Opening A New Machining Shop? Handle Your Metalworking Fluids With Care

A machining shop can provide you with a solid source of income and let you contribute high-quality products to your local area. However, new owners may not realize the problems caused by storing and using metalworking fluids and coolant for machining. The following considerations are essential for anyone who is starting up their own shop.

Lengthy Storage Times Change Your Metalworking Fluids

The biggest mistake made by most machining shops is storing their metalworking fluids for excessively long periods. While you're not likely to need a whole bottle of this fluid right away, storing it for too long can cause it to build up high levels of nitrosamines. These fluids are carcinogenic when inhaled or exposed to mucus membranes.

Thankfully, these compounds are minimized when you use your metalworking fluids immediately. That's because they have no time to build up inside of the fluid. That's why it's a good idea to only buy as much fluid as you need for a month or so. Storing them for a year or longer can make them dangerous to use. Check the expiration date on your bottles and never use them past that date. 

These Changes Can Cause Health Concerns

Metalworking fluids are designed to minimize the dangers that they can potentially cause to machining workers. When used properly and handled with care, they are nearly completely safe. However, the changes that occur when storing them for an extended period can cause them to have problematic side effects. For example, skin exposure can cause irritation, allergic reaction, and even burning sensations.

Exposure to the mist of these fluids can cause problems such as bronchitis, irritation of the throat, and even pain in the eyes. In some instances, these health effects can be more severe. Paying attention to proper handling and safety procedures minimizes these risks and makes your new machine shop as safe as possible for your workers.

Staying Safe When Using These Items

Understanding the proper handling and use of these machining fluids is essential for ensuring your employee safety. For example, they must wear face shields, splash goggles, and shields when handling or using these items. It isn't necessary to wear them while working on a machine but only when moving or pouring this liquid. When adding it to a machine, a ventilator is a must need to avoid inhalation.

After applying these liquids, it is a good idea to open the windows of the shop and to let it air out for a few hours. Place small fans through the shop to push air mist out into the open. Here, they will dissipate and become safer. It is also possible to install air filters through the shop that will collect this mist and protect your workers from harm.

When opening up a new machining shop, it is essential to understand the nature of these fluids and how to keep your workers safe. These simple guidelines are proper for every type of machining shop and should cost you little money to implement.