Grease gun is an indispensable tool that is utilized in shop floors, auto repair stores and several other heavy duty industrial applications. The re-lubrication process is greatly simplified by the use of this tool as it injects grease at the pressures of 5000, 10,000 even 15000 psi. However, technicians using this tool need to be extensively trained. They should follow the safety rules that are mentioned in this article. Only when they understand the safety basics can operators of this device like mechanics, and shop-floor attendants protect their hands and fingers from grievous injuries.
Many auto repair-shops make extensive use of needle point fittings and often use the needle-point to puncture and fill grease in polymer-sealed bearings. A pneumatic grease gun can exert pressures of the order of 246 to 5000 psi. If the needle happens to slip and pierce the skin at this pressure, the grease can get injected inside the wrist or palm.
Lever or manually operated grease guns can exert even higher pressures of the order of 15000 psi. Experts however feel that hand operated guns are a lot safer, as compared to pneumatic or air grease guns, because they employ both hands for using the gun. This minimizes the risk to fingers and hands.
Injuries like these often begin with a sharp, pricking pain which may be negligible in the beginning. Due to this, grease gun operators tend to ignore the pain and find that their hand is swollen after a while. After a few days, the pain intensity increases and the hand/finger may even be gangrenous. Such injuries must never be ignored and medical attention must be sought as soon as possible.
Modern grease guns all come with safety accessories and fittings. But, many times these are rendered useless. Small and closed fittings which are present in tight places require the grease gun nipples to be positioned in a particular manner. Protective covers must be used whenever it is possible, especially for the sharp pointed grease guns. In fact, many countries have strict rules and laws regarding the use of such protective covers for the safety of labor. But technicians, in their hurry o grease several cars, tend to ignore these basic safety rules. Such covers often increase the time taken for greasing ans mechanics consider them a hindrance.
In many cases factors like poor lighting, dirt and grime covering the grease nipples, and wrong fittings for the nipples may also lead to severe injuries. Each of these situations can be prevented by using uncovered needle tip and keeping one's hands and fingers clear off the needle before the trigger on the gun is pressed. Operators must remember that the effects of grease under the skin can be serious and long term. So they must ensure using adequate lighting under cars and trucks and also ensure that the safety sleeves and grease nipples on the grease gun are free of dirt prior to usage.
Many auto repair-shops make extensive use of needle point fittings and often use the needle-point to puncture and fill grease in polymer-sealed bearings. A pneumatic grease gun can exert pressures of the order of 246 to 5000 psi. If the needle happens to slip and pierce the skin at this pressure, the grease can get injected inside the wrist or palm.
Lever or manually operated grease guns can exert even higher pressures of the order of 15000 psi. Experts however feel that hand operated guns are a lot safer, as compared to pneumatic or air grease guns, because they employ both hands for using the gun. This minimizes the risk to fingers and hands.
Injuries like these often begin with a sharp, pricking pain which may be negligible in the beginning. Due to this, grease gun operators tend to ignore the pain and find that their hand is swollen after a while. After a few days, the pain intensity increases and the hand/finger may even be gangrenous. Such injuries must never be ignored and medical attention must be sought as soon as possible.
Modern grease guns all come with safety accessories and fittings. But, many times these are rendered useless. Small and closed fittings which are present in tight places require the grease gun nipples to be positioned in a particular manner. Protective covers must be used whenever it is possible, especially for the sharp pointed grease guns. In fact, many countries have strict rules and laws regarding the use of such protective covers for the safety of labor. But technicians, in their hurry o grease several cars, tend to ignore these basic safety rules. Such covers often increase the time taken for greasing ans mechanics consider them a hindrance.
In many cases factors like poor lighting, dirt and grime covering the grease nipples, and wrong fittings for the nipples may also lead to severe injuries. Each of these situations can be prevented by using uncovered needle tip and keeping one's hands and fingers clear off the needle before the trigger on the gun is pressed. Operators must remember that the effects of grease under the skin can be serious and long term. So they must ensure using adequate lighting under cars and trucks and also ensure that the safety sleeves and grease nipples on the grease gun are free of dirt prior to usage.
About the Author:
Grace Gable enjoys writing about topics such as the grease gun. You can see some more information on her hub about the grease gun.
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