Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Air Compressor Disasters: A Safety Reminder

Air compressors are amazing inventions. They have countless applications that make life better for everyone. However, they are terribly powerful. When dealing with air compressors, people should be extremely cautious. These machines also need regular maintenance to ensure that they don’t break down. There have been disasters in the past due to air compressors breaking down. Here are two such incidents that occurred many decades ago, but are still remembered today. Such tragedies serve as lessons for everyone to respect these machines.

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In 1929, there were two air compressor disasters that rocked the United States. The first one came in February, when an air compressor exploded in a quarry in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The explosion killed seven men who were about to leave for the day. It was speculated that the blast was caused by defects in the machine itself. Dozens more were injured.

Later that same year, an air compressor explosion killed three people in the city of St. Ansgar in Iowa. The explosion, which happened in a gas station, destroyed the buildings in the immediate vicinity and caused extensive damage to the surrounding structures, most notably the public library. It was also reported that windows of buildings several blocks away were shattered by the force of the explosion.

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Although technology has evolved to improve safety at work sites, utmost caution and regular maintenance of these machines are still needed.

Eaton Compressor is a company that specializes in the manufacturing of maintenance parts for air compressors. To learn more about the company, visit its official website.

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