British Lubricants Federation Metalworking Fluids Conference, May 1999

Citation

(1999), "British Lubricants Federation Metalworking Fluids Conference, May 1999", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 51 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1999.01851eab.009

British Lubricants Federation Metalworking Fluids Conference, May 1999

British Lubricants Federation Metalworking Fluids Conference, May 1999

Keyword: British Lubricants Federation, Metalworking fluids

This conference concentrated on the health risks associated with metalworking fluids and the means of assessing these risks.

The HSE Health Directorate reported the difficulties in relating Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) to health risks and therefore the establishment of a meaningful safe OEL. No OELs exist for water mix metalworking fluids (MWF) although these represent the traditional cutting fluid. HSE is reviewing the existing OEL framework and proposals for possible revision are to be made.

HSE, through the Health and Safety Laboratory, has completed a very interesting study of the actual conditions of MWFs in the workplace. Perhaps not surprisingly to those with experience of the MWF industry, a far from acceptable picture emerges. Despite all the efforts of marketers very few users seem to even trouble to check the strength of water mix fluids, let alone conduct more comprehensive tests. Apart from the potential dangers to health, clearly the performance of the fluid is not being utilised.

Microbiological issues relating to MWF were discussed in detail, the conclusion being that MWFs are highly susceptible to bacterial contamination and that exposure to these bacteria or their endotoxins can lead to health problems. Controlling the bacteria and exposure is not easy but is possible with good housekeeping.

Work done on setting legal exposure limits in North America were compared with activities in other parts of the world. All future controls do seem to require good fluid management to enable them to be met. However, setting limits and controls is not easy when virtually no evidence exists to define "safe" limits and some of the parameters concerned with the atmosphere in the workplace are so difficult to measure.

Of course product technology is not standing still, and future formulation trends were outlined taking account of what is known about the risks associated with new and used MWFs.

The conference concluded with a proposal by the British Lubricants Federation (BLF) that a Product Stewardship system should be established to ensure that all MWFs in the marketplace are formulated in accordance with current "best practice". It will be interesting to see how this initiative progresses and if MWF manufacturers are willing to provide the necessary finance.

The BLF and HSE should be congratulated on promoting this conference which emphasised the considerable work being carried out by HSE and MWF manufacturers. This should ensure that future workplace controls, voluntary or otherwise, will be based on scientific investigation rather than being set on an arbitrary basis.

A small but important point at this conference was the attendance of a number of users. The message from the conference was clear. Without good, competent, fluid management systems in place it will be difficult for users to meet future controls or, of course more importantly, minimise the risk to employees exposed to MWFs in the workplace.