Excessive
vibrations and noise can have devastating long-term consequences for an operator. For example, prolonged exposure to vibrations can lead
to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) which can result in a loss of sensation in the hand. At the same time, extremely loud noises or
continued exposure to loud noises can result in loss of hearing.
The tool’s vibration level and the length of exposure time are the two key factors that indicate whether an operator will be at risk from
HAVS. Vibration and noise can both be minimized by choosing tools with low levels, evaluating the work pattern and wearing appropriate PPE,
such as ear protectors.
2. Check that the tools have appropriate safety features:
Grinders – Key safety features on these tools are overspeed shut-off functions, autobalancers and guards. The first – overspeed
shut off –
prevents a grinding wheel from speeding faster that it should, and therefore it reduces the risk of disc burst which would ultimately injure
the user. Secondly, autobalancers stabilize
a tool, greatly reducing vibration. Finally, guards protect the operator from any shrapnel in case the disc breaks apart.
Impact wrenches – An important feature to consider is the torque limited function which enables torque level control,
mainly on tightening applications where torque control is essential, such as tire changing or shipyards. Tools
whose torque is limited by
an air flow modification have lower vibration than those with a mechanical modification.
3. Perform regular maintenance
Regular
servicing is vital when ensuring the safety of equipment as a tool that is well looked after and properly maintained will have less risk
of failing. Maintenance
should be carried out according to the tool’s manual,
for example, components that wear most frequently and therefore need maintaining in grinders are the blades and bevel gears. Blades should
be inspected every 500 hours, and the interval for bevel gears is every 1,000 – 2,000 hours depending on the tool.
4. Know how to use the tools safely
Always
follow manufacturers’ recommendations and best practice on tool usage. Ensure operators are fully trained to use equipment safely and to
follow the company’s agreed safety procedures. Furthermore, make sure you are using the right tool and abrasive for the job.
5. Wear appropriate PPE
Personal
protection equipment (PPE) helps to shield the operator against potential hazards. It is critical that operators always use all
recommended safety equipment when operating pneumatic tools, including sturdy gloves to protect hands from the elements, helmets and
safety goggles in case of any debris, and ear protectors for noise.
6. Make sure the environment is safe
Consider
the environment surrounding the job and ensure you take appropriate precautions. For example, is it a confined space, or is the job at
height? Grinding can create fine dust particles, which if inhaled can cause health and safety issues for the operator. Therefore, always
grind in a well-ventilated space. Also, always ensure that the workpiece is secure, and you have a stable operating position.
7. Ensure you have a good air line set up
Think about the whole tool system including the air line. All pneumatic tools require clean, lubricated air and a dynamic pressure of 90 PSI
(6.3 bar) to work safely. If the pressure is any higher than this, it could negatively affect the tools’ lifespan and risk operator’s
safety. Air pressure can be adjusted with an FRL (filter, regulator, lubricator) so it is important to include one in the air system near
the tool.
By considering these seven points you will improve safety associated with using tools in the workplace, therefore protecting operators. An
additional benefit to these responsible practices is that you will improve efficiency too!
Browse our air tools here
CP7769 Heavy Duty 3/4" Impact Wrench, Max Torque 1950 Nm
Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
Vacuum pumps
Nitrogen
An extensive line of air treatment components
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries
ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white
cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
Air compressors come in many types, rotary screw, piston, scroll, reciprocating, some are oil-free and other air compressors require oil
lubrication. Like many businesses, an efficient air compressor is at the heart of their operations. So, which type of compressor should you
choose? What makes a compressor, like a rotary screw, unique? Here are some clear cut benefits of equipping your business with a rotary
screw compressor.
Read More…
In the world of compressors, there are often significant and unutilized energy-saving possibilities including energy recovery, pressure
reduction, leakage reduction and optimization of operations through correct choice of a control and regulation system as well as the choice
of compressor size.We are going to take a look at some of the opportunities for minimizing the compressor’s operating costs.
Read More…
Many installations that produce compressed air offer significant and frequently unutilized energy
saving possibilities in
the form of waste energy recovery. In large industries, energy costs can amount to 80% of the total cost of compressed
air production.
However, a lot of this energy can be recovered, which in turn will save you a lot of money.
Read More…
Liquid water in compressed-air systems can lead to rusted equipment and unresponsive controls. Anyone who uses compressed air will, at some
point, find liquid water in the air distribution system. This can be anything from a nuisance to a serious problem, depending on the
application. If water might corrode equipment or introduce bacteria, removing it is critical.
Read More…
Liquid water in compressed-air systems can lead to rusted equipment and unresponsive controls. Anyone who uses compressed air will, at some
point, find liquid water in the air distribution system. This can be anything from a nuisance to a serious problem, depending on the
application. If water might corrode equipment or introduce bacteria, removing it is critical.
Read More…
Whenever most people think about a compressor, they probably have a piston compressor in mind. You might already know there are two basic
principles of air compression. One of those is the principle of displacement compression. There are a lot of compressor types that classify
as a displacement compressor. The piston compressor is one of them, oil-lubricated or oil-free.
Read More…
Once you have the size and type of
compressor figured out, one last question remains, should I go with an oil lubricated or oil-free air compressor. To not overcomplicate the
answer, your choice should be based on the application and process that the compressed air will be utilized in.
Read More…
Like all compressor types, rotary screw models do require periodic maintenance. Thanks to the simplicity of the internal components,
maintenance is relatively easy on most rotary air compressors. As long as you stick to a rotary screw compressor maintenance schedule, you
will likely be rewarded with many, many years of optimal productivity from your machine.
Read More…
Did you know, the biggest part of the air we breathe is nitrogen? Everyone needs oxygen to survive, however air is made up of 78% nitrogen,
only 21% oxygen and tiny amounts of other gases. Although, the human body does not use this nitrogen, it is very helpful in various
industrial applications. There is an unlimited source of nitrogen readily available, allowing you to achieve needed purity at a fraction of
your current annual nitrogen cost.
Read More…
If you notice that your compressor is getting hot and bothered, there may be heating issues affecting your air compressors performance. Did
you know that an overheating compressor is top of the pops for being the most common cause of compressor failure.
Read More…
A rotary-screw compressor is an air compressor that uses a rotary-type positive-displacement mechanism, typically used replace piston
compressors where large volumes of high-pressure air are needed, either for large industrial applications or to operate high-power air
tools.
Read More…
Have a look around and what do you see? What are you thinking about? Your next holiday to Queenstown maybe? You might go snowboarding with
the kids or have some alone time at the Day Spa. Whatever holiday you choose, compressed air is involved in some way, without you even
realising it!
Read More…
There are crucial reasons why you should service and maintain your compressor regularly, with the most common issues being piston failure
caused by wear of components, increased friction, corrosion, reduced cooling, overheating bearings and components, clogging of air filters.
Read More…
Our passion for energy efficiency and cost saving derives from the concern for our children’s future. Analysing the efficiency of your
system is a brilliant way to start saving.
Read More…
Compressed air is all around us, from the air in a balloon to pumping up tires on your bicycle. In this article we will explain what
compressed air is and how it is created. Whether you know it or not, compressed air is involved in every aspect of our lives, from the
balloons at your birthday party to the air in the tires of our cars and bicycles. It was probably even used when making the phone, tablet or
computer you’re viewing this on.
Read More…
One of the biggest challenges is to correctly size your new air compressor. Similarly to everything else, new compressors available on the
market are more efficient and employ better technology, therefore you have to understand the application and usage to size the machine
correctly. Choosing the wrong air compressor for your facility can lead to problems with production and or increased costs due to wasted
energy.
Read More…
Once you have the size of the air compressor figured out, the
next thing to do is to decide on the type of compresor you will need for your application - piston, rotary screw compressor etc. Let us take
a look at two of the most popular options available. When choosing the right type of compressor, you should ask yourself the following
questions:
Read More…
Which vacuum pump do I need? - this is one of the most frequent questions we receive and this is understandable, because there are number
of technologies which can provide the same vacuum level and pumping speed. Here is quick advice on how to choose the best vacuum pump for
your needs.
Read More…
You may be asking, why does my air compressor start, then stop? Allow us to take the guessing out of it. We understand your pain. We know
that a compressor problem can quickly result in hours (if not days) of production downtime and loss of revenue. When your compressor
continuously shuts off from on, we refer that as a short cycle. There are a few reasons that a short cycle may be happening with your
compressor.
Read More…
Air compressor leaks are very common in all applications, but can be very costly and difficult to find. On average, 20-30% of the compressed
air used in a manufacturing plant is wasted as leaked air. Finding and fixing these leaks can save your business thousands of wasted dollars
a year.
Read More…
When installing a compressed air system into a business, people often look to PVC piping as an option to build a piping system because it is
cheap, versatile and easy to install. However, using PVC pipe in any compressed air application is extremely dangerous and NOT recommended
by multiple associations and manufacturers.
Read More…
Changing the oil and oil filters on your compressor is one of the most common routine maintenance tasks to perform to keep your compressor
running efficiently. After you remove your old oil and oil filter, you may find yourself wondering, “Where do I dispose of these?”, or “Can I
just throw them in the trash?”. Because oil is toxic and a pollutant, disposing of your old oil and filters is not as simple as just tossing
them in the trash.
Read More…
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Excessive
vibrations and noise can have devastating long-term consequences for an operator. For example, prolonged exposure to vibrations can lead
to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) which can result in a loss of sensation in the hand. At the same time, extremely loud noises or
continued exposure to loud noises can result in loss of hearing..jpeg)
.jpeg)
Regular
servicing is vital when ensuring the safety of equipment as a tool that is well looked after and properly maintained will have less risk
of failing. .jpeg)
Always
follow manufacturers’ recommendations and best practice on tool usage. Ensure operators are fully trained to use equipment safely and to
follow the company’s agreed safety procedures. Furthermore, make sure you are using the right tool and abrasive for the job.
.jpeg)
Personal
protection equipment (PPE) helps to shield the operator against potential hazards. It is critical that operators always use all
recommended safety equipment when operating pneumatic tools, including sturdy gloves to protect hands from the elements, helmets and
safety goggles in case of any debris, and ear protectors for noise.
.jpeg)
Consider
the environment surrounding the job and ensure you take appropriate precautions. For example, is it a confined space, or is the job at
height? Grinding can create fine dust particles, which if inhaled can cause health and safety issues for the operator. Therefore, always
grind in a well-ventilated space. Also, always ensure that the workpiece is secure, and you have a stable operating position.
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