safety topic on hoses and pressure

To ensure safety when using high-pressure hoses and associated equipment, it is important to follow proper inspection and maintenance procedures, and adhere to regulatory compliance.

Key safety procedures include:

• Regular Inspections:
• Flexible hoses and fittings should be checked for leaks at their junctions. Threaded or clamped joints should also be inspected for leaks.
• The outer covering of hoses should be examined for blistering, abnormal deformation, or other signs of failure.
• The outer surface of hoses, rigid tubes, and fittings should be checked for excessive abrasion or scrubbing.
• Hoses should be inspected regularly for bulges, cuts, and cracks.

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• Maintenance Practices:
• Keep tools clean, lubricated, and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Replace defective hoses and fittings promptly.
• Ensure that hose connections fit properly and are equipped with a mechanical means of securing the connection (e.g., chain, wire, or positive locking device).
• Do not exceed the manufacturer's safe operating pressures for hoses, pipes, valves, filters, and other fittings.

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• Operational Safety Measures:
• Secure live steam or air hoses to prevent the ends from whipping out of tanks or vats.
• Use a short wire or positive locking device, commonly known as a "whip check," attaching the air hose to the tool as an added safeguard.
• Minimize trip hazards from hoses by ensuring they do not cross walkways.
• Avoid using hoses to hoist or lower tools.
• Release pressure before breaking connections, unless quick-acting, self-closing connectors are used.
• Do not use any part of the body to locate or attempt to stop a hydraulic leak.
• Do not kink hoses.

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• Regulatory Compliance:
• Ensure that all hose connections are secured by a positive means to prevent accidental disconnection, unless a suitable ball check device or equivalent is provided at the air source.
• Do not exceed the manufacturer's safe operating pressure for hoses, pipes, valves, filters, and other fittings.
• All hoses exceeding 1/2-inch inside diameter must have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.

[5] [5] [8] [3] By adhering to these safety procedures, the risks of failures, bursts, and injuries associated with high-pressure hoses and equipment can be significantly reduced.