Controlling health risks from workplace exposure to metalworking fluids in the United Kingdom engineering industry.

Abstract

On October 15, 2002, the United Kingdom (UK) Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched new guidance for the engineering industry, aimed at reducing health risks from metalworking fluids (MWFs). This guidance was the culmination of many years of work on this subject. In the early 1990s, the UK occupational exposure standards (OES) for oil mist were 5 mg/m(-3) 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), and 10 mg/m(-3) short-term exposure limit (STEL). This was only applicable to highly refined mineral oil mists and there was no exposure limit for water-mix MWFs (emulsions, semi-synthetics, and synthetics). HSE therefore undertook to review the existing exposure limit for neat mineral oil mists (neat oils are fluids that contain highly refined mineral oils and additives, and are used neat without mixing with water) and consider developing one for water-mix MWFs. This led to the development of new air-sampling methods, a comprehensive survey, and the development of new good practice guidance in the place of statutory exposure limits. This new good practice guidance has been endorsed and launched with the help of relevant industry supplier, employer, and employee associations. The guidance builds on the philosophy of tackling health risks as a holistic approach; for example, not just tackling mist control through the use of ventilation, but also fluid selection, fluid delivery, and fluid management (fluid management means to effectively manage all aspects of the fluid, from storage and stock preparation to sump cleaning and fluid disposal, etc.). Tools, such as laminated task sheets, are provided to make it user friendly. It also demonstrates the business benefits from this approach, that managing your MWFs effectively can reduce the incidence of ill health, reduce fluid and disposal costs, increase tool life, and improve machining performance.