WorkSafe highlights air receiver explosion risks

WorkSafe Victoria has released guidance focusing on the safety risks associated with air receivers — a type of pressure vessel used to store compressed air for large demands greater than a compressor’s capacity.

WorkSafe’s Manufacturing, Logistics and Agriculture Industry Program director, Ross Pilkington, said air receivers had the potential to seriously hurt people and damage property if they were not properly installed or maintained.

“There have been serious incidents involving air receivers exploding in Victorian workplaces — and it has only been good luck that no one was working near them at the time,” Pilkington said.

Employers with air receivers must ensure they are properly maintained to reduce the risk of explosion or fire.

‘Working safely with air receivers’ is aimed at improving awareness of the risks associated with air receivers — and explaining ways to eliminate and reduce those risks.

Pilkington urged employers with air receivers in their workplaces to use the handbook to assess their safety.

Depending on their hazard level, some air receivers must be registered as an item of ‘plant’ with WorkSafe Victoria.

Pilkington said WorkSafe was serious about making sure Victorian workers were not put at risk from unsafe air receivers. From early next year, WorkSafe inspectors will be inspecting air receivers during workplace visits.

To help employers determine if they need to register their air receiver, WorkSafe has provided a link from its website to Comcare’s unfired pressure vessel assessor macro (hazard level calculator). A copy of the handbook can be downloaded from www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.