The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) recently published a fact sheet aimed at preventing work-related injuries caused by the use of biological degreasing stations. These degreasing stations are used for manually removing grease from metal parts, among other things, in motor vehicle garages and mechanical maintenance shops.
The biological degreasing fluids (degreasers) used replace traditional solvent-based products, which are much more toxic and flammable substances. However, certain precautions must be taken if these biological degreasers are to be used safely. While they contain bacteria that are generally harmless, other bacteria may be introduced inadvertently, for example, by dirt found on the parts themselves. These other bacteria can contaminate the degreaser and pose a moderate risk of infection.
Using the evidence-based data taken from a study of the risks related to these bacterial preparations, this fact sheet describes biological degreasing stations, the health effects and risks associated with the bacteria they contain, and the preventive measures to be taken in the workplaces concerned.
The fact sheet also contains a small poster designed for display near biological degreasing stations in full view of the workers. Above all, it stresses that workers should:
- wear nitrile gloves and long-sleeved work clothing to protect their skin;
- wear safety goggles to protect their eyes; use a face shield if their face risks being splashed;
- follow personal hygiene rules;
- never wash their hands in the biological degreasing station.
Anyone interested can download the fact sheet free of charge at http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/PubIRSST/RF-855.pdf. It also contains recommendations about the use of air blow guns to dry parts that have been cleaned using the degreaser.
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Source
Jacques Millette
Public Affairs publiques
IRSST