Air Compressor

The Basics

Our compressor is a Clarke Ranger 24. Vital statistics are as follows:

• 1.5hp
• 24l reservoir
• 8bar max pressure

The manual is available here.

Tools

• Air gun
• Spray gun
• Degreasing gun
• Tyre inflator

Risk assessment for use of Air Compressor.

Hazards.

• 1) Skin penetration.
• 2) Explosions.
• 3) Damage to eyes from particles.
• 4) Orifical bodily entry.
• 5) Inhalation of fumes.
• 6) Exposure to high acoustic levels.

Persons at risk.

• Operator.
• Persons nearby.
• Persons in adjoining properties.

Initial assessment of risk.

Hazard identified	Severity	Probability	Risk Factor
Skin penetration	4	1	4
Explosions	5	1	5
Damage to eyes from particles	4	2	8
Orifical bodily entry	4	1	4
Inhalation of fumes	1	2	2
Exposure to high acoustic levels	2	5	10

Control measures.

• Users will be required to demonstrate competence to use the tool safely.
• Safety glasses will be worn.
• Ear protection will be worn.

Final assessment of risk

Hazard identified	Severity	Probability	Risk Factor
Skin penetration	4	1	4
Explosions	5	1	5
Damage to eyes from particles	4	1	4
Orifical bodily entry	4	1	4
Inhalation of fumes	1	2	2
Exposure to high acoustic levels	2	2	4

Points system

Hazard severity	Points Rating	Definition
Nil	1	Very minor injury, bruise, graze, no risk of disease.
Slight	2	Minor injury, which would allow the individual to continue work after first aid treatment on site or at a local surgery. The duration of the stoppage or treatment is such that the normal flow of work is not seriously interrupted.
Moderate	3	Temporary disability causing injury or disease capable of keeping an individual off work for three days or more and reportable under RIDDOR
High	4	Causing death, serious injury or permanent disability to an individual.
Very high	5	Causing multiple deaths and widespread destruction eg. fire, building collapse.

Hazard likelihood	Points Rating	Definition
Remote possibility	1	There is really no risk present. Only under freak conditions could there be any possibility of an accident or illness. All reasonable precautions have been taken - This should be the normal state of the workplace.
Unlikely	2	This incident or illness might occur but the probability is low and the risk minimal.
Possible	3	The accident may occur if additional factors precipitate it, but it is unlikely to happen without them.
Highly likely	4	Will happen more often than not. Additional factors could precipitate an incident but it is still likely to happen without this additional factor.
Inevitable	5	If the work continues as it is, there is almost 100% certainty that an accident will happen, for example: A broken stair or broken rung on a ladder Bare, exposed electrical conductors Unstable stacks of heavy boxes

Risk Rating Score	Definition	Action
1 to 4	Low	No action required
5 to 9	Moderate	Reduce risks if reasonably practicable
10 to 15	High Risk	Priority action to be undertaken
16 to 25	Unacceptable	Action must be taken IMMEDIATELY