The HSE guidance HSG231: Working Safely with Metalworking Fluids: Good Practice Manual has been developed with considerable input from industry trade bodies such as: - British Lubricants Federation (UKLA w/e Jan 2005) – Metalworking Fluid Product Stewardship Group, who endorsed its contents and the principles of good practice contained in it, The Engineering Employers Federation, Energy Institute (was Institute of Petroleum), Machine Technologies Association (was MTTA), Amicus - AEEU and Envirowise. In addition, the MWF PSG agrees with and fully supports the HSE initiatives to give a better control of metalworking fluids.

The recommendations given in this guidance are seen as ‘Best Practice’. Users of metalworking fluids who takes steps to follows the principles in this guidance will find real benefits in terms of reduced ill health, as well as prolonged fluid life, increased tool life, and improved machining performance. Adopting ‘Best Practice’ produces a ‘Win-Win’ situation. End-user companies should see other important benefits, such as improvements to their ‘financial bottom line’ - due to cost reductions, potentially less sick leave and improved productivity. It is important to facilitate a revitalisation of health and safety practices by closely working with the engineering sector to improve standards, control and reduce the cases of work-related ill health and the number of working days lost. Your fluid supplier, as member of the MWF PSG, can give you more information.

EDUCATING ‘END-USERS’, MAINLY SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED CUSTOMERS (SMEs).

Although the HSE and UKLA new websites areas are a good first step in educating end-users, we want to do more.

Our current ideas include the following,

UKLA MWF-PS group suggests a multi-level approach to reach MWF users: -

• Educating the MWF user’s senior management, stressing the importance of conducting regular ‘risk assessments’ for MWFs;
• Educating the middle management staff responsible for MWFs;
• Educating the machine operators. Different approaches may be needed to ensure success and these may require different media;
• A mail-shot (letter) may be enough to reach the top level -senior management;
• Middle management staff responsible for MWFs may require more help and this could include a DVD and / or access to the UKLA MWF-PS web site, and
• For machine operators, industry standard information multi-page labels on packages have been suggested as a way to present detailed ‘Best Practice’ pointers to generate curiosity and initiate upward pressure on user management to adopt ‘Best Practice’ for MWFs.

A UKLA Working Group will develop this concept further.

See the Health and Safety Executive Metalworking Guidance website for further guidance on LINKS PAGE