I will never forget the day the really nice Metalworking Fluid salesman came to visit me at our Dallas factory.  He was telling me about his two little daughters and how difficult it was to have hip replacement surgery and not be able to play with them.  His recovery had been difficult and he was walking slowly with a slight limp.  I felt bad for him.  He was taller than me, and ten years younger. I was a healthy competitive bodybuilder, and this poor guy, newly wed, new father, was dealing with hip replacement surgery.  He was easy to like.  After our extended personal visit, it was time to visit the shop.  I had asked for his company's help because I had only been placed in charge of the metalworking fluids a week earlier.  Our program was the very definition of out-of-control, with some 23 different metalworking fluid products onsite, unknown, unmanaged, and with machinist mixing and mis-mixing their own fluids.  Everything was wrong with it.

As we entered the shop, we stepped gingerly down the 3 steps from the offices.  On his third step into the shop, I watched in horror as my handicapped salesman slipped in the metalworking fluid that was all over the shop floor.  He instantly and perfectly did the spilts, slamming his pelvis on the ground.  It was one of those moments in life when things just happen quickly in front of your eyes, and even though you are two feet away, there is nothing you can do about it.  I couldn't believe what had just happened.  I didn't know if I should run to call for an ambulance or stay there with him.  He was holding his torso in an upright position with both hands like a gymnast.  I was afraid the new titanium socket must have penetrated the skin and would be sticking out of his pants.  He might bleed to death no matter what I did.  He slowly turned his head up towards me and said "I think I'm OK."   I helped him up and we stood there for several minutes.  We were both waiting for something else to happen but it didn't.  The new hip held up.  No blood.  He was OK.  Unbelievable.  I wondered if he could have done that before the surgery.  If I had done that, I would have needed surgery.  There was no way I could have gotten up from that.  Two things were certain; 1) we would be getting this problem under control, and 2) this man was going to be selling me a lot of metalworking fluid.

If you are using Metalworking Fluids you risk having a slippery floor.  Tanks overflow with foam, machines mist, residue or carryover of MWF with components drips everywhere.  It all might end up to floor getting oily, wet and slippery. Slipping on a surface can take just a fraction of a second, while the consequences could last for a lifetime. Broken bones, lost reputation, fines, penalties, and civil litigation are some of the possible outcomes. It’s practically impossible to keep the floors dry all the times and precautions must be taken. HSE provides a “Oil Leak Plan.”  The article is short and simple, but the story you read above is true.  This is an often overlooked hazard.  Storing drums of MWF out of the shop is the best protection.  A quality fluid dispensing station is a valuable investment.