Compressed Air

• Body openings are not the only vulnerable areas. If workers use

compressed air for cleaning dust off their clothing, the slightest scratch or

puncture in the skin can permit air to enter. The affected part may swell

and become extremely painful. Once air gets into the blood stream, it can

make its way to the small blood vessels in the brain and cause death.

• Compressed air can cause injuries in other ways too. If it is used to blow

shavings, dust, fillings or chips from machines, it can blow them into the

eyes of workers nearby, or even back into the operator s eyes. It has been

estimated that metal chips with forty pounds of air pressure behind them

travel at a speed in excess of seventy miles per hour. Always wear eye

protection when using compressed air.

Points to Remember:

-Horseplay with compressed air can be fatal.

-Never use compressed air to clean clothing or to blow dust from your

body.

-Never point an airhose at anyone, and always make sure that nearby

workers are out of the airflow.

-Check all connections before using, and keep the hose out of aisleways

unless steps have been taken to prevent a tripping hazard.

- Always wear eye protection.