The standard allows the use of compressed air to clean clothing or surfaces when the compressed air is used in conjunction with a ventilation system that effectively captures the dust cloud created by the compressed air. What type of ventilation system is acceptable to use?

The standard does not specify the use of a particular ventilation system for these purposes. Whatever type of system is selected, it must be able to effectively capture any dust cloud created by the use of compressed air, thereby preventing the dust cloud from entering employees’ breathing zones and contributing to silica exposures. For example, in the preamble to the standard, OSHA noted that the use of clothes-cleaning booths would be permitted because although such booths use compressed air to clean clothes, the dust is “blown out of the employee’s breathing zone and is captured by a filter.” 81 Fed. Reg. at 16797.