| There are two concerns in safety when using | | | | pressures. The consequences of even a small |
| compressed air. (Flying objects and the air itself) | | | | quantity of air or other gas in the blood can |
| Horseplay has been a cause of some serious | | | | quickly be fatal. |
| workplace accidents caused by individuals not | | | | Although many people know using compressed air |
| aware of the hazards of compressed air. Some | | | | to clean debris or clothes can be hazardous, it is |
| television shows have shown bad examples on | | | | still used because of old habits and the easy |
| the use of compressed air. | | | | availability of compressed air in many workplaces. |
| Compressed air is extremely forceful. Depending | | | | Cleaning objects, machinery, bench tops, clothing |
| on its pressure, compressed air can dislodge | | | | and other things with compressed air is |
| particles. These particles are a danger since they | | | | dangerous. Injuries can be caused by the air jet |
| can enter your eyes or possibly the skin. The | | | | and by particles made airborne. |
| potential damage would depend on the size, | | | | When compressed air cleaning is unavoidable, |
| weight, shape, composition, and speed of the | | | | hazards can be reduced. Use the lowest air |
| particles. There have also been reports of hearing | | | | pressure that is still effective to handle the task. |
| damage caused by the pressure of compressed | | | | A "quiet" nozzle should be selected. Personal |
| air and by its sound caused by the nozzle. | | | | protection equipment must be worn to protect |
| Compressed air itself is also a serious hazard. On | | | | the worker's body, especially the eyes, against |
| rare occasions, some of the compressed air can | | | | particles and dust under pressure. Air guns should |
| enter the blood stream through a break in the | | | | also be used with some local exhaust ventilation |
| skin or through a body opening. An air bubble in | | | | or facilities to control the generation of airborne |
| the blood stream is known medically as an | | | | particulates. The use of chip guards can deflect |
| embolism, a dangerous medical condition in which | | | | flying dust or debris, extension tubes will give the |
| a blood vessel is blocked, in this case, by an air | | | | worker a safer working distance, or even air guns |
| bubble. An embolism of an artery can cause | | | | equipped with injection exhausts and particle |
| coma, paralysis or death. While air embolisms are | | | | collection bags are other options to consider in |
| usually associated with incorrect diving procedures, | | | | compressed air safety. |
| they are possible with compressed air due to high | | | | |