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Metalworking Fluids and Respiratory Disease
This article represents a brief summary and MLS’ interpretation of the new HSE Guidelines concerning respiratory health risks associated to Metalworking Lubricants.
For more details and advise on how to fully comply with the latest regulations, please click the link to Contact Us.
Background
As a part of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) ‘Disease Reduction Programme’ respiratory diseases caused by inhalation of Metalworking Fluids, are to be targeted as an area in need of great improvement within the metalworking industry.
This change in industry guidelines has occurred in light of the 101 cases of respiratory disease, namely extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) and occupational asthma (OA) at Powertrain Ltd, Longbridge, Birmingham.
The HSE has determined that workers elsewhere in this sector should get better protection against contracting these diseases, which have the potential to seriously impair the breathing and health of those affected by them.
The principal finding of the HSE at Powertrain were;
- The investigation into the problems occurred far to late, beginning more than one year after the peak of the outbreak of respiratory problems.
- The respiratory problems have been directly linked to the bacteria present within the metalworking fluids used on site.
- The respiratory problems occurred while the metalworking fluids were apparently within existing HSE good practice guides.
Conclusions and Highlighted Risks
Recognition has now been given of the increased risk of serious respiratory disease, namely extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) and occupational asthma (OA), arising from metalworking and wash fluids and that COSHH and other risk assessments on site must fully acknowledge them.
a) New Monitoring Guidelines
Direct means of monitoring bacterial contamination, such as dipslides, are essential to check the condition of fluids.
Close attention needs to be paid to cleaning metalworking and wash machines and checking that cleaning has been effective, by, for example, using dipslides, or other means of measurement.
b) Problems of Misting
Importantly, there is no agreed health-based limit for exposure to mist. Therefore the application of COSHH criteria for respiratory health surveillance to those exposed to metalworking and wash fluid mist should not be dependent upon guidance values
c) Increasing awareness with all on-site personnel
Awareness of the risk of serious respiratory disease from metalworking and wash fluids has to be raised among all involved: employees, employers, as well as occupational health and health and safety practitioners;
New Practical Requirements Highlighted from the HSE for Managing Risks
- All large users (defined as organisations using more than 1000 litres of concentrate per annum), must perform a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to deal with the risks of occupational asthma and extrinsic allergic alveolitis.
- Direct means of measuring bacterial contamination of both metalworking and associated fluids, e.g washing machines, should be used in conjunction with other checks on fluid quality, e.g. fluid concentration and pH. There are several techniques that can be used which MLS can advise and support you on.
- Exposure to mist needs to be prevented or better controlled; and health surveillance must be carried out where there is exposure to mist.
- Ensure that, as a minimum, a responsible person carries out the required health surveillance.
- Conduct asthma health checks, referring anyone affected by exposure to a competent occupational health professional, i.e Works doctor / G.P
- Prompt action must be taken after any diagnosis to identify the likely cause and ensure it is prevented or adequately controlled, while keeping all workers informed.
For further details, please refer to: http://www.hse.gov.uk/metalworking/index.htm or contact MLS