The Dangers of Cleaning With Compressed Air - VMAC

Compressed air is powerful and can be dangerous—even deadly—when misused. Air compressors aren’t designed for cleaning, but it’s still common practice to clean the dust and debris from filters, machinery, workshop surfaces, clothes, and so forth using compressed air. To help you understand why you shouldn’t clean with compressed air, we’ll break down the most common risks of cleaning with compressor air. 

Dangerous Projectiles Caused By Compressed Air

Compressed air, especially from commercial air compressors, can exert extremely high forces that turn small particles, nuts, bolts, washers, and other bits into high-velocity projectiles. These objects become shrapnel and can cause severe damage if they hit someone. Even dust and dirt will cause skin abrasions when there is sufficient force behind them—it’s just like sandblasting.

But even without projectile objects, compressed air can cause serious damage on its own.

How Compressed Air Damages The Human Body

When compressed air enters or contacts your body, you put yourself at risk of significant health complications. Here are a few examples of the dangers of compressed air:

• Compressed air accidentally blown into the mouth can rupture the lungs, stomach, or intestines
• The high-decibel sound of compressed air blown in or near the ears can cause permanent hearing loss
• Compressed air can enter the navel, even through a layer of clothing, and inflate and rupture the intestines
• Compressed air can enter the bloodstream, and death is possible if it makes its way to blood vessels in the brain
• As little as 12 pounds of compressed air pressure can blow an eye out of its socket.

Anyone familiar with compressed air used for scuba diving also knows about the potential for air embolisms. Embolisms are a condition in which air bubbles enter the bloodstream and block blood vessels or arteries, with the potential to cause paralysis, induce a coma, or even cause death.

While incorrect diving procedures are the most common cause of air embolisms, there is also a risk of an embolism when compressed air is misused at high pressures. Although unlikely, high-pressure air can be forced into the bloodstream through cuts and abrasions. It is improbable, but why even take the risk?

All the health risks outlined above are easily preventable: don’t use compressed air to clean.

Is It Illegal To Clean With Compressed Air?

Some laws in Canada and the United States govern the use of compressed air and, in many cases, it is illegal to clean with compressed air.

In the United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace safety. Compressed air use is governed by standard 1910.242.b, which states, “Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 psi (206 kPa) and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.”

In Canada, cleaning with compressed air is not allowed by law, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island have specific laws that state compressed air must not be used to clean clothes, people, machinery, work benches, and so forth

Federal regulations in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon ban cleaning with air due to the risk to workers, although there is some provision for using low noise emitting nozzles with pressures below 10 psi (70 kPa).

Other legislation may be applicable in some states, provinces, and countries, so you should always check your local jurisdiction for relevant information. When in doubt, use common sense, and do not use compressed air for cleaning!

Safe Practices For Cleaning With Compressed Air

1. Inspect the air compressor and hoses before use to ensure there is no damage or wear and tear.
2. Turn down the pressure on your air compressor to 30 psi less to reduce the risk of injury.
3. Use a nozzle that reduces pressure to 10 psi or less and is rated for low noise emission. These nozzles, sometimes sold as "safety air nozzles," will help keep the air under control.
4. Use effective guarding to protect yourself and those around you from chips and other debris that can blowback. An extension tube can also provide more space between you and the object being cleaned.
5. Wear the appropriate PPE, which includes safety goggles, gloves, a respirator mask, and hearing protection. Long-sleeve pants and shirts are also a good idea.
6. Never point the air nozzle at yourself or anyone else. Similarly, do not clean the clothes you are wearing with compressed air.

Check out this fact sheet from Oregon OSHA to learn more about cleaning safely with compressed air.