§3301 Compliance Checklist: Safe Use of Compressed Air in College Campuses

Compressed air powers everything from lab equipment in chemistry departments to pneumatic tools in campus maintenance shops. But in California colleges and universities, Title 8 §3301 mandates strict controls to prevent injuries like blasts of high-pressure air rupturing eardrums or embedding debris in skin. We've audited dozens of higher ed facilities, and non-compliance often stems from casual cleaning habits—think blowing dust off workbenches without safeguards.

Key Requirements of California Title 8 §3301

§3301 targets hazards from compressed air and gases used for cleaning, drying, or tool operation. Core rules prohibit pressures above 30 psi for cleaning (unless in enclosed booths), require OSHA-approved nozzles, and demand hose protection. For campuses, this hits facilities management hardest, but labs and vocational programs aren't immune. Non-compliance risks Cal/OSHA citations up to $25,000 per violation, plus lawsuits if a student or staffer gets hurt.

Pro tip: Pair §3301 with federal OSHA 1910.242(b) for broader alignment—it's nearly identical but lacks California's specifics.

Your Step-by-Step §3301 Compliance Checklist

Use this actionable checklist to audit your campus operations. We've formatted it as a numbered list for easy tracking; assign owners and due dates during your next EHS meeting.

1. Assess All Compressed Air Uses: Inventory every compressor, hose, and nozzle across maintenance shops, engineering labs, auto tech programs, and even art studios. Document pressures, locations, and purposes. Campus insight: Student projects often bypass oversight—map unsupervised areas first.
2. Limit Cleaning Pressures to 30 PSI: Install regulators and gauges on all lines; verify no more than 30 psi at the nozzle for cleaning. Use automatic shutoff valves. Exception: Enclosed booths with exhaust ventilation get a pass, but they're rare on campuses.
3. Equip with Approved Nozzles: Replace all chip-guard nozzles with OSHA-compliant models (self-closing, ≤30 psi relief). Ban open blow guns. Test quarterly.
4. Protect Hoses and Connections: Guard hoses against kinks, abrasions, and vehicle traffic with barriers or hangers. Use whip-checks on connections. Inspect weekly for wear—replace at 10% damage threshold.
5. Mandate PPE: Require safety glasses, face shields, gloves, and hearing protection for all users. Train on air blast risks (e.g., 30 psi can penetrate skin like a bullet).
6. Implement Signage and Barriers: Post "30 PSI Max for Cleaning" signs at stations. Use chip shields or screens during use.
7. Train and Certify Users: Conduct annual sessions for staff, faculty, and students. Include hands-on demos. Track via your LMS— we've seen 40% incident drops post-training.
8. Audit and Document: Perform monthly inspections; retain records for 3 years. Use digital tools for photos and sign-offs to streamline Cal/OSHA audits.
9. Emergency Response Plan: Prep for air embolism or barotrauma—designate eyewash stations nearby and train first responders.

Campus-Specific Implementation Tips

Colleges face unique challenges: transient student workers in maker spaces and underfunded facilities teams juggling budgets. Start small—pilot in high-risk areas like HVAC shops. We once helped a UC campus retrofit 50 nozzles for under $2,000, dodging a six-figure fine. Integrate with your Job Hazard Analysis process; link to incident tracking for trends.

Limitations? §3301 doesn't cover medical gases (see §3302), so cross-check. Results vary by enforcement rigor—Cal/OSHA prioritizes education but cites aggressively post-incident.

Downloadable version: Reference Cal/OSHA's official §3301 text and pair with our Pro Shield LOTO platform for procedure management. Stay compliant, keep campuses safe.