The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign to improve control and handling of metalworking fluids, and help protect workers in the industry. There are a number of health problems that can arise from exposure to coolants and other metalworking fluids, including through direct contact and inhalation of these substances in mist form.
Employers have a legal duty to put in place suitable arrangements to manage health and safety and ensure they comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
The HSE has identified during its inspections that control of metalworking fluids is an area where many businesses are falling short. Given the health risks associated with exposure, the campaign is a vital opportunity to remind organisations of their health and safety responsibilities. It will also be accompanied by more frequent inspections, which means there could be serious consequences for companies that fail to comply.
At Broughton Lubricants, we welcome the announcement of this campaign and the opportunity to overhaul safety across the metalworking industry. With the right controls and safety measures in place, businesses can mitigate risk and ensure that workers are able to perform their jobs to the highest standards without the danger of falling ill.
Here, our technical experts explain the legal obligations and best practices companies should follow in order to keep workers safe, outline the processes that can help to maintain compliance and talk about how we can help businesses maintain compliance with HSE regulations.
How can businesses maintain strong controls on metalworking fluids?
HSE has identified three key steps that businesses should rely on to maintain compliance with health and safety regulations, noting that these are the areas where companies most commonly fall short. These are:
- Carrying out regular fluid quality checks
- Carrying out regular health checks on workers
- Providing local exhaust ventilation
Prolonged contact with metalworking fluids can cause various skin issues, including irritation, dermatitis, and acne, while chronic exposure can lead to more severe skin conditions. It is important to monitor for symptoms in workers, as this can be a clear sign that your existing health and safety measures are not working effectively. It is a legal requirement to implement a health surveillance scheme if your employees use metalworking fluids in their work.
In areas where exposure is a risk factor, workers should be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that can mitigate the danger of making direct contact with these fluids.
Respiratory problems are also a key concern and workers must be monitored for symptoms. Inhalation of mists from metalworking fluids can lead to respiratory issues, such as bronchitis, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In severe cases, long-term exposure has been linked to lung diseases. By far the most effective way to reduce this risk is to ensure that Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is fitted on CNC machines to remove the majority of harmful metalworking fluid mists.
What regular fluid monitoring checks do I need to perform?
There are several important steps you should take when monitoring fluid quality. The first is a visual and odour check, which you should perform every day. Look for any discolouration, or the presence of surface oil (otherwise known as tramp oil), surface creaming or water layers. Keep a record of these checks and the results you find.
You should carry out more thorough checks on a weekly basis, including monitoring the concentration and pH of your fluids and carrying out dipslide tests to detect microbial activity. This will help maintain metalworking fluids at close to optimum which will reduce the risks to employee health and help the MWF achieve maximum performance.
Bacterial contamination is one of the most common factors in causing dermatitis and other skin conditions in people exposed to metalworking fluids, and in causing infections or other serious health complications.
Monitoring fluids and reservoirs for bacterial contamination, and cleaning them when necessary, can help to keep workers safe. This has additional benefits, as high levels of bacterial contamination can affect the integrity and performance of the fluids you are using. This leads to reduced effectiveness in lubrication and cooling, and can compromise the quality of the metalwork. However, properly maintained fluids will perform consistently and last longer. This reduces the need for frequent changes and disposal, which in turn can save costs and reduce environmental impact.
How Broughton Lubricants can help
At Broughton Lubricants we understand that an inspection from the HSE can be alarming, but we are keen to help our customers prepare, by offering the support and advice they need to stay safe and be compliant with the law when working with metalworking fluids. Our technical experts are always on hand to advise you on the specifics of your application, which can help you to ensure your implementation of health and safety policies is compliant with HSE requirements.
Here are some other simple steps you can take to improve the health and safety of your operating environment:
- Download the UKLA metalworking fluids good practice guide.
- Register to receive updates from the HSE work right campaign.
- Refer to our helpful Certas Lubricant Solutions: Operators Guide To Using Metalworking Fluids for additional help and troubleshooting.
- Look out for useful free webinars offered by the UKLA and HSE
- Refer to the product data sheet or consult your Application Specialist if you are unsure of the correct working parameters
Beyond advice and guidance, our new Fluid Command system is the go-to solution for businesses that want to maintain records of compliance with health and safety law. It is designed to record and manage metalworking fluid monitoring data, with easy access to trend analysis and a traffic-light warning system that highlights risks and suggests corrective action.
This can help with compliance in a number of ways: it provides evidence you can supply to HSE in the event of an inspection, highlights areas where you can make improvements to both safety and performance, and allows you to demonstrate your commitment to best-practice health and safety procedures.
Fluid Command addresses some of the most common challenges associated with fluid monitoring by keeping data in one place, where it is easy to access and use. With a built-in calendar, it can help you to follow maintenance schedules and alert you when you are due for a site visit from one of our application specialists. As such, it is the perfect way for businesses to maintain compliance in light of HSE’s Work Right campaign ahead of any inspections that may take place.
To learn more about Fluid Command, compliance with health and safety law, or how Broughton Lubricants is supporting the Work Right campaign, get in touch with our team today. Call us on 03300 555 655 or use our online enquiry form to send your query by email today.
