Page 22 - MetalForming June 2017

Lubricant Labeling
Chemicals that are flammable, self- heating or self-reactive, or organic
peroxides, are identified with this flame pictogram.
such as chemicals that may be car- cinogenic, cause mutagenicity and/or reproductive toxicity, are respiratory sensitizers, or cause target organ tox- icity and/or aspiration
ufacturers, many are safe to use while others may require warning labels on the lubricant packaging. If some of the chemicals in your plant have such warn- ing labels, find out why. Also be sure to understand usage restraints, methods or means of overexposure, and how to minimize these risks with proper use and controls. Consult with your lubri- cant supplier as to the warnings or dan- gers related to their products—there may be alternative products that are safer to use while still performing the needed functions.
There are many “tried and true” lubricants that have been used for many years. And, additive technology has evolved in recent years, as have health and safety standards and clas- sification systems. With the pace of innovation and change within the lubricant industry, if you have been performing operations or tasks the same way for the last several years, chances are there are better ways.
Years ago, petroleum-based soluble oils were the norm in stamping plants. While performance in the tooling was excellent, some negative downstream effects resulted. For example, oily parts often were sent to welding operations, which created smoke and poor weld quality. And, increased cleaning costs associated with soluble oils, as well as part quality, could increase post-pro- cessing costs.
With the introduction of modern synthetic forming lubricants, parts can move directly from stamping to weld-
ing, creating better weld quality, minimal to no smoke and a safer environment for oper- ators. Additionally, with synthetic technology, parts are easier to clean and do not require as much heat or chemicals to
The corrosion pictogram identifies chemicals that may
cause skin corrosion or burns, eye damage, or are corrosive to
metals.
15) Regulatory
information— toxicity.
Safety, health
and environ- mental regulations not indicated else- where on the SDS
16) Other information— Date of preparation or revision and other useful information.
Targeted: Hazard Identification (via Pictograms)
While all sections of the SDS are important to understand, the one that is new for the GHS SDS format is Sec- tion 2—Hazard Identification. The use of the previously required Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) has been replaced by GHS hazard clas- sification, signal words, and pictograms.
The GHS does not require the use of HMIS ratings, which ranked chem- ical from 0 (safe) to 4 (most hazardous). That system conflicted with other rank- ing systems used internationally, where a 4 rating represented a safe chemical and a 0 rating indicated a chemical as hazardous. While some chemical man- ufacturers still include this information in their SDS, it can be confusing to use both systems.
OSHA now requires an understand- ing of the GHS hazard-classification system by all personnel in contact with workplace chemicals. Manufacturers and suppliers should educate users so that they understand the new GHS sys- tem. The nine pictograms OSHA has adopted, which find use worldwide, aim to improve worker knowledge, safety and health. Note—most metal- formers will use only four of these pic- tograms:
• Exclamation point—Irritants (skin and eye), skin sensitizers, acute toxicity agents (harmful), have narcotic effects, respiratory-tract irritants, or are haz- ardous to the ozone layer.
• Exploding heart—Health hazards,
• Flame— Chemicals that are flammable, self- heating or self- reac- tive, or organic peroxides. • Corrosion pictograms — Chemicals that may cause skin corrosion or burns, eye damage, or
are corrosive to metals.
Signal Words, Too
Along with the pictograms, warning labels will include an accompanying signal word—“Warning” for less severe hazards, or “Danger” for the more severe hazards. The intent is to alert the user to potential hazards listed on the label, and the severity of the hazard.
Metalforming-plant personnel, by reviewing the pictograms and signal words accompanying their lubricant packages, then can review the appro- priate hazard and precautionary state- ments, which detail the nature of the chemical’s hazards. “May cause an allergic skin reaction” is a frequently used example.
A detailed understanding of all four parts of a chemical’s SDS is key to ensuring worker safety and proper use of the chemical. For a more detailed explanation, review the chemical’s full SDS. A good source for additional infor- mation is the online OHSA Briefs: www.osha.gov/Publications/ OSHA3514.html.
Changes in Lubricant Composition
20 MetalForming/June 2017
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Through
years, lubricant sup-
pliers have continued to
innovate, using newly devel-
oped additives for a variety of purposes, including to enhance worker safety. Among the thousands of additives available to lubricant man-
the