Metalworking Fluids

Metalworking fluids is the name given to a range of oils and other liquids that are used to cool and lubricate metalwork when being machined. Metalworking fluids are classified as either:

• Straight Oil or “neat oils” (not meant to be diluted with water, and may contain highly refined petroleum, animal, marine, vegetable or synthetic oils)
• Soluble Oil (highly refined petroleum oils, and emulsifiers)
• Semi-Synthetic Fluids and Synthetic Fluids (which may include detergent-like components)

Soluble Oil, Semi-Synthetic Fluids and Synthetic Fluids are diluted with water before use. All metalworking fluids classes may contain additives such as stabilizers, biocides, dispersants, dyes, and odorants.

Metalworking fluids can cause adverse health effects through skin contact with contaminated materials, spray, or mist and through inhalation from breathing metalworking fluids mist or aerosol.  Skin and airborne exposures to metalworking fluids have been found to cause health problems including irritation of the skin, lungs, eyes, nose and throat. Conditions such as dermatitis, acne, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, and a variety of cancers have been associated with exposure to metalworking fluids. The severity of health problems is dependent on a variety of factors such as the kind of fluid, the degree and type of contamination, and the level and duration of the exposure.

For more information refer to the OSHA publication Metalworking Fluids: Safety and Health Best Practices Manual.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 7:45 am and is filed under Safety Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.