Description
AIR BLOW GUN SAFETY ATTACHMENT
This booster nozzle in addition to your blow gun increases the air volume while still allowing air to escape if the nozzle is “dead ended”.
Many workplace injuries have occurred because of the misuse of compressed air. Horseplay with the hose, however innocent it may start, can end with the most disastrous consequences. It may be amusing to direct a jet of air at another person but it can actually cause severe internal injury that could even result in death.
At present there appears to be no E.U. legislative requirements that govern the specific use of blow guns nor does there appear to be any restrictions on the type that can be used. Below is a non-exhaustive example that should be considered. (If in doubt, consult The Health & Safety Authority.) Health & Safety at work requires the employer or establishment to ensure the safety of the employees or users.
RECOMMENDATION
Blow guns are worthy of consideration in relation to their safe use but there appears to be confusion as to how
safety should be applied and whether there are any legal requirements for this type of equipment. The only guidelines that we can find for the safest use of blow guns for cleaning clothes or shoes comes from the U.S.A.:
Ideally, “For safety, a tamper-proof pre-set regulator set at 2 BAR (30 PSI)” is a value which has been long recommended
by the American OSHA body. Since most businesses in Ireland tend to operate with compressed air set between 5 & 10 bar to supply their blow guns then the blow gun should have the following characteristics;
You should fit this Safety Booster Nozzle with Venturi holes to each blow gun because this addition to your blow gun
increases the air volume while still allowing air to escape if the nozzle is ‘dead ended’ i.e. if someone accidentally places the blow gun directly onto skin. This safety nozzle will ensure the maximum pressure reaching the skin from a 10 bar supply source is reduced to less than 1.4 bar (20 psi). *
HAZARDS
Dust particles, wood chips, shavings, particles of metal, etc. can sometimes be thrown up when compressed air is used
for cleaning purposes. The pressure necessary to remove the particles from machines and surfaces is also strong enough to blow them into the eyes, ears or skin of people nearby. Under these circumstances it is advisable for all concerned to wear eye protection. The greatest danger in dusting one’s clothes down lies in accidental internal injury to the body. Compressed air can enter various parts of the body (i.e. eyes, ears, nose, rectum or any scratch or puncture in the skin, however small) and can cause the affected part to swell to alarming proportions accompanied by severe pain.
As we have already stated, Regulations from the EU regarding blow guns are obscure and unclear but it is worth stressing that, if you have carefully read the above, you should have sufficient knowledge on how to instruct your employees, colleagues or users on their safety. If in doubt please consult the Health & Safety Authority.
* In-house tests carried out in Compressed Air Centre Ltd., Drogheda, using pressure gauges.
