OSHA standard 1910.242(b) relating to hand and portable powered tools and other hand-held equipment is clear on using compressed air for cleaning. “Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 psi and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.” Nowhere does the standard state that any part of the body can be cleaned with compressed air, which is quite dangerous.
Using compressed air for other than its primary purpose creates a workplace hazard. Entering through the mouth or belly, it can rupture the stomach, intestines and lungs. Entering the bloodstream, it can cause death due to embolism, heart attack or stroke. It is rare to die from compressed air injection into the body; still, any body part inflated with air can be extremely painful.
Eye injuries are a common result of compressed air misuse. It doesn’t take much air pressure to create impressive debris velocities. A spitball shot through a straw can hit a teacher in the front of the class while propelled by the troublemaker with well under 2 psi of pressure. It doesn’t take much more air pressure than that to propel objects, metal chips or other debris through the air at hundreds of feet per second (Figure 1).
Watch out for misuse
There are many ways to misuse compressed air. For example, 90 psi factory air is provided to operate a handheld pneumatic grinder. However, the pneumatic quick-disconnect fitting allows the operator to remove the grinder and attach a manually-operated air nozzle. At the end of the shift, the operator connects the nozzle and blasts debris off the work area and his or her clothing. The operator may feel compelled to clean a milling machine covered in metal shavings or a surface covered in cement dust, but a high-pressure air blast can make chips and debris travel at dangerous speeds. Propelled by 90 psi air flow, the flying particles can injure someone many feet away. The air pressure can also bounce the material back at the air nozzle operator.
Misuse often continues when the operator cleans himself off using the compressed air. This should never be done because the air nozzle may contact the skin. At common working pressures of 60 to 100 psi, air can be injecting into the body with catastrophic results.
Using compressed air to cool off is another misuse with the same risks and hazards as using it for cleaning. At common work pressures, a compressed air blast can rupture an eardrum from several inches away.
Cleaning with vacuum
A vacuum or a full-body cleaning system should be used to safely remove dust and debris from clothing and equipment without any possible eye hazards.
If compressed air must be used for cleaning equipment, the pressure must be below 30 psi, even if the nozzle is blocked, and effective chip guarding must be in place. To control the pressure, a separate regulator and hose, and a safety nozzle with a tip and cone, should be added to keep the pressure within safe limits (Figure 2).
Also, wear proper PPE including safety glasses and/or a face shield. Other operators in the area must also wear safety glasses. Barriers, baffles or screens (chip guards) probably will be needed to protect personnel.
Jim Krebs has more than 32 years of experience working with industrial equipment and controls in the food and beverage, pulp and paper and pharmaceutical industries. He currently works for AutomationDirect as a technical marketing engineer.
My expertise lies in workplace safety and compliance, particularly regarding Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The OSHA standard 1910.242(b) concerning hand and portable powered tools, as well as other hand-held equipment, is crucial in ensuring workplace safety.
This standard explicitly addresses the use of compressed air for cleaning purposes, emphasizing the critical need for precautions. It dictates that compressed air should not be used for cleaning unless it's reduced to less than 30 psi and is equipped with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment (PPE). This regulation aims to prevent workplace hazards caused by the misuse of compressed air.
The dangers associated with improper use of compressed air are substantial and include severe injuries and potential fatalities. The risk of entering the body through various means, such as the mouth, belly, or bloodstream, can lead to ruptures in the stomach, intestines, or lungs, potentially causing embolism, heart attacks, or strokes. While fatalities due to compressed air injection are rare, any body part inflated with air can cause extreme pain.
Eye injuries resulting from compressed air misuse are common due to the high velocities at which debris can be propelled. Even minimal air pressure, as low as that generated by a spitball shot through a straw, can cause significant harm.
Misuse scenarios, such as using high-pressure air blasts to clean machinery or surfaces covered in debris, pose serious risks. The force from 90 psi air flow can propel particles at dangerous speeds, potentially injuring individuals several feet away. Moreover, cleaning oneself with compressed air can lead to catastrophic consequences if the nozzle contacts the skin, allowing air to be injected into the body at working pressures of 60 to 100 psi.
The article highlights the importance of using alternative methods, such as vacuum systems, for cleaning to eliminate potential hazards to eyes and the body. When using compressed air for equipment cleaning, stringent measures must be followed to ensure safety, including pressure control below 30 psi, appropriate nozzle fittings, and the mandatory use of PPE like safety glasses or face shields. Additionally, implementing barriers or screens (chip guards) is recommended to protect personnel from flying debris.
The author, Jim Krebs, with over 32 years of experience in industrial equipment and controls across various industries, provides practical insights into the risks associated with compressed air misuse, emphasizing the critical need for adherence to safety protocols outlined by OSHA standards.
