Publisher's Note

Across all industries, safety should be the most signifcant consideration in getting work accomplished. Regardless of how urgent maintenance or a repair might be, it must be completed in a safe manner.

While many people do not think of the safety implications of lubrication, they certainly exist. Routine lubrication such as top-ups and greasing normally occur around moving equipment. When you are near machines that rotate or move, you must exercise caution to avoid getting yourself or a tool caught in the nip points. You could easily be hurt by coming into contact with a fast-rotating shaft or having a fnger trapped between two meshing surfaces. Most equipment will have guards in place to ensure people stay out of these potentially dangerous areas.

As you walk around equipment, you may notice an occasional oil leak on the floor. Not only are they costly in terms of make-up fluid and contaminant ingress, but they also pose a danger for slips, trips and falls. Stage spill-containment equipment and material throughout your plant so it will be easily accessible. All staff should also be trained on how to use these materials and on the company’s policy for disposing of lubricant waste.

Normal oil sample extraction is performed with dedicated sample valves. The valve is a safety device to help reduce the risks associated with collecting a sample from a pressurized system. In equipment such as hydraulics where the fluid pressure can be very high, it is best to use a pressurereducing sample valve. Tis will lower the pressure of the oil stream so it will be safer and easier to capture in a sample bottle.

There are also risks related to greases at high pressures. In some cases, the connection between the ftting and the grease gun coupler is the easiest place for the grease to go.

Lubrication is a hands-on job, so the last safety tip involves lubricants coming into contact with skin. You must minimize this contact by using gloves or barrier creams and washing off lubricants with soap and water. Although there isn’t a great risk of contact with lubricants, certain synthetics and additives present some health concerns. Lube safety is largely common sense, but always check the lubricant’s safety data sheets to determine how it should be handled.

We would like to thank our readers for the great response to our previous edition’s cover story – “Monitoring Lubricants in the Digital Era” and other articles.

Our current issue’s cover story is “Risk Management for Lubricated Machines” which will help our readers to know about the key proactive and preventative actions to minimize or eliminate risks.

As always, we look forward to your valuable suggestions and feedback.

Warm regards,

Udey Dhir