Folding: transforming process, non-cutting.

Potential risks with non-cutting machining operation.

For folding processes, very often supportive agents (especially lubricants) are used. They provide for minimized friction and cooling of tools. Adding such supportive agents results in the development of aerosols (coolant mist, smoke), which should be treated with caution and seen as a high-potential risk to humans and machines.

In this context, general hazards and specific risks can be distinguished. The general hazards with regard to the spreading of aerosol mist are:

  • slip hazards (e. g. on greasy, oily, wet floors),
  • fire hazards (e. g. by spreading of small fires on oily surfaces and through explosions caused by dense oil/emulsion mist),
  • development of an explosive atmosphere,
  • constant long-term health effects (e. g. by long-term inhalation of aerosols),
  • in general lower production and product quality (e. g. by dirty production processes).
  • loss in value of capital goods.

 

Specific (health) hazards caused by aerosols

Coolants are, generally speaking, complex mixtures, which contain besides oil as a basic component many other components. These are either contained deliberately (e. g. additives) or are brought into the coolant during the production process (e. g. cracked elements). The different wanted and unwanted components form the cause for specific hazards resulting from coolants:

  • chronical bronchitis and lipid pneumonia,
  • acute and chronical changes in the functioning of the lungs,
  • bronchial asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.