on 23/6/07 9:40 pm, Jacqui Livock at [log in to unmask] wrote:
> hi
> i have been asked this week about the risk to pregnant women working with
> compressed air.
> the role involves hand spraying a small jet of air (and water) onto a
> small dirty mark to remove it.
> the lady has been put on this job as it is the lightest we have (requested
> light duties after conception!) and she has "been told" that compressed
> air causes bubbles in the blood stream of her and her baby. i have asked
> her to contact her midwife....on annual leave!
>
> i have googled and found some very competative rates for buying compressed
> air! i have also learned that diving is not recommended when
> pregnant....anyone heard of this before??
>
> jacqui
>
>
Hello Jacqui
There are two aspects to this posting. Firstly diving - the issue re diving
is that the diver is subject to increasing pressure atmospheric pressure the
greater the depth to which the person dives. To my knowledge there is little
good quality research on hyperbaric pressure and pregnancy (for obvious
ethical reasons). Generally the advice is do not dive due to potential ill
effects for the foetus due to this hyperbaric pressure. I do not think it
has anything to do with compressed air per se but the divers who subscribe
may have a better understanding than mine of the application of laws of
physics re gas transfer at depth (Henry's Law and Boyles Law).
With regard to the use of compressed air in the workplace. I would not rely
on the knowledge of the employees midwife. She is unlikely to have OH
knowledge. Looking at this logically. The woman would be using a jet of
compressed air to remove marks from an object. Undertaking a risk assessment
is essential. Compressed air is a significant hazard the degree of risk
depends on how it is used. The use of compressed air for a pregnant woman
under the circumstances as described in your email should not put her at any
greater risk than any other worker but a risk assessment is required to
confirm this.
A word of caution - compressed air injuries, however, are a significant
risk. Compressed air should be used with great care as it can be dangerous.
If it is "shot" into the skin there is the possibility of air emboli.
Fooling around with compressed air should be a disciplinary offence for
anyone - pregnant or not.
I suggest a search on google re compressed air injuries may be helpful,
particularly a search on "compressed air" & injury on google image.
Hope this is helpful
Anne Harriss
Course Director Occupational Health Nursing
London South Bank University
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