Procedure
- never put clean fluid in a dirty sump
- don't use plain water for washing out. You may de-passivate metal surfaces and increase the corrosion risks
- prepare a permit to work for any cleaning in potentially confined spaces
- provide equipment to remove and replace sump fluids with minimum spillage
- keep absorbent material to hand in case of spillages
- follow your supplier's guidelines as well as this sheet
- avoid getting fluid or cleaning agents on skin
- provide good facilities for washing and eating/drinking refreshments away from the work activity
- treat all wastes as 'hazardous waste' for recycling or disposal
Flowchart
- check your supplier's recommendation for dosage levels and circulation times
- follow the steps in the flowchart
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is required if you are creating a mist, eg when using a high pressure water hose. Provide RPE with a UK Standard Assigned Protection Factor of at least 20, eg FFP3 or powered TH2
- provide suitable gloves - use thicker gloves which provide protection from chemical and mechanical hazards, but only when machinery is switched off
- ensure workers discard gloves that are damaged, and at the end of a cleaning session
- provide eye protection to EN 166 standard where there is a risk of splashing
- workers also need overalls
- ensure contaminated overalls are laundered before re-use
- provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when not in use
- "barrier creams" do not create a barrier but skin creams can help in washing contamination from the skin. Use a moisturising cream each time you wash your hands and use after-work creams to help replace skin oils