Vulnerability and danger come with everything, be it an air compressor or any tool you use. If it is not used and taken care of properly, it will leave you in hazardous conditions. An air compressor is a combination of the electrical yet mechanical device having multiple damages if anything goes opposite, whether it’s your fault or an electrical inconvenience.
When operating with air compressors and other powerful machines, it’s important to have safety measures in place. Concerning that, care must be taken, but how can you go further without knowing what these dangers are? Are air compressors really dangerous or not?
If yes, what are these dangers, and how can we get help with them? This is all that we will discuss today. Better let’s move ahead with the topic.
Contents
Are air compressors dangerous? And What makes them dangerous?
Yes, air compressors are dangerous and they have the risk of causing serious bodily harm if it is mishandled or utilized carelessly. The workplace can be dangerous due to the presence of compressor machines, hoses, pneumatic tools, and electrical connections.
Accidents involving air compressors could be harmful to both humans and industrial equipment. In order to avoid these risks, it is important to learn how to operate an air compressor safely. Read on to learn about the risks of running an air compressor and the steps you can take to lessen them.
6 Dangers of Air Compressors and how to prevent them
1. Poor Installation
The first thing has to be the poor installation that technicians or beginners do, even though there is always a user guide available. If you buy a compressor for personal use, follow the manufacturer’s psi and maintenance standards.
Technicians must follow strict rules when putting in compressors; if they make a mistake, it could cause a leak or eruption. Also, you must check the air compressor tank’s drainage valves, the compressor’s psi production, and the engine’s oil availability.
2. Poor lubrication
Using an air compressor without knowing enough about it is dangerous. Being an owner, you have to take care of almost everything attached and within the air compressor to keep it functioning properly. Lubrication is one of many things you must do regularly, as it is key to avoiding friction.
Moreover, if there is friction in the air compressor, it will increase the inside temperature, and as a result, oil accumulation will take place. So, you must replace oil if you think you can’t do it or don’t have enough time to do so. Then you should go for an oil-free air compressor.
3. Poor connections
When pressurized hoses become loose from their connections or other gear, they can start whipping. In this case, a person standing too close to a hose that is being whipped can suffer broken ribs, bruising, and cuts and bruises. On every hose connection, you should put quality coupled pins to ensure that nobody gets hurt.
4. Excessive Noise
Not to be fooled by the noise of your air compressor; there are multiple compressors that produce a great amount of noise. But an excessive amount of noise can be dangerous in so many ways. It includes loosening body parts, the vibration of the compressor, dirty pistons, and much more.
If your air compressor is vibrating excessively, you must check all the bolts and belts and if you feel that it is loosened, always make sure to tighten it.
5. Leakage Issues
Another problem that usually happens with an air compressor is leaks. But how to find out the leaks? Here is the way, right after filling the tank with air, turning off the compressor and observing a drop in pressure will show you an air leak.
But the good news is that cracks can be quickly repaired. The most common cause of air leakage is a slightly open valve. Also, it is an alarming situation for the health of you and your air compressor as it can leave you in life-threatening conditions such as an explosion.
6. Overheating
Overheating of the air compressor is one of the most predominant reasons for damage and danger, even in compressors that would otherwise be expected to last for many more years. But why does the compressor get too hot?
There might be both inside and environmental causes for an overheated air compressor. Excess discharge pressure from clogs, overcharging, etc., is a common cause of overheating in air compressors. Ventilation is yet another factor to consider in relation to the air temp around an air compressor.
Safety Tips for Air Compressor Use
- Plan regular maintenance with your compressed air supplier and install technologies to notify you when service is needed.
- The maximum operating pressure of the compressor should be matched by the piping, hoses, and fittings.
- The employees need to have the ability to immediately shut off the air supply in the scenario that something goes wrong.
- Every employee should receive training on how to properly use safety equipment so that there are fewer mistakes and damages in the workplace.
- It is important that the instructions for the compressor be clearly displayed for everyone to see.
- When working with compressed air, one should always wear adequate protective gear, including safety goggles, ear protection, and any additional gear deemed necessary.
- To facilitate care and control, compressors should be positioned in a place that is open to the public and offers convenient access.
- Check to see that any moving parts, including steam turbines, belts, and rollers, have adequate protection from potential injury.
- Air circulation is important because the air you breathe while at work may contain contaminants that are harmful to your health.
- Ensure that all the valves are tightly closed because there are great chances for air to escape through them.
Final words:
Air compressors are the safest and most dangerous equipment at the same time, depending on the usage and maintenance given by the owner. Using air compressors improperly or without safety measures has the same risks as doing so with other energy sources.
In this article, we have talked about your question and have given you the best solutions and answers. I hope you had a good read!
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