845 Towbin Avenue

Lakewood, NJ 08701
Office: (732) 886-2223
Fax: (732) 886-2250
www.milspray.com

27APR2021
Compressed Air Safety

Working with compressed air requires a safety mindset. Being aware of the hazards and having the right
equipment is essential for a safe workplace, and it should be safe and reliable without having an impact
on performance and efficiency.

In the U.S, more than 25% of all workplace-related injuries, involving days away from work, come from
slips, trips and fall accidents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workplace floors can easily be
cluttered with cables and hoses lying around as potential tripping hazards. Below are more common
concerns and how you can avoid injury or risk in the workplace:

1. Hoses that are not kept in good condition are prone to breakage and more likely to cause injury.
If the hose is kinked or deteriorated at any point, the pressure may be too much and cause a rupture.
Follow these precautions to minimize the risk of injury:

 Inspect the air hose every time before you turn the machine on.
 All damaged hoses should be disposed of properly.
 Ensure there is no oil or grease in or around the hose. Failure to comply with this could lead to
tank explosion.
 Protect your air hoses.
 Store them in areas that do not experience high traffic so they do not get damaged.
 If you must work an area where vehicles or heavy machinery is being operated, use protectors
to preserve the integrity of the hose.

2. Injuries can occur when air hoses are disconnected and whip around uncontrollably.
This is a common cause of injury. By using a whip check to ensure the hose is secured, you can prevent
it from becoming a projectile and thrashing about wildly if it breaks or disconnects.

 Check the connections whenever setting up air hoses to make sure they are secure and “safety
cabled.”
 Always hand tighten valves, regulators and connections.
 Never modify the nozzle.
 If a hose breaks or becomes disconnected, immediately get out of the way.
 Shut the machine off to stop the air flow.
 Never attempt to grab the hose and control it; this is a common cause of injury.

3. Compressed air can get under the skin and penetrate the bloodstream, resulting in an air embolism
with potentially fatal results. Also, air blown at the ears or eyes can rupture eardrums and dislodge
eyeballs.
Do not use compressed air to clean yourself or your clothing. Do not point the hose at your co- workers.
Even air pressure as low as 5-10 psi has been known to cause serious injury. Use a vacuum to remove
dust or dirt from your clothing.
 845 Towbin Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Office: (732) 886-2223
Fax: (732) 886-2250
www.milspray.com

4. Airborne particles moving at an accelerated velocity can cause injury to almost any part of the
body.
Air pressure as low as 40 psi can blow shrapnel and other particles into the eyes and face, leaving cuts,
bruises and possibly more severe injuries.

 Protective barriers should also be put in place to prevent debris from being blown into other
areas.
 You should also wear protective goggles and clothing to shield yourself from flying debris.
 When using compressed air to clean surfaces, the pressure must be kept no higher than 30 psi.

5. Compressed air is loud. The noise level of exhausting air can reach volumes as high as 120 decibels,
which is well above OSHA safety standards and may result in permanent hearing loss or damage.
Always wear hearing protection when working with compressed air.

Practice Workplace Safety

Compressed air is dangerous. In fact, it can kill. Integrating the correct safety at your site helps our team
members avoid unnecessary injuries.
 845 Towbin Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Office: (732) 886-2223
Fax: (732) 886-2250
www.milspray.com

Source: https://www.hcr-llc.com/blog/safety-checklist-working-with-compressed-air