9 Safety Section General Hazard Information Fluid Penetration Asbestos Information g00687600 Illustration 6 g00702022 Illustration 7 Always use a board or cardboard when you check for a leak. Leaking fluid that is under pressure can penetrate body tissue. Fluid penetration can cause serious injury and possible death. A pin hole leak can cause severe injury. If fluid is injected into your skin, you must get treatment immediately. Seek treatment from a doctor that is familiar with this type of injury. Caterpillar equipment and replacement parts that are shipped from Caterpillar are asbestos free. Caterpillar recommends the use of only genuine Caterpillar replacement parts.
Use the following guidelines when you handle any replacement parts that contain asbestos or when you handle asbestos debris. Containing Fluid Spillage Use caution. Avoid inhaling dust that might be generated when you handle components that contain asbestos fibers. Inhaling this dust can be hazardous to your health. The components that may contain asbestos fibers are brake pads, brake bands, lining material, clutch plates, and some gaskets. The asbestos that is used in these components is usually bound in a resin or sealed in some way. Normal handling is not hazardous unless airborne dust that contains asbestos is generated.
Care must be taken in order to ensure that fluids are contained during performance of inspection, maintenance, testing, adjusting and repair of the engine. Prepare to collect the fluid with suitable containers before opening any compartment or disassembling any component containing fluids. Refer to Special Publication, NENG2500, “Tools and Shop Products Guide” for the following items: If dust that may contain asbestos is present, there are several guidelines that should be followed: Tools that are suitable for collecting fluids and equipment that is suitable for collecting fluids Never use compressed air for cleaning. Avoid brushing materials that contain asbestos.
Tools that are suitable for containing fluids and equipment that is suitable for containing fluids Avoid grinding materials that contain asbestos. Obey all local regulations for the disposal of liquids. Use a wet method in order to clean up asbestos materials. A vacuum cleaner that is equipped with a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) can also be used. Use exhaust ventilation on permanent machining jobs. Wear an approved respirator if there is no other way to control the dust.