Up to a point central compressed air solutions do have H&S issues I recall one of my thermo fluid lecturers saying well if the main pressure vessel failed it would have demolished the building.

They make many pressure rated air hoses in those communities? Didn't think so. As previous poster noted, it is all effectively arbitrary window dressing.

If it where the case they should be using belt drive driven by wind/horse power - until fairly recently mech eng techs in the uk where taught how to design belt drive systems

Belt drives are far more limited and attached tools are not mobile in any way whatsoever. Not even close when it comes to substitution technology.

well machine tools are not that mobile and neither are air powered tools as you normally use those in abuilding that has compressed air on tap.