B Safety – Safety instructions 9 page Solvents Fluids that (as opposed to water) dissolve grease, paint, lacquer, wax, oil, adhesive, rubber, etc. are called organic solvents. Exam- ples: White (petroleum) spirits, gasoline, thinner, alcohols, diesel, xy- lene, trichloroethylene, toluene. Many solvents are flammable and constitute a fire hazard. Risks Products containing solvents produce vapors that can cause dizzi- ness, headaches and nausea.They may also irritate mucous mem- branes in the throat and respiratory tracts. If the solvent comes into direct contact with the skin, this may cause drying and cracking.Risk for skin allergies increases.
Solvents may also cause injury if they penetrate through the skin and are absorbed by the blood. If the body is continuously exposed to solvents, the nervous system may be damaged. Symptoms include sleep disorders, depressions, nervousness, poor memory or general tiredness and fatigue. Contin- uous inhalation of gasoline and diesel fumes is suspected to cause cancer. Safety precautions Avoid inhaling solvent fumes by providing good ventilation, or wear- ing a fresh-air mask or respiratory device with a suitable filter for the toxic gases. Never leave a solvent container without tight-sealing lid. Use solvents with low content of aromatic substances. This reduces the risk of injuries.
Avoid skin contact. Use protective gloves. Make sure that work clothes are solvent-resistant. page Fire and explosion risks Examples of explosion-prone substances are oils, petrol, diesel fuel, organic solvents (lacquer, plastic, cleaning agents), rustproofing agents, welding gas, gas for heating (acetylene), high concentration of dust particles of combustible materials. Rubber tyres are highly flammable and cause fires that spread explosively.
Risks Examples of causes of ignition include welding, cutting, smoking, sparks produced by grinding, inflammable materials coming into contact with hot machine parts, the generation of heat in rags satu- rated with oil or paint (linseed oil) and oxygen.Oxygen cylinders, lines and valves must be kept free from oil and grease. Fumes from gasoline, for example, are heavier than air and can thus “run down” a sloping grade, or down into a grease pit, where weld- ing flames, grinding sparks or a burning cigarette can cause an ex- plosion. Evaporated gasoline has a very powerful explosive force. UDRF01.04GB Maintenance manual DRF 400–450