Compressed Air Safety - Safety Talk

Compressed Air Safety
Page 1 of 9
© PA Services Group - SMARTsafe 2013 Document Number: ST056
Revision 2013 1.0
This pack contains:
• 6 - Page Talk Text
• 4 - OHP Presentation Slide Pack
Using the talks (Extract “How to Present Safety Talks”):
Plan which topic you want to discuss with your team.
Read through the script before you hold the meeting to
familiarise yourself with the material.
Start the talk with a comment that makes the topic relevant to
the team. For example, if you have seen a number of people
using ladders incorrectly, use this as your opening comment.
Follow the script but don’t read straight from the page. The
script is only a prompt and it will sound better if you use your
own words.
Ask the questions as they appear in the script. It is important
you do this because they are a lead in to the next section of
your talk.
Give the team enough time to answer the questions. Safety
talks can be boring for the team if you are the only one talking.
Hand out the information sheets as they appear in the script.
Don’t hand out all the information sheets at the start of the talk
otherwise there is a temptation for the team to read ahead and
not listen to the points you are making.
Collect the information sheets at the end of the talk so they
can be used again.
Safety Talk Mini - Delivery Pack
To obtain your full Safety Talk Delivery Pack go to: www.smartsafe.com.au
The full Safety Talk pack contains MS Office
Editable documents :
• 6 - Page Talk Text
• 4 - OHP Presentation Slide Pack
• 8 - A5 talk Handout Sheets
• Assessment and Assessment Answers Sheet
• Employee Attendance Register
• A “How to Present Safety Talks Guide”
SAFETY AWARENESS KEPT SIMPLE
SMARTsafe Safety Talks – ST056

Page 4 of 9
Revision 2013 1.0
THE HAZARDS OF COMPRESSED AIR
Compressed air is usually supplied in the workplace at a pressure of 700 kilopascals. For use with
compressed air tools this is usually around 650kpa which is about 3 1/2 times the air pressure in a fully
inflated car tyre.
Many people do not understand how dangerous compressed air can be.
“What types of injuries do you think can be caused by misusing
compressed air?”
Hand out sheet 1 – Injuries from Compressed Air
Air that is compressed and at pressure is dangerous and improper use can cause injury and death. The
types of injuries you can receive from compressed air include:
the loss of an eye from being struck by a blast of compressed air of 200 Kpa or more;
ruptured ear drums from compressed air blasting into the ear canal;
puncture wounds from foreign substances blown into the eyes, ears and face;
fractures and bruises from unrestrained air hoses whipping about;
noise induced hearing loss from high pressure air blasting at high speed onto hard surfaces; and
ruptured internal organs.
A more serious problem occurs if compressed air enters the bloodstream via cuts or wounds in
the skin. If this occurs, air bubbles form in the bloodstream resulting in a slow and agonising
death over several hours.
All of these injuries, and potential fatalities, can be easily prevented if you follow some basic safety
practices when working with compressed air.
COMPRESSED AIR HOSES AND COUPLINGS
Flexible and ply wrapped hoses are used to connect air driven tools to the compressed air main supply
pipes.
The flexible nature of the hoses allows air driven tools to be used in much the same way as an extension
cord allows portable electrical equipment to be used.
Most compressed air injuries result from using compressed air hoses incorrectly or using defective air
hoses.
“Before using a compressed air hose, what types of faults
should you look for?”
This document is a partial preview. Full document download can be found on Flevy:
http://flevy.com/browse/document/compressed-air-safety-safety-talk-477

Page 7 of 9
Revision 2013 1.0
UNSAFE PRACTICES TO AVOID
Besides what we have covered so far today, there are several other unsafe practices associated with
compressed air that you must avoid at all times.
“What are some of the unsafe things that you have seen people
do with compressed air?”
Hand out sheet 4 – Unsafe Practices to Avoid
Never use compressed air to clean your hair or clothes. Directing compressed air towards yourself
and onto your body can easily lead to the loss of an eye, a ruptured eardrum or worse still, a painful
death.
Never direct compressed air towards another person. If compressed air can seriously injure or kill
you, then other people face the same risk if blasted with compressed air.
Never blow down a bench or machine tool with compressed air – use a brush. Compressed air can
blow metal filings and chips up to 10 metres away, into the face and eyes of other people.
Avoid using compressed air to clean down floors because the dust it generates can reduce visibility
and make it difficult for others to breathe. Use a broom or hose the floor down with water.
Avoid driving over compressed air hoses with vehicles or heavy equipment because this can
rupture or cut the hose.
Never attempt to “catch” a hose if it separates from a connection - go to the supply valve and turn
off the compressed air.
If compressed air has to be used to clean down equipment outside, make sure all approaches to the
equipment are barricaded off to warn people of the hazard.

Compressed Air Safety – ST056 © PA Services Group - SMARTsafe 2013
SMARTsafe Safety Talks – ST056
SAFETY AWARENESS KEPT SIMPLE

Compressed Air Safety – ST056 © PA Services Group - SMARTsafe 2013
• Use an oil bottle with
compressed air tools.
• Purge the air hose with air to
remove any liquids.
• Open the compressed air valve
slowly.
• Wear goggles or a face-shield,
• gloves and hearing protection.
• Fit all hose couplings with safety
clips.
Sheet 3 – Setting up and using Compressed Air Tools

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