Meeting OSHA Standards for Dedusting and Clean-down Operations

The intended purpose of the JetBlack Safety Cleaning Station is to give companies a safer and effective alternative to compressed air for dedusting and clean down of their workwear and PPE equipment.

For too long, employees have used compressed air guns/nozzles to carry out this basic hygiene function, but as safety awareness and legislation have improved, the full dangers of compressed air are now known, and employers are doing what they can to avoid any unnecessary use of it.

The Cleaning Station offers employers peace of mind as any dangers posed by compressed air are immediately removed. But is it OSHA compliant, and if it is, how does it achieve this?

1. Meeting OSHA Standard for Output Pressure

Factory compressed air systems typically run at pressures between 80 and 120PSI (pounds per square inch). Pneumatic tools require these high pressures to operate effectively, which also applies to safety air guns.

Current OSHA regulations require that if the tip of any compressed air safety gun is ‘dead-ended’, the static pressure at the point of the blockage, must be reduced to less than 30PSI.

However, this still doesn’t make it safe for employees to use to clean clothing and/or themselves with an air nozzle/gun. Pressures as low as 5 - 10 psi have been known to cause serious injury. The Federal OSHA regulation pertains only to the cleaning of parts or objects, not people. OSHA clarified in an interpretation letter from January 1994 that compressed air should not be used by workers for cleaning themselves or their clothing in general industry situations.

JetBlack Safety’s Cleaning Station operates at the incredibly low pressure of 2.52PSI/70In.Swg. It achieves its performance due to the airflow’s high-velocity air, which presents no imminent danger to operators, even when in direct contact with human skin.

OSHA Compliance

JetBlack Safety Cleaning Stations meet OSHA Standards:

  • Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general (29CFR Part 1910.242 (b)
  • Reduction of Air Pressure below 30psa for cleaning purposes (OSHA Instruction STD 01 - 13 - 001)

2. Meeting OSHA Standard for Noise

To address excessive noise in the workplace, OSHA has developed permissible daily noise exposure specifications. Since compressed air guns/nozzles can potentially contribute to high levels of occupational noise, our blower - driven Cleaning Station helps companies move towards noise level compliance as its operating noise level is below 78dB(A).

Please note – we still recommend that ear protection is worn when operating a Cleaning Station.

OSHA Compliance

JetBlack Safety Cleaning Stations meet OSHA Standards:

  • Occupational noise exposure (29CFR Part 1919.95)

Meeting OSHA Standard for Chip guarding

When cleaning down in close quarters with compressed air, workers are frequently subject to ‘chip fly - back’. This is a term that refers to the tendency of loose particles, or chips, to fly back into the operator’s face, eyes or skin.

For such operations, OSHA requires that ‘effective chip guarding’ is incorporated into the workplace.

All JetBlack Safety models are fitted with chip guarding as standard.

OSHA Compliance

JetBlack Safety Cleaning Stations meet OSHA Standards

  • Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general (29CFR Part 1910.242 (b))
  • OSHA program directive, reduction of air pressure below 30PSI for cleaning purposes (OSHA Instruction STD 01 - 13 - 001)

In Summary

The Cleaning Station is a safer and more effective tool than compressed air systems, for personnel clean down and de-dusting operations and it is particularly useful in industrial environments. Compressed air always has the potential to be extremely dangerous, so companies should always try and minimize its use.

When compared to compressed air, the Cleaning Station:

  • Produces high volume, low-pressure air (2.52PSI/70In.Swg) which poses no threat to personal safety.
  • Has lower noise emissions. With levels below 78 dB(A) the Cleaning Station is typically quieter than most compressed air nozzle arrangements.
  • Is cost-effective. Blower powered air produced by the Cleaning Station typically costs less than 10% Motor power – 1400 watts.

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