Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Portable Power Tools Chapter 296-807, WAC

Effective Date: 08/01/03

Compressed Air Tools WAC 296-807-140

For printing

Your responsibility:

Make sure compressed air and compressed air tools are used safely

This section applies to portable, hand-held compressed air powered tools. It also applies to airhose and plastic pipe used to supply compressed air to these tools.

You must

GENERAL TOOL REQUIREMENTS

Follow the manufacturer's instructions	WAC 296-807-14005
Prevent air tools from ejecting attachments	WAC 296-807-14010

CONTACT WITH COMPRESSED AIR

Protect employees from contact with compressed air

WAC 296-807-14015

CLEANING

Make sure safeguards are used when cleaning with compressed air

WAC 296-807-14020

AIRHOSE AND PLASTIC PIPE

Make sure airhose and plastic pipe supplying compressed air to portable air tools are safe

WAC 296-807-14025

 

TOOL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Make sure air tools are adequately designed and constructed

WAC 296-807-14030

TOOL USE

Use air tools safely

WAC 296-807-14035

 

FASTENER DRIVING TOOLS

Make sure fastener driving air tools (nailers and staplers) are safe

WAC 296-807-14040

 

GENERAL TOOL REQUIREMENTS

WAC 296-807-14005

Follow the manufacturer's instructions

You must

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe use of the tool.
  

WAC 296-807-14010

Prevent air tools from ejecting attachments

You must

• Make sure the tool can't accidentally eject an attachment.

Note: A retainer is needed if the tool doesn't have a positive method of keeping the attachment in the tool.

CONTACT WITH COMPRESSED AIR

WAC 296-807-14015

Protect employees from contact with compressed air

You must

• Make sure a tool nozzle or an airhose opening isn't:

  – Pointed at anyone

  – Allowed to contact a person's body.

CLEANING

WAC 296-807-14020

Make sure safeguards are used when cleaning with compressed air

You must

• Use the following when cleaning with compressed air:

  – Air pressure that has been reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. static pressure at the nozzle

  – Effective chip guarding.

Note: You may use air pressure greater than 30 p.s.i. if you use a nozzle with vents, holes, flaps or slots that will direct the air flow away from the tip of the nozzle and will reduce the air flow to less than 30 p.s.i if the nozzle becomes blocked. Effective chip guarding means any method or equipment that protects the eyes and skin of the cleaner and other workers from flying chips or particles. Examples include: – A protective cone around the nozzle to protect the cleaner – Barriers, baffles or screens to protect other workers.

Reference: Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be worn when cleaning with compressed air. See WAC 296-800-160 in the Safety and Health Core Rules.

AIRHOSE AND PLASTIC PIPE

WAC 296-807-14025

Make sure airhose and plastic pipe supplying compressed air to portable air tools are safe

You must

(1) Make sure the airhose and hose connections are suitable for the:

• Air pressure

• Use.

(2) Make sure any plastic pipe used to supply compressed air for portable air tools has been specifically identified by the manufacturer as being suitable for compressed air use.

Note: Existing unapproved pipe that is buried underground or enclosed in shatter-resistant material is acceptable only if it completely eliminates the hazards created by the brittle nature of the pipe.

TOOL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

WAC 296-807-14030

Make sure air tools are adequately designed and constructed

Exemption: This section doesn't apply to: Tools specifically for medical or dental use Tools specifically for use in the food processing industry Tools mounted in stationary installations Air hoists Construction and mining tools such as paving breakers, diggers, tampers, and rock drills.

 

You must

• Make sure portable, hand-held air tools meet the requirements of:

  – ANSI B186.1-1984, Safety Code for Portable Air Tools.

  OR

  – ANSI/ISANTA SNT-101-1993, Portable, Compressed-Air-Actuated, Fastener Driving Tools-Safety Requirements for.

Note: There may be a statement on the tool or in the instruction manual indicating the tool meets the requirements of the appropriate ANSI standard. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.

TOOL USE

WAC 296-807-14035

Use air tools safely

Exemption: This section doesn't apply to: Tools specifically for medical or dental use Tools specifically for use in the food processing industry Tools mounted in stationary installations Air hoists Construction and mining tools such as paving breakers, diggers, tampers, and rock drills.

You must

(1) Relieve the pressure in the air line before disconnecting a compressed air tool from the line or disconnecting a hose joint unless there is automatic valve closing protection at the joint being separated.

(2) Disconnect the tool from the compressed air supply before repairs are done.

(3) Make sure that eye protection is worn at all times by:

• The person operating the tool

• Other persons in the area where tools are being used.

FASTENER DRIVING TOOLS

WAC 296-807-14040

Make sure fastener driving air tools (nailers and staplers) are safe

You must

(1) Make sure any fastener driving air tool discharges all air in the tool when disconnected from the compressed air supply.

(2) Make sure that all pneumatically driven nailers, staplers, and other similar equipment provided with automatic fastener feed have a safety device on the muzzle to prevent the tool from ejecting fasteners, unless the muzzle is in contact with the work surface.

Note: Pneumatic nailers or staplers don't need this safety device if: The overall weight of the fastening device doesn't exceed the weight of one and 1-1/2 inches of standard 18-gauge wire. The normal maximum diameter tolerance for manufacturing standard 18-gauge wire is .045 inches. The operator and any other person within 12 feet of the point of operation wear approved eye protection.