1910.242(b): Limits on Compressed Air for Cleaning
Employers must not allow compressed air to be used for cleaning unless the pressure is reduced to less than 30 psi. Even then, effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment must be used. Together these limits help keep flying chips and air from injuring workers' eyes and skin.
Key takeaways
- 1910.242(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 880 times in the last 3 years, in 880 inspections, with $1,526,090 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MN (262), TN (79), OR (39).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.242(b) ("Compressed air used for cleaning") is one requirement inside 1910.242 Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart P). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(b) Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment. 880 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.242.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.242(b).
At 7:45 p.m. on September 27, 2024, Employee #1 was operating a dual-hopper log shaver when the employee made contact with the cutter heads of the machine. The employee was caught in the machine and sustained fatal injuries. The employee's body above the legs was…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 46 |
| 2024 | 316 |
| 2025 | 315 |
| 2026 | 203 |
Top states: MN (262), TN (79), OR (39), NC (39), MD (36)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALLOY WHEEL REPAIR SPECIALISTS, LLC | BATH, PA | $20,000 |
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $16,131 |
| GIBBON PACKING, LLC. | GIBBON, NE | $12,500 |
| FERTITTA ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | LAUGHLIN, NV | $11,754 |
| NEW HORIZONS BAKING COMPANY | COLUMBUS, OH | $11,348 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.242(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Using compressed air for cleaning an employee's body and clothing (1994-01-14)
- Response to request for variance from 1910.242(b) (1985-12-06)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pressure limit for cleaning with compressed air?
Less than 30 psi.
Is reducing the pressure enough by itself?
No. Effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment are also required.
Can compressed air be used to clean clothing or skin?
This rule only allows cleaning use under 30 psi with chip guarding and PPE; never point air at a person.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.242 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.