Paul Littley (former Chair of the PSG for a number of years) recalls the excellent collaborative work with members of the HSE and the Health and Safety Laboratory. ‘‘There was a true two-way dialogue from all experts, the group shared the latest research papers and supported the events promoting Working Safely with MWF and highlighting what was thought to be best practice. This included having stands at major exhibitions like MACH, and giving talks promoting safety to the Metal working Industry.
Thanks to members subscriptions fully funded research could be carried out. One excellent project from this period was titled “clean air in the workplace a study of automated particle counters”.
With the advent of smaller, low-rise factories, often having reduced airflow (to conserve heating energy in the factory), LEV became even more important. The group wanted to establish if hand-held particle counters were suitable for measuring coolant mist and could be used to map sources and coolant mist levels in the factory, thus enabling records and then improvement plans to be implemented on site to reduce potential exposure to coolant mist. The study was carried out by the Health & Safety Laboratory now part of HSE, and resulted in the narrowing down of suitable particle counters. The study showed that certain counters were suitable to look for mist hot spots and could assist in a practical way.
The group’s current activities include developing and updating the Good Practice Guidance in the Safe Handling and Disposal of Metalworking Fluids, managing a series of videos on metalworking fluid handling, working with educational institutes on promoting good practice in engineering centres, forging closer links with associated industry bodies and expanding its reach into workshops and factories.
Today, the issues about safeguarding end users and managing metalworking fluids safely and responsibly, remain the same. Group members are more informed about the hazards of using metalworking fluids but also acutely aware of the enormous benefits and potential they bring to our customers.
ukla.org.uk/metalworking-fluid-product- stewardship-group/
www.ukla.org.uk www.youtube.com/@UKLAMetalworkingFluidGroup/
Past Chairs of the UKLA Metalworking Fluid Product Stewardship Group
Cliff Betton, Castrol, 2000 - 2001 Bert Boomkamp, Cimcool, 2002 - 2006 Kevin Goulden, Houghton, 2006 - 2008 Paul Whitehead, Castrol, 2008 - 2009 David Neadle, Consultant, 2009 - 2011 Paul Littley, Fuchs, 2011 - 2016 Kevin Duncan, Cargill, 2016 – 2023 Stuart Duff, Q8Oils, 2023 -
Our thanks go to Rob Stubbs formerly of Polartech, Paul Littley formerly of Fuchs, and Brian Tuohey of Italmatch in the preparation of this article.
Good practice guidance in the safe handling and disposal of metalworking fluid
The UKLA Metalworking Fluid Product Stewardship Group, in conjunction with HSE, introduce a series of videos to promote best practice in looking after your metalworking fluids.
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.188 AUGUST 2025
49
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