Compressed air safety requirements

The maximum pressure allowed for compressed air used for cleaning is 30 psi. This limit is stated in 1917.154.

No — compressed air shall not be used to clean employees (including their clothing). The prohibition is explicit in 1917.154, and OSHA has reiterated this restriction in its January 14, 1994 letter of interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14.

Employees must be protected by chip guarding and by personal protective equipment that complies with Subpart E of Part 1917 when compressed air is used for cleaning. The requirement is in 1917.154, which ties compressed-air cleaning to chip guards and PPE under the Part 1917 Subpart E provisions.

Yes — a pressure-reducing nozzle or device may be used provided the actual cleaning discharge does not exceed 30 psi and the operation still uses required chip guards and PPE. 1917.154 prohibits cleaning with compressed air over 30 psi, so the outlet at the point of use must be at or below that limit.

Yes — the limit is expressed as gauge pressure (psig); OSHA has cited the same limit as 30 psig (204 kPa) in its interpretations. See 1917.154 and OSHA's January 14, 1994 letter of interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14 (which refers to 30 psig (204 kPa)).

Yes — compressed air may be used to clean surfaces or equipment (but not people) provided the discharge pressure does not exceed 30 psi and employees are protected by chip guards and appropriate PPE. This requirement appears in 1917.154, and OSHA's guidance for general industry also emphasizes reducing cleaning air to less than 30 psig and using guards and PPE (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14).

It depends whether Part 1917 applies to the facility: some "designated waterfront facilities" are excluded from Part 1917, and if Part 1917 does not apply then 1917.154 would not govern. OSHA's May 31, 2017 letter of interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2017-05-31 explains that certain designated waterfront facilities fall outside Part 1917's scope. If Part 1917 does apply at your facility, 1917.154 expressly prohibits cleaning employees with compressed air.

Employers are responsible for providing required PPE; OSHA's PPE payment guidance covers Part 1917 and generally requires employers to pay for PPE that the standard mandates. 1917.154 requires PPE under Subpart E, and OSHA's November 13, 2014 letter at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2014-11-13 explains that employers must generally bear the cost of mandatory PPE (with limited exceptions).

Compressed air can be used for dust removal only if the discharge pressure at the work point does not exceed 30 psi and required chip guarding and PPE are in place; however, confined spaces and vessel holds may create additional hazards that require other controls. 1917.154 sets the 30 psi/PPE requirement, and practical enforcement guidance (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14) warns of eye, respiratory, and flying-debris hazards, so employers should evaluate confined-space and ventilation requirements before using compressed air there.

Yes — even if the blowgun outlet is limited to 30 psi, the employer still must protect employees with effective chip guarding and appropriate PPE under Subpart E. 1917.154 requires both the pressure limit and guarding/PPE when compressed air is used for cleaning.

The employer is responsible for ensuring chip guards are effective and that employees wear required PPE when using compressed air for cleaning. The obligation to provide protection is stated in 1917.154, and OSHA guidance has emphasized that compressed-air cleaning must include effective guards and PPE to protect the operator and others (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14).

Employers should train employees on the 30 psi limit, the prohibition on cleaning people, the need for chip guards and required PPE, and safe operating procedures for compressed-air tools. While 1917.154 sets the pressure/PPE/guarding requirements, OSHA interpretations such as https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14 explain the hazards (eye, respiratory, flying debris) and the need to control them through training, PPE, and guarding.

Using compressed air without proper guarding and PPE can cause eye and facial injuries, respiratory problems from dust or debris, and bodily injury from high-pressure air forcing contaminants into the skin orifices. 1917.154 requires chip guards and PPE, and OSHA's January 14, 1994 interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14 describes these specific hazards and the reason for prohibiting compressed air cleaning of personnel.

If Part 1917 does not apply at your site, consult the general industry requirements and guidance—OSHA has cited 29 CFR 1910.242(b) in its interpretations for compressed-air cleaning in general industry, and its January 14, 1994 interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-01-14 explains that compressed air used for cleaning in general industry should be reduced to less than 30 psig and used only with effective chip guarding and PPE.