For manufacturers across the UK, compressed air is just as
important as gas and electricity – and yet this utility doesn’t
receive the same amount of focus. Here Andy Jones, general
manager at Mattei, explains why this could be
compromising safety

Compressed air is regarded as
industry’s fourth utility but, despite it
being a vital part of the
manufacturing process, when it comes to
safety on the shop floor, it largely remains
unconsidered, or even forgotten. While the
risks that gas and electricity pose are widely
publicised, understood and prepared for,
anecdotal evidence suggests that the same
cannot be said of compressed air.

For example, we still hear of employees
using it to dust off machinery, work benches
and their clothes – even though if it
penetrated the skin and entered the
bloodstream a fatal air bubble could reach
the heart or lungs. And, as compressed air
travels at a phenomenal speed, if it hits an
eye or an ear it may lead to blindness or loss
of hearing respectively.

Just like other pieces of industrial
equipment, the compressor itself needs to be
installed and maintained correctly to ensure
it operates safely. If a compressed air system
isn’t properly and regularly maintained it
could end up posing a danger (and of course
won’t perform correctly or efficiently either).

In very extreme cases a poorly maintained
compressor might even catch fire or explode.

This is why every compressed air system,
virtually without exception, should have a
Written Scheme of Examination in place; the
system should be regularly inspected in
accordance with this. Written Schemes of
Examination are a legal requirement under
the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations
2000. The document contains a wide range
of information, including the parts of the
system that need to be examined, the nature
of the examination required, the preparatory
work needed and the maximum interval
allowed between examinations.

The worry is that many businesses
running compressed air systems either
ignore this or are simply not aware of it,
even though it’s been in place for 13 years.

There is a potential fine of up to £20,000 for
not having a Written Scheme of
Examination – but no one seems to really
police it.

Noise levels from a compressor are also
worth checking to ensure employees aren’t
adversely affected. All compressor
manufacturers have to state the noise levels
of their machines in accordance to
international standards, with the current one
being EN ISO 2151:2008.

Our concern is that despite the risks there
are currently no formal accreditation
schemes for
engineers
designing,
installing and
maintaining
compressed air
systems – so
some end users
could well be
receiving poor
advice, and
safety could be being compromised.

The British Compressed Air Society
(BCAS) offers four courses – Safe Working
with Compressed Air, a Certificate in
Compressed Air System Technology, the
Diploma in Compressed Air Management
and a Competent Examiner course for those
involved in carrying out examinations in
accordance with Written Schemes of
Examination. However, these are voluntary.

Mattei would ideally like to see the
introduction of a recognised training
programme and an official accreditation
scheme for service engineers working on
compressed air systems, and for those
involved in design and installation. We
would even go so far as to suggest that we
need something similar to the Gas Safe
Register that is in place for installers working
with gas appliances, so that only people with
proven competence can install and maintain
compressed air systems.

In the absence of formal accreditation
there are some voluntary schemes that users
can look for when assessing compressed air
companies. For example, companies working
in the compressed air industry can
demonstrate professionalism and
competence as well as their commitment to
health and safety and best practice by joining
BCAS. Members have to adhere to its codes
of conduct, and can choose to proactively
participate in the BCAS AirSAFE register,
which promotes the credibility and
professionalism as identified via customer
feedback.

Mattei is committed to improving health
and safety practices in the compressed air
industry; we are members of BCAS, have
SAFEcontractor accreditation and an
AirSAFE award. We have personnel
qualified to carry out inspections in
accordance with Written Schemes of
Examination on behalf of customers.