Lubricants Safety Measure
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Must Know Facts About Lubricants Handling
Under normal conditions of utilisation, lubricants do not present any particular risks. However, in the case of an improper handling or accidents, hazards for the health may occur.
Toxicity
Most lubricants have a low toxicity level, but the exposures to which users can be submitted are multiple. The main contact zones with the oils and greases are the eyes and the hands. A few processes may also generate oil mists whose fineness allows them to penetrate the respiratory tracts
Precautions for use
In order to reduce and to prevent accidents, the following precautions should be taken:
Contact with the skin
This is as per strict personal and industrial hygiene rules. To avoid contact with the body:
- Use oil proof gloves,
- Wear clothes with an efficient protection,
- Do not wear oil contaminated clothes,
- Solvents, such as petroleum, petrol must not be used to remove oil from the skin,
- Use a protecting cream.
Inhalation
Avoid inhaling oil mists and fumes. An efficient ventilation of premises must be installed. The acceptable limit for an oil mist is 5 mg/cm3, or even 1 mg/cm3 as it is recommended by the I.N.R.S. (Institut National de Recherche pour la Sécurité, National Safety Research Institute).
Contact with the eyes
Wearing goggles is recommended when oil spattering in the eyes is likely to occur. In case of accidental contact, flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes and contact physician if irritation persists.
Ingestion
Lubricants have a low oral toxicity level. In case of ingestion, do not cause vomiting but see a physician immediately.
Are Used Oils Hazardous For The Environment?
Used oils are hardly biodegradable; their disposal in the environment is therefore hazardous for natural systems; i.e
1L of oil pollutes 1 million liters of water
How Used Oil Gets Collected?
Used oils should be handed over to:
- An approved recycler
- An approved waste centre
- An approved final disposal agent.
- According to countries, the conditions for collection may vary. Indeed they depend both on used oil volume and legal framework.
- You should thus contact your local distributor in case you need any further information.
How Can I Reduce The Volumes Of Used Oils I Produce?
The lubricant quality is highly related to the volume of used oils that is generated. Accordingly, ENEOS products high quality lube oils which provide much longer drain interval, and so the production of waste oil is minimised.
