The National Safety Council has published the
reason, remove fuel soaked clothes in a running
following general safety rules for working with
shower.
compressed air:
If a person swallows gasoline, give first aid
immediately. You should give the victim large
1. Use only sound, strong hose with secure
amounts of water or milk and 4 tablespoons of
vegetable oil, if available.
couplings and connections.
2. Make sure there aren't any sharp points on
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. GET
metal hose parts.
M E D I C A L ATTENTION IMMEDI-
3. Close the control valve in portable
ATELY.
pneumatic tools before turning on air.
4. Turn off air at the control valve before
JP-4 fuel has some of the characteristics of
changing pneumatic tools. Never kink a
gasoline. Due to different characteristics, such as
hose to stop the airflow.
lower vapor pressure and high aromatic content
5. Wear suitable goggles, mask, protective
(compounds added to increase the performance
clothing, or safety devices.
number), handle this fuel very carefully.
6. Never use air to blow dust chips from work
JP-5 is a kerosene type of fuel. It has a vapor
clothing or from workbenches.
pressure close to 0 PSI. Since its tendency to
7. Never point the hose at anyone. Practical
vaporize is lower than the more volatile grades,
jokes with compressed air have caused
the vapor-air mixture above its liquid surface is
painful deaths.
too lean to ignite. For ignition to occur, the
8. When using compressed air, see that nearby
liquid's surface must reach 140F. Handle this
workers are not in line of airflow.
fuel with care.
Take precautions to prevent personnel from
PRECAUTIONS REGARDING TOOLS
breathing fumes from any fuel. Also prevent fuel
from coming in contact with the skin, especially
The tools you use should conform to Navy
if the skin has abrasions, or sores.
standards as to quality and type. You should use
them only for the purposes of their design.
Compressed Air
Maintain tools in good repair, and turn in all
damaged or nonworking tools.
Compressed air, when misused, is dangerous.
As an AE, you will use hand tools. By using
Injuries occur through hose or fitting failures,
causing the hose to whip dangerously and
them correctly, you will improve the quality of
maintenance and reduce the chance of failures.
propelling fitting parts through the air. Blowing
All third and second class AEs should complete
dust and small particles become an eye hazard.
Tools and Their Uses, NAVEDTRA 14256.
Air under pressure may cause internal injury or
Carelessness is the biggest menace in any shop.
even death by introducing an airstream into body
A machine doesn't inflict injury. Operator
tissue, usually through an existing cut or scratch.
Air can rupture cell tissues and cause severe
inattention is the cause of most accidents in
electrical and electronics shops today. Remember,
wounds through injection of minute foreign
all moving machinery is dangerous. Its not safe
bodies into the skin. Impurities always exist in a
to lean against any machine that is or may start
shop's air supply. Falls can result from tripping
to move. Don't start a machine until you know
over air lines thoughtlessly left lying on the floor.
how to operate it. Treat a machine with respect;
there is no need to fear it. Do not start a machine
until you fully understand its operation.
CAUTION
Always follow the two basic safety precautions
stated below:
Compressed air is a special tool, do not use
as a substitute for a brush to clean
1. Use the proper tool for its intended
machines, clothing, or your person. In
function, and use it correctly.
those cases where an air hose is essential
2. Keep all tools in working order and in a
for blowing out fixtures and jigs, wear eye
protection and maintain air pressure below
safe condition.
a maximum of 30 PSI. It is also desirable
Sharpen or replace dulled cutting tools.
to place screens around work to confine
Protect tools from damage while in use or in
the blown particles.
