Industrial lubricants need to be handled with extra care to avoid deterioration, contamination and costly waste disposal. Working with industrial lubricants is hazardous. You should identify the potential hazards associated with industrial lubricants and take necessary measure to prevent them. Follow below-given safety tips while handling industrial lubricants :
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Handling drums containing industrial lubricants like oil and grease weighing nearly 204 kg is quite dangerous. If it is dropped, it may bounce out of control, creating spill or fire hazard. Hence industrial lubricant manufacturers advice that always two people should overturn the drum to prevent hazards.
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Grease gun injuries or high-pressure injection injuries are most common in the workplace. These hazards are caused by accidental injection of grease, oil or solvent under pressure through the skin. This injury can cause serious delayed soft tissue damage and affected person should seek immediate medical attention in this case.
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Handling any type of pressurized equipment generally, pose a risk of such injuries according to industrial lubricant manufacturers. These accidents generally happen when the person wipes the tip of the nozzle with his or her finger or the nozzle slips off the grease fitting while it is held in place. Leak in the grease line can also be responsible for injecting grease into the body.
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Oil lubricant manufacturers advice to immediately wipe lubricant spills using absorbent drying pads because oil or grease spilled on floor, catwalk or ladder can present fall and fire hazards. Quickly repair sources of lubricant leaks, replace leaky dispensing devices and keep drip pails in place to avoid hazards.
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You should never apply lubricants to machines in operation unless it is equipped with central lubrication systems and oil caps are piped out to a safe place. Never reach over, under, through or past moving parts of the machinery. Certain types of machinery strictly need shut down for lubrication, make sure they are properly locked and tagged out of service.
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Never forget to replace guards promptly after lubrication work is done and report damaged guards or places where guards are needed. Machine guards on belt or chain drives, open gears, couplings etc. should be removed only after the machine is shut down and locked properly.
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Prolonged exposure to petroleum products like cutting fluids, solvents and rust preventive solutions can cause irritation, itching or skin rashes. Oil lubricant manufacturers insist on using rubber gloves regularly. Wash hands and affected area frequently with mild soap and warm water.
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Solvents, kerosene, diesel, fuel, and gasoline have very low flash points and will burn readily as compared to lube oil and greases. Many petroleum products burn easily. Hence do not use gasoline for cleaning and do not smoke around any petroleum product.
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Be very careful while handling solvents because many of them emit enough vapor to form flammable mixtures with air. Make sure containers are grounded before opening or dispensing solvents or fuels. Store solvents in a properly ventilated area and keep containers closed when not in use.
