Transcript
Pneumatic General safety guidelines Compressed air can be dangerous unless precautions are taken. These are mostly common sense, but nonetheless worth listing. In a place where compressed air is used. Consideration should be given to placing these or similar guidelines in a prominent place. •
Only pressure vessels built to a national or international standard should be used for air receivers.
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Do not weld or in anyway modify any pressure vessel.
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It is essential that a check valve and shut-off valve are fitted in the delivery line when the compressor is to be coupled in parallel with another compressor or connected to an existing air supply system; in such cases a safety valve must be provided upstream of the valve, unless one is already fitted on the compressor.
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Do not use frayed, damaged or deteriorated hoses; always store hoses properly and away from heat sources or direct sunlight; a hose failure can cause serious injury.
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Use only the correct type and size of hose end fittings and connections; use heavy duty clamps especially made for compressed air systems.
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Use eye protection; if using compressed air for cleaning down equipment, do so with extreme caution take care not to blow dirt at people or into machinery.
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When blowing through a hose or air line, ensure that the open end is held securely; a free end will whip and can cause injury; open the supply air cock carefully and ensure that any ejected particles will be restrained; a blocked hose can become a compressed air gun.
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Never apply compressed air to the skin or direct it at a person; even air at pressure of 15 psi (1 bar) can cause serious injury; never use a compressed air hose to clean dirt from your clothing.
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Do not use air directly from a compressor for breathing purposes, for example charging air cylinders, unless the system has been specifically designed for such purpose and suitable breathing air filters and regulators are in place.
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Check hoses and couplings daily before use. Use only hoses designed to handle compressed air. Provide all hose couplings with a positive locking device. Secure Chicago-type fittings together with wire or clips.
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Never crimp, couple, or uncouple pressurized hose. Shut off valves and bleed down pressure.
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When using compressed air for cleaning purposes, ensure pressure does not exceed 30 psi. Use goggles or a face shield over approved safety glasses for this application. Do not use compressed air to clean dust or debris off your body.
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Make sure all hoses exceeding 1/2 inch ID have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce the pressure in case of hose failure.
Precautions during start-up and Servicing: •
Use standard lock-out/tag-out procedures to disable machinery & equipment as well as prevent the release of potential energy while maintenance and servicing are being performed.
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Ensure that a machine can not be started inadvertently; place a warning notice at the lock-out.
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Isolating valves should be of the self venting type and designed to be locking in the “off” position so that air pressure cannot be applied inadvertently while the machine is being worked on.
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Exposure to excessive noise can damage hearing. Wear ear protection.
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Noise reducing mufflers can be fitted to machines to lessen the noise health hazard.
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A concentration of oil mist in the air from system lubricators can be hazardous.
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If an isolating or check valve is fitted in the compressor discharge, it is essential to check that an adequate safety valve is in place between this isolating vale and the compressor and that the isolating valve is open.
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Establish a procedure to follow before restarting the equipment.
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Before starting any machinery, all protective guards should be in position and be secure.
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On the initial start, the direction of rotation of an compressor must be checked; severe damage may be caused if the compressor is allowed to run in the wrong direction.
SAFETY IS EVERYBODY’S BUISINESS!
