Compressed air: the right tool poster

Compressed air is one of the most expensive forms of energy in a plant, yet much of it goes on jobs a cheaper tool does better: blowing off benches, cooling people, venting from machines that are stopped. The US Department of Energy calls these inappropriate uses. This poster lists six common ones with the better tool for each, and the OSHA rule for when air is used to clean: under 30 psi, with chip guarding and PPE.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 440 KB · no form

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Compressed air misuse poster — 24 x 36 in18 x 24 inA2A3LetterA4PNG 300 dpi

The words on the poster

Is air the right tool?

Compressed air is one of the most expensive forms of energy in a plant.

Cleaning benches and floors Use a brush or vacuum instead.
Cooling people Use a fan. Never point air at anyone.
Blowing off parts Use a blower or an engineered nozzle.
Air on to stopped machines Valve off the zone when it stops.
Cooling panels with air Use a filtered fan or a panel air conditioner.
Making vacuum with air For steady demand, use a vacuum pump.

Cleaning with air? Under 30 psi, with chip guarding and PPE (OSHA 1910.242(b)). Never on skin or clothes.

Misuses after the US DOE compressed air tip sheets. Cleaning rule: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.242(b).

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Compressed air: the right tool poster to work

1
Hang it by the compressor room, the maintenance office and at blow-gun points.
2
Walk the floor with it and count how many of the six you see in an hour.
3
For each blow-off point, ask whether a brush, a blower or a better nozzle would do.
4
Pair it with the air and water leaks poster and the free compressed air leak survey log.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.