Use compressed air safely and minimise hazards

Compressed air is used in many industries and for different purposes, because working with compressed air is efficient. Thanks to the many small and large compressors, compressed air is available practically everywhere and at all times. Compressed air is an air flow with high pressure and high velocity. Consequently, there are dangers for people and machines that are repeatedly paid too little attention to. Dangers when working with compressed air can arise from noise, misuse or uncontrolled discharge of the compressed air.

These risks from compressed air can be minimised by safety components and safety-related products. A few measures can achieve a lot. Today's focus is on three topics: blowguns, safety couplings and hose rupture safety devices.

1. Blowguns and air tools

No assembly department or workshop can be imagined without blowguns and compressed air tools. Important rules of conduct apply when using tools operated with compressed air:

 

  • Users and third parties should wear well-fitting protective goggles against eye injuries.
  • Use ear protection: When blowing out blind holes, blowing on edges or using pneumatic tools, noise is generated that is hazardous to hearing.
  • Never clean body parts or clothes on the body with compressed air. Use electric or compressed air hoovers designed for this purpose.
  • Wear suitable gloves if small parts have to be held in the hand when blowing off.
  • Only use safety blowguns that limit the pressure to max. 3.5 bar when closing the outlet opening..
  • The maximum pressure of air tools and blow guns can also be limited with fixed pressure regulators. Three pressure reducing valves from our range are suitable for this purpose: on the one hand the fixed SaveAir® pressure regulator for air, then the fixed New CartReg® mini pressure reducing valve for pneumatic tools and finally the ToolReg® pressure reducing valve for pneumatic tools.

2. Safety couplings

When connecting or disconnecting a compressed air line, there is a risk of injury from kickback and noise. This danger can be eliminated with safety couplings. These are considered to be:

 

  • Compressed air couplings where the connection hose can only be removed when it is depressurised.
  • Compressed air couplings where the compressed air supply is automatically interrupted by the uncoupling and the connection hose is vented. The coupling must not release the connecting hose until the pressure in the hose has dropped to a non-hazardous level.
  • Compressed air couplings that can only be removed by pressing the plug nipple forcefully into the coupling. When uncoupling between two hoses, the force must be so great that the coupling and the plug nipple must be held firmly.

3. Hose rupture safety devices

In the event of a line rupture, noise or whipping hoses can cause accidents with serious injuries. The reasons for hose rupture are often incorrectly selected or incorrectly fitted fittings, material fatigue or radii that are too tight.

Accidents caused by whipping compressed air lines are prevented with hose rupture safety devices that monitor the lines and shut off the compressed air supply in the event of a line rupture. The increased flow difference triggers the hose rupture safety device and the flow of the supply line is immediately reduced. As soon as the hose rupture protection is activated, the reset function allows a minimum flow. Our HoseGuard® hose rupture protection is available in many line sizes.

Use compressed air safely and minimise hazards from handling compressed air. Minimise the risks with the safety components and safety-related products from the TRI-MATIC range. Contact us at +41 41 780 22 22 or info@tri-matic.ch.