Product category:
Cutting lubricants, coolants, systems and treatment
News Release from: Oel-Held (UK) | Subject: Coolant skin problems service
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 October 2006
Service assists with coolant skin
problems
Metalworking coolant provider is launching a free service to assist companies in minimising or even eliminating skin problems and other coolant-related health issues.
Skin problems, once the bane of the manufacturing industries, are again becoming a significant and potentially costly problem With increasingly stringent Health and Safety regulations - and even more procedures on the way - health problems due to the working environment are now a serious consideration for most manufacturing businesses
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 6 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Oel-Held, specialists in metalworking fluids, is launching a free service to assist companies in minimising or even eliminating skin problems and other health issues relating to the use of metalworking fluids.
Health problems, such as the notorious Mule Spinners Scrotum prevalent in nineteenth century mill workers, cause more than subdued operator performance or increased sick-days.
Managers now have a 'duty of care', which makes them responsible for preventing potential health hazards within the working environment.
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With respect to metalworking fluids, this means that possible causes of skin irritation, dermatitis and impetigo as well as more serious risks, such as the carcinogenous nature of some chemicals, must be identified and eliminated as far as is possible.
Acutely aware of the changing health and safety requirements globally, Oel-Held, which has one of the largest metalworking fluid research establishment anywhere in the world, has launched its new service to help companies find their way through the 'thorny nightmare' of regulations relating to metalworking fluids and to identify the action which needs to be taken to resolve any existing or impending problems.
The service is offered free of charge, with no obligations, and generally involves nothing more than a short visit to site from one of the Oel-Held advisors.
The company also offers training for operators and/or managers in the effective management of metalworking fluids.
Managing director of Oel-Held, Colin Hayter, said "The Duty of Care imposed upon companies makes coolant-management a serious headache for many companies, yet often it is simply a question of improving the fluid management system.
Although it can be difficult to identify the exact cause of skin irritation in a machine operator, there are common factors which can easily be recognised and resolved.
Strong solutions of cutting fluid, for instance, can de-fat the skin and cause irritation.
The presence of elements such as nickel or chromium, caused by the type of metal being machined, may cause an allergic reaction.
Small sharp particles of metal or abrasive material caused by the machining process can damage the skin and open an entry- path for contaminants or irritants.
Hydraulic fluids and way lubes etc can find their way into the coolant and can cause or worsen skin irritations.
All these are problems which are easy to recognise and usually simple to resolve." He said: "Our advisory service aims to help overcome the problems they have before the situation becomes out of control and 'Duty of Care' becomes enforced." Oel-Held develops and processes a wide range of metal-cutting fluids at its research facility in Stuttgart, Germany, including water soluble, semi-synthetic and synthetic fluids, many of which are application-specific to give the greatest possible performance combined with the least possible health risk to operators.
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