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Ensuring Air Compressor Safety

There are a number of different ways to build an in-ground swimming pool. One method is to dig the hole and then use gunnite for the floor and walls.

What is gunnite? Gunnite is a mortar conveyed through a hose and pneumatically propelled at high velocity onto a surface. Unlike conventional concrete, which is first placed then compacted in a second operation, gunnite undergoes placement and compaction at the same time due to the force with which it is projected from the nozzle. Because of this it is more dense, homogeneous, strong and waterproof then any other process.

Several years ago while constructing a gunnite pool, the foreman of a crew was observing one of his employees as he sprayed gunnite onto the wall of the pool. The pool under construction was right next to the owner’s home. Fearful that the operator might spray the house, the foreman got into the pool and took over the spraying operation. T

he air compressor supplying the air had been rented from a local rental company. The foreman did not have on a hard hat or safety glasses. Approximately one minute after taking the nozzle, the air hose disconnected from the fitting. This caused the air hose to whip and hit the foreman in the head and eye. Although he was not knocked unconscious, he received severe damage to his eye. How could this accident have been prevented? The foreman should have been wearing safety glasses and a hard hat which is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation.

The Air King coupling used on the hose comes with safety pins that prevent accidental disconnection of the fitting. The safety clamps were not used. A whip check safety cable connecting the hose to the tool would have prevented the hose from whipping, also an OSHA regulation. The 3/4-inch air hose had only one band clamp holding the fitting in the hose and two are recommended. All of the above should be standard for anyone using an air compressor.

The link here gives details of another incident where the use of a whip check or King Cable Safety Device could have prevented an accident.

www.stepsnetwork.com/incident_safety_alerts/.../Hose%20Fatality.pdf

Dixon have a range of whip checks in the Hose and Coupling Catalogue. Click here to go directly to the correct page 

Last changed: Jul 10 2009 at 11:27 AM