulates, many of which cannot be eliminated even with the use of filtering equipment. In many instances, systems also recycle additional particulate matter generated by the processes occurring within the facility.
These particulates pose dangers for both plant personnel and equipment. If compressed air is used to clean off machinery, dirt and debris may be inadvertently blown into the equipment, affecting performance. The dangers are even more pronounced when compressed air is directed, for whatever reason, at personnel. The pressure of compressed air can force microscopic debris and particulates into the eyes, nose, mouth, and open cuts, resulting in infections and permanent injuries.
Fears About Ears
Air compressors and compressed air systems are known to be significant contributors to high levels of workplace noise, which is recognized as a hazard and regulated by OSHA. Even small compressors generate potentially harmful levels of noise and require that operators and other exposed personnel use ear protection. Industrial multi-unit compressor banks for plant-wide pneumatics operate at dangerously high decibel levels at all times.
High levels of noise are a particular concern for schools, colleges, art museums, and other institutions that may be using compressed air in shop environments. With no real need for the high-pressure discharge from traditional compressors, the potential liabilities of compressed air systems may greatly outweigh any benefits.
Decompress for Safety
The real hazards and the alarming scope of potential liabilities associated with compressed air systems have only recently become fully apparent through a combination of scientific research, technological developments, and the accumulation of medical data from a growing database of case studies. This awareness has in turn spurred extensive new regulatory guidance, enforcement, and intervention.
This uncertain environment has created a demand for market alternatives such as low-pressure, low-noise systems that deliver clean air and adhere to or exceed OSHA and CE standards. These systems may be particularly attractive to educational and institutional markets where personal safety is paramount. But even large-scale industrial operations committed to pneumatics can improve safety, ensure regulatory compliance, limit liabilities, and realize savings by deploying these safer alternatives for personnel and equipment cleanup.
Michael Hurley is a writer with Specialized Safety Products & A.W.T. World Trade, Inc. Specialized Safety Products developed its popular Jet-Kleen series of high-performance personnel blow-off systems to provide safety solutions to a wide range of industries and institutions, responding to the growing demand for a safe and effective alternative to compressed air. Contact the company for sales or technical assistance at 773-777-7100 or visit www.specializedsafetyproducts.com.
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