The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of complying with the law on controlling substances hazardous to health, with particular focus on machining with metal-working fluids.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) requires employers to ensure that exposure to metal-working fluids is adequately managed and controlled.
In conjunction with the HSE, the guidance states that when machining with metal-working fluids, the maintenance of fluid quality is key to controlling risk.
Sheffield-based Eclipse Magnetics (
www.eclipsemagnetics.com) has in-depth knowledge in the maintenance of metal-working fluids, including safe handling and disposal.
As stated in ‘MW5, COSHH essentials for machining with metal-working fluids,’ employers are required to “remove fines using centrifuges, filtration systems or magnetic separators (for ferrous materials)”.
Nigel Hampson, Eclipse Magnetics sales manager for filtration, said: “Eclipse Magnetics knows that the maintenance of metal-working fluids is absolutely essential to prevent ill health in machine workshops.
"In accordance with HSE and COSHH guidelines, magnetic filtration is an effective way to maintain metal-working fluids by reducing contamination, minimising microbial growth, decreasing the need for biocides, and reducing cleaning risks.
"The latest restriction on biocide use means that the maintenance of metal-working fluids has never been more important; contamination including swarf metal fines can increase the risk of microbial growth, making its effective removal an absolute must.”
Eclipse Magnetics has published a White Paper on “The Safe Handling of Metalworking Fluids”; this explores the risks of metal-working fluids to operators and goes into detail regarding the legal responsibility of employers in relation to The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
It also contains information on ensuring compliance with the UK Lubricants Association’s good-practice guide for the safe handling and disposal of metal-working fluids, compiled in conjunction with the Metalworking Fluid Product Stewardship Group and the Health and Safety Executive.