Every shift at the factory ended with the same ritual.
Guys who were covered in eight hours worth of tiny plastic shavings would grab the compressed air nozzle and give themselves a quick air shower. It only took about thirty seconds for the pressurized air to blow most of that debris off their skin, their clothes, and out of their hair.
It was fast and convenient. The air hose was right there – half the work stations had one.
None of us thought twice about it.
Turns out, that’s exactly what we should’ve done. Because cleaning with compressed air might seem harmless, but it’s actually a safety risk. And aiming the nozzle directly at yourself is especially dangerous.
In this article, we’ll go over why that is, why you shouldn’t clean with compressed air, and the few exceptions when it’s permissible to do so.
The Risks of Cleaning with Compressed Air
The dangers of cleaning with compressed air come in two categories: creating airborne hazards and causing direct harm to the body.
Let’s go over each of them separately.
Airborne Debris
Countless workers have used compressed air to clear off their workstations, blow debris out of tools and machinery, or clear away piles of sawdust.
It’s a quick and easy way to blow dirt, dust, and other particles out of the way. But that debris doesn’t disappear – it goes airborne. And when it does, it becomes hazardous.
First, airborne particles can then be inhaled. Breathing in dusts and other small materials can harm the lungs and, over time, result in chronic respiratory conditions or lung cancer.
Flying debris can also cause serious eye injuries. Compressed air is released with a heavy amount of force, which can propel small shreds and chips of material at a high velocity. These particles shooting through the air might not damage the skin (though they certainly can), but they will be more than capable of causing damage to the eyes.
Cleaning surfaces with compressed air can also leave a large amount of dust suspended in the work environment. In sufficient quantities, this can create a combustible dust hazard that could result in a fire or explosion if it comes into contact with an ignition source.
Bodily Injury
As dangerous as it is to send dust and debris flying every which way, aiming compressed air directly at your body (or someone else’s) is even worse.
Getting a blast of compressed air into the eye can be enough to cause a serious ocular injury. Likewise, air that is blown into the ear at sufficient pressure can rupture the eardrum. And blowing compressed air into the mouth can damage the lungs.
Then there’s the risk of creating an embolism. That happens when compressed air makes its way into the blood stream (through an open wound, for instance) and creates an air bubble. It’s a rare occurrence, but it’s one that can be fatal so it’s best to take every measure you can to prevent it.
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What Does OSHA Say About Cleaning with Compressed Air?
OSHA’s standard for pneumatic tools has a short and succinct section on cleaning with compressed air. Section 1926.302(b)(4) states:
“Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment which meets the requirements of subpart E of this part. The 30 p.s.i. requirement does not apply for concrete form, mill scale and similar cleaning purposes.”
There are really three points here:
- Using compressed air to clean is permissible if the air pressure is lower than 30 PSI
- Exceeding that pressure limit is permissible for certain cleaning tasks
- A chip guard and PPE are needed whenever compressed air is used for cleaning
Despite all the risks, then, it’s not a knock-down ban on cleaning with compressed air. You’re still allowed to do it, provided you have the right precautions in place.
Chip Guarding
First, let’s talk about the protection you’ll need even if you keep the air pressure under 30 PSI.
You’ll need a chip guard, which is an attachment that fits on a compressed air nozzle and acts as a shield to limit how many chips and particles are blown back at the user. It can also be a separate barrier, like a plastic panel, that isn’t attached to the nozzle. As long as it stands between the user and the debris that’s being blown around, that’s what counts.
Personal Protective Equipment
Now for the PPE, think back to the risks outlined above. Anyone cleaning with compressed air will need to wear safety gear that protects against all of them. At a minimum, this will include:
- Safety Glasses or Goggles: While safety glasses can provide a good amount of protection from debris, goggles are preferable because they leave no opening for any chips, shavings, or particles to enter.
- Earplugs or Earmuffs: Compressed air blowing into your ear canals is dangerous, so make sure you seal them up with earplugs or earmuff style hearing protectors. These will do double duty, since compressed air can also be loud enough to cause hearing damage.
- Dust Mask or Respirator: To prevent the inhalation of dust and particles, be sure to protect your breathing zone. A simple dust mask should be sufficient.
When Can You Exceed the 30 PSI Limit?
OSHA has carved out an exception to the 30 PSI limit for compressed air cleaning. They mention two specific applications (concrete form and mill scale) but also “similar cleaning purposes.”
This is rather vague. Thankfully, a letter of interpretation from Oct. 4, 2000 provides a bit more clarity. It states that high pressure (over 30 PSI) compressed air cannot be used simply because it would make cleaning more efficient. It can, however, be allowed for “removing a tightly adhering residue” that is very difficult to clean off without turning up the pressure.
Unfortunately, they stop short of providing a more comprehensive list of these tightly adhering residues. If you’re dealing with concrete form or mill scale, you can go ahead and crank it up past the 30 PSI mark (provided you’re using chip guards and adequate PPE). But for other residue you want to blast away, it’s a good idea to consult OSHA first.
Don’t Take Risks Just So You Can Take a Shortcut
Cleaning with compressed air can be tempting. It’s fast. It’s easy. And in all honesty, it can be rather satisfying.
But it also comes with serious risks, so it’s simply not worth it.
It’s up to individual employers and employees to decide whether they still want to use compressed air when cleaning, provided they keep the pressure levels sufficiently low. In many cases, however, it’s just as convenient (if not more so) to vacuum or sweep up the debris rather than blowing it away.
If you do decide to clean with compressed air, make sure all the right PPE is on hand and the chip guards are in place. And never, ever aim the nozzle at yourself, your clothing, or someone else.
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