Air tools users in danger

The advice, from Trescal, has been issued to heighten awareness among manufacturing organisations regarding the potential risks associated with the use of air tools on production, assembly and repair operations. And the associated risk for operators to urge organisations to do more to protect personnel.

The concerns surround the fact that many industrial air tools are being fitted with unsuitable, lower quality or the wrong diameter air hoses or that inadequate checks and validates are in place. This can lead to a risk of injury to operators or damage to components by the air hose working loose.

“Air tools should be fitted with compliant air hoses that comply with UK legislation and industry specifications,” John Buckley, programmes manager at Trescal UK, said. 

“However, the fitting of air hoses to the tool is often an operation that end-users perform themselves during installation, but there is often insufficient consideration given to whether the correct hose is being used or the quality of the attachment, which can result in the line coming off during operation or vibration injury due to over or under flow of air pressure.”

He continued: “One of the ways to mitigate risk is to employ an independent company to validate the components. Trescal are able to offer this service to industry at legislative standards working within the air tool manufacturer’s specifications.”