Safety Spotlight

How dangerous can it be? It's just air... right?

It sounds innocent enough: You get some dirt on your arm or clothing and you figure, “I can blow that off easily with some
compressed air.” BAD IDEA! The fact is that compressed air can be VERY dangerous. Even at a low pressure of 12 psi,
compressed air could take out an eye or break through skin. If the air enters your bloodstream and travels to your brain or
heart, it could cause stroke or heart attack-like symptoms. NEVER use compressed air to clean dirt or dust from your body
or your clothing.

Here are some more safety tips to consider when using compressed air:
Team members may be tempted to use compressed air for dusting and cleaning, but at high pressure, this can be
dangerous. Use compressed air at 30 psi or less and with goggles, a face shield or safety glasses.
If using compressed air to inflate tires, make sure a tire gauge is used. If not, it’s easy to overfill, which can lead to
explosions.
Hoses are best stored on a hose reel or hook keeping them off the ground. This prevents tripping hazards and
extends the life of the hoses.
Check for damaged hoses. Damage can lead to air leaking or a hose exploding, which can cause serious injuries.
Bleed pressure and shutoff valves before making hose connections. Never connect or disconnect a pressurized hose.
OSHA requires that you use fittings and clamping devices designed for the pressures you expect to encounter. An air
hose that has come loose from the fitting can whip around and create a serious hazard.
The shutoff valve should be easy to reach and accessible in case of an emergency. DO NOT BLOCK YOUR
COMPRESSOR.
NO HORSEPLAY! It might seem like a fun game to blow air at a colleague, but it can have tragic consequences.

Click on the image below to watch a video on compressed air safety.

Click HERE to be directed to the EHS Home Page. There, you can access resources such as contact information, Safety Spotlights, Training Matrixes,
and more. Have questions about this Safety Spotlight? Contact us! Risk Management/EHS Department: (602) 263-6811 or email: ehs@uhaul.com

The information contained herein is the confidential and proprietary information of U-Haul International, Inc.