Main risks

• Airborne particles and dust propelled by compressed air that can injure eyes and skin.
• Strikes from a “whiplash” effect if the hose comes loose, breaks, or disconnects while pressurised.
• Injuries from injection of air into the skin or body orifices, and hearing damage from nearby air bursts.
• Rupture due to overpressure, extreme kinking, crushing, or chemical incompatibility with oils or solvents.
• Trips and falls due to hoses running across walkways.
• Minor burns from couplings or sections that heat up during intensive use or near heat sources.
• Fire risk when blowing near sparks, flames, or flammable vapours.

Safe use

• Check the condition of the hose and couplings before each use; do not use it if it shows cuts, bulges, cracks, stiffness, or leaks.
• Set the compressor regulator so as not to exceed the working pressure specified for the hose and the tool.
• Use compatible, correctly sized couplings and clamps; ensure full engagement and, where possible, a locking mechanism.
• Hold the hose firmly when connecting or disconnecting, and vent the pressure before releasing the couplings.
• Do not direct the air stream at people, skin, eyes or ears, nor use it to clean clothing.
• Route the hose to avoid sharp edges, crushing and very tight bend radii; secure or mark it in walkways.
• Wear eye protection; depending on the task, consider gloves and hearing protection.
• Avoid blowing flammable dust or vapours; keep the area ventilated and free from ignition sources.

Storage and maintenance

• Store the hose coiled without forced kinks, on a large-diameter support or reel, raised off the floor and out of walkways.
• Keep it clean and dry; avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, heat, frost, ozone, and chemical agents that could degrade it.
• Protect the ends with caps or covers to prevent ingress of dirt; clean with water and pH-neutral soap.
• Periodically check gaskets and couplings; verify that fastenings are secure and replace worn seals.
• Check for leaks with soapy water at low pressure and remove from service if any are found.
• Replace the hose at the first signs of ageing or damage; do not repair it with tape or improvised splices.
• Regularly drain moisture from the air system to reduce water build-up in the line.

Usage restrictions

• Do not use the hose outside the pressure and temperature ranges specified by the manufacturer.
• Do not use it with gases other than compressed air, or with liquids, steam, or flammable or corrosive substances, unless expressly specified.
• Do not use the hose for lifting, towing or suspending loads, nor as a tie-down.
• Do not modify, knot or splice hoses or couplings of incompatible types.
• Keep it away from flames, sparks and very hot surfaces; avoid blowing in atmospheres with flammable dust or vapours.
• Keep it out of the reach of children and do not use it unsupervised in public or shared spaces.