Compressed air systems use more than 10% of industrial energy, yet typically 30-40% of this compressed air is wasted due to inefficient generation poor maintenance. This means many companies are not only throwing away energy and money – a poorly maintained system can be dangerous too. 

Ross Gowler, Thorite’s marketing and engineering services director, says: “Many customers need help to ensure the pneumatic equipment they use meets the latest H&S requirements, so my team and I felt duty bound to provide easily accessible support and guidance by providing information on the right products and services for each application.

"We’ve published a brochure called Compressed Air Health & Safety Solutions. This is designed to be far more than a product catalogue. Its five sections cover: Air Tools, Personal Protection, Services, Machinery Safety, and Noise Levels. Each section provides a wealth of information designed to make compressed air users aware of potential problems, legislation and regulations, and suggesting simple methods to ensure compliance in all working areas. Hopefully there’s now no excuse for workplace injuries when ways to avoid them, and the legislation that can be brought to bear against transgressors, are so clearly spelt out.”

The brochure begins with details of Air Tools and illustrates a huge selection of low vibration impact wrenches, sanders, grinders, chisel and needle scalers, plus accessories, as well as discussing the effects of Hand Arm Vibration & Carpel Tunnel syndrome, noise level and vibration regulations.

Personal Protection opens with important information on industrial application hazards, compressed air contaminants and current H&S legislation, then illustrates a range of air breathing equipment, air testers and air purifiers, available to combat the dangers.

The third section deals with Thorite’s wide range of services and includes details of the Written Scheme of Examination, 2 Day Practical Pneumatics training courses, the BCAS Working Safely with Compressed Air online training course and Air Quality Testing to guarantee compliance with mandatory requirements.

The Machinery Safety section discusses the prevention of physical damage when operating machinery, safety solutions and integrity levels, with comprehensive details of the types of valves and control elements available to ensure system safety. Section five provides guidance on industrial noise, explaining both the problems and regulations, with illustrations of some of the most effective silencing products.