HSENI safety warning on imported air compressors

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is warning about potentially serious safety issues relating to imported air compressors manufactured in China by the ‘Taizhou Baoma Pump Industry Company Limited’.

The warning comes after a shipment of unsafe air compressors was stopped at Belfast Port, preventing them from being sold in Northern Ireland or moved onwards for sale in other parts of the EU. A subsequent investigation of the consignment found multiple faults with the manufacture of the compressors and with the information provided to customers.

However, compressors made by the ‘Taizhou Baoma Pump Industry Company Limited’ have been on sale here for a number of years and are thought to be in use by local farms and businesses.

The specific model for concern is a 200 litre, eight bar compressor with the trademark ‘Toolmate Expert’, also marked on documentation as model number MY2065/8, which were being imported into Europe via Belfast.

The most alarming of the manufacturing faults is defective welding found in several parts of the air compressor, which could cause cracking and lead the compressor to burst while in use.

Other faults discovered include mesh style guarding that does not adequately prevent access to moving parts and which could result in injury to anyone operating the machinery.

In addition, incomplete manufacturer’s instructions have been provided, there are poor CE markings and no EU Declaration of Conformity was provided.

Urging importers, traders and customers to take heed of the safety concerns around these air compressors, Deputy Chief Executive Bryan Monson said:

“Aside from the immediate dangers should these compressors malfunction, traders and importers should also be aware that there are high costs involved when goods are prevented from entering the EU and that this can have a serious detrimental effect on the viability of a business.

“Aimed primarily at the farmer and small manufacturer or fabricator market, anyone who has one of these compressors should contact their supplier."

If you have any concerns or would like to report a defective product as a complaint please contact HSENI as follows:

• freephone: 0800 0320 121
• email:
• online@hseni.gov.uk
• post: HSENI, 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast, BT6 9FR
• online complaint form: https://www.secure.hseni.gov.uk/forms/OM01.aspx