Compressed Air Safety

In today’s advanced work environments, compressed air powers a wide variety of tools and equipment as well as large machines and process lines. Benefits of compressed air include low maintenance costs, a low weight to power ratio and the ability to operate for long periods without overheating. Because electricity isn’t associated with compressed air use, most people don’t recognize the dangers posed by this equipment. Just like electricity, however, compressed air can be deadly if not treated with respect and used properly.

Featured are four workplace incidents that illustrate the fact that compressed air hazards are often not easily recognized but still can have tragic consequences. Topics include dangers of cleaning with compressed air, how compressed air can injure the human body, use of hearing protection in noisy environments, inspection and maintenance of compressed air equipment and components of compressed air systems.

Topics include:

• Personal Protective Equipment
• Hazardous Noise Created by Compressed Air
• Cleaning with Compressed Air
• Maintaining Compressed Air Tools
• Dangers of Horseplay