The fourth utility: Handle with care
August 12th 2011 As the UK’s fourth utility, compressed air is widely used in industry for a multitude of purposes. Like other utilities, it must be used with care as there are dangers from incorrect use.
Here Martin Chitty from Mattei offers some advice on how to use compressed air correctly and safely.
The dangers surrounding gas and electricity are highly publicised, and plants and factories will usually have processes in place to ensure the safety of those working with and around these utilities. However, the risks of compressed air are seemingly not so well known, and the same level of care is not always applied.
Not only is it important that factory and floor managers understand the risks, but this information needs to be communicated to those who use or have access to compressed air. Within an industrial setting, there will be many employees who will need to use this utility for some part of their work, so it is crucial to establish who they are, and to ensure they understand how to use compressed air correctly.
In addition, those with overall responsibility for compressed air should establish what it is being used for. There will be numerous legitimate uses, such as air tools, but we still hear of cases where it is being used to dust off machinery, work benches and even clothes.
While it may sound sensationalist, the improper use of compressed air can, albeit in extreme circumstances, cause fatalities. For example, it can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, and an air bubble could reach the heart and lungs which could result in death. It is for this reason that compressed air should not be pointed at anyone, and should not be used to dust off equipment or clothing.
There are also risks of injury that users need to take care to avoid. Compressed air travels at a phenomenal speed, and if it hits an ear or an eye it may lead to loss of hearing or blindness. These incidents can be easily avoided simply by taking care when using compressed air.
It is not just incorrect use that can pose a threat to the health and safety of employees. Undertaking regular servicing and necessary maintenance will also reduce risks. If a compressed air system is not looked after it could become dangerous – in very extreme cases a poorly maintained compressor could catch fire or a pressure containing vessel might even explode.
This is why written schemes of examinations are a legal requirement under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. The document contains a wide range of information, including the parts of the system that need to be examined; the nature of the examination required; the preparatory work needed and the maximum interval between examinations. Mattei has been working with customers to ensure they understand this legal requirement and do not fall foul of the £20,000 fine that can be imposed for not having this document.
Employers have a duty of care to their employees and therefore should provide training and guidelines on how to safely use compressed air. So, to protect their staff from injuries and the company from any potential liability, those with overall responsibility for the compressed air system will benefit from ensuring all employees understand the risks and comply with safety guidelines. As a member of BCAS, Mattei can offer advice on the type of industry-related courses that are available through the organisation.
When using compressed air, there will be limited risks if care is taken and everyone who uses compressed air is responsible, and thinks about the potential consequences of careless use. More articles from Mattei Compressors Ltd: | 
