According to the OSHA standards for the construction industry, compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except when __________.

• A. Less Than 50 Psi
• B. Less Than 30 Psi and With Chip Guarding
• C. Less Than 30 Psi
• D. Less Than 50 Psi and With a Chip Guarding

Answer: (B)

Air can blast debris at very high speeds, which can cause eye injuries, skin cuts, and inhalation hazards. OSHA allows cleaning with compressed air only under tightly controlled conditions: the pressure must be less than 30 psi and a chip guarding device must be in place on the nozzle. The low pressure reduces the energy of any debris, and the chip guard acts as a safety barrier to prevent chips from injuring the worker or being blown back toward them. Higher pressures or cleaning without guarding increase the risk of serious injury, so those options aren’t allowed.