There are many ways in which compressed air can be dangerous, for example it can enter the mouth, nose or ears causing severe and often fatal injuries, at high pressure it can penetrate the skin and particles or oil carried in an air jet can damage the eyes. There is the risk of explosion caused by a build up of residue in the system that can spontaneously ignite if not maintained correctly so it is of vital importance that safety guidelines are followed when using air compressors. The efficient safe running of a compressed air system relies on cleanliness, filtration, cooling and lubrication. The best way of achieving these four...

There are many industries that need to use compressed air for a wide range of applications and so regular maintenance of the compressor is essential to avoid breakdowns and other issues. When planning a maintenance schedule, it is important to think about daily, weekly and long-term tasks as some major work will only need doing annually. Some compressors need the oil level checking daily for example a piston compressor uses oil so therefore will need the oil topping up regularly. The cylinder that is situated underneath or alongside the compressor, called the receiver, usually has a drain valve that needs opening at least weekly to drain any water or oil...