Air Tool Safety

Jack hammers, small hand held drills, chipping hammers, nailers, staplers and impact wrenches are common air tools. The use of compressed air in this way is certainly beneficial, but a note of caution is in order. Too many injuries occur because some practical joker aims an air hose or tool at a co-worker. Use compressed air responsibly.

• Any hand or power tool operated by air must be maintained in safe operating condition and used only for the purpose for which it was designed.

If the tool has a damaged or missing guard, it should not be used. Any damaged or defective tool must be tagged and removed from service for repair or replacement . All pneumatic impact tools must have safety clips or retainers securely installed to prevent attachments from being accidentally ejected. Nailers, staplers and other similar equipment operating at more than 100 p.s.i. and having a automatic fastener feed, must have a safety device on the muzzle to prevent fastener ejection, unless the muzzle is in contact with the work surface.

• The manufacturer’s designated safe operating pressure for hoses and fittings should not be exceeded. All air hoses measuring over 1/2 inch inside diameter must have a safety device at the source of supply or at the branch line, to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.

Never lay air hoses on ladders, steps, scaffolds or in walkways so as to create a tripping hazard, and never use an air hose to hoist or lower tools. Always check hoses and fittings for defects or damage before use, and never kink the hose!

• When you need to change a tool at the end of a compressed air line, be sure the valve is closed on the supply side of the coupling. There may be a valve on the hose just before it enters the coupling, or you may have to go to the other end of the hose to find one, but no matter where the valve is located, close it before proceeding.