[A new cause of accidents resulting from the use of air-powered tools].

Air-powered tools are employed increasingly frequently in industry and involve new possibilities for occupational accidents. A new mechanism of trauma is described where the cause is failure of the snap connection between the tool and the air pipeline. The pipeline and the connection are hurled away from the tool with great force and can hit persons in the vicinity. During the period 1.1.1984 to 31.12.1986, 33 accidents of this type were registered with the workers' supervision authorities. 63% of these consisted to trauma to the neck, head and eyes. As prophylaxis, the present authors suggest a safety chain between the tool and the pipeline and a valve which interrupts the air supply when the pressure in the system falls.