Compressed Air Gun Safety: Hazards & Prevention

Compressed air guns are a common tool in many shops and can present a number of safety hazards. Using them appropriately and wearing the right protective gear can help prevent accidents from occurring.

Hazards

• The compressed air comes out of the gun at an average range of 80 to 120 pounds per square inch. When used to clean off surfaces in a shop, debris can become airborne and strike a worker. If the gun gets too close to the skin, the air can get into the bloodstream through a cut in its surface. This can cause air bubbles in the blood or cause damage to organ if the gun is near the ear or nose.

Prevention

• To prevent too much air pressure from causing injury, the gun's pressure should be set at 30 pounds per square inch, or psi. Another prevention method is to add a safety tip to the gun's nozzle. This tip helps to reduce the amount of pressure right at the nozzle, protecting the worker.

Other Considerations

• Wearing safety glasses can help to protect the worker against flying debris. This is especially important when working in a small space where fragments can bounce back easily. The worker can also use a face shield to give more protection to the face.