The replacement of engine oil invol ves two separate phases: the emptying of the used oil and the subsequent filling with the new oil. For the emptying of motor oil, the vehicle is raised on the hydraulic lift or placed over the inspection hole. The collecting pan is placed under the oil sump and a hand tool is used to open the screw. After emptying, the oil sump screw is put back, th e vehicle is bought to floor level, the bonnet is opened and the motor oil cap is removed for filling. The oil new may be in tins (as occurs at service stations) or taken from barrels with pumps for transfer to smaller containers (cans or similar). Other operations consist in the replacement of the engine oil filter, the replacement of the air filter and the replacement of sparkplugs.
EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
Container for recovery of used oil with compressed air emptying system
RISK FACTORS
Handling of oil
The oil used in cars is mineral oil which generally has a variable composition. In generalm used oil for internal combustion engine contains hydrocarbons, paraffin, naphthene compounds, aromatic compounds, mononucleates and polynucleates. For petrol engines the increase of IPA is up to 1000 time with concentrati on of benzopyrene up to 71 mg/Kg. The increase of IPA seems to be due to petrol combustion products. Used oil may be contaminated by lead up to 1%.
EXPECTED AND RECORDED HARM
Pathologies from the use oil
Motor oil contains a class of compounds with risks of acute harm (allergies, dermatitis) and chronic harm (cancer), besides psychological pr oblems for always having dirty hands. Dermatitis from skin contact may also occur from the use of solvents and soap that de-grease the skin. Oil in long-term contact with the skin (e.g. overalls soiled with oil) may cause folliculitis (inflammations due to the penetration of oil in the fat present in the follicles, favouring bacterial growth).
Petroleum products such as heavy oil may cause ch aracteristic diseases such as "oil buttons", a dermatosi occurring on the forearms, chest and thighs. The oil acts on the follicular openings, producing hypercheratosis with the closing of sebaceous flows in the follicles. There may also be various types of dermatitis or allergies due to the additives used. Used oil, due to the high content of aromatic and benzopyrene compounds, may cause skin cancer. The disease occurs initially with scaling, and then dermatitis which after prolonged exposure degenerates into skin cancer. Used oil has also been blamed on cancer of the scrotum. This cancer may be due to continuous contact of the scrotum with oily clothing; th e scrotum contains many sebaceous glands and therefore fats in which the lubricants may dissolve. In a French case study the correlation between scrotum cancer and the presence of large amounts of benzopyrene in the oil used has been documented in two workers.
In general, with regard to the cancer-causing features of oil, the IARC has established in two major categorie:s
- not heavily refined: classified as undoubtedly cancer-causing for man (Group 1).
- heavily refined: classified am ong the substances for which an opinion on cancer-causing cannot be established (Group 3).
However, the European Union, in classifying the products derived fro m petroleum and coal (obviously including mineral oil) has used differe nt criteria from refining alone. The mixtures to which a single CAS identification number and a single EC index number have been assigned, classifying approximately 600 substances as cancer-causing (R45) unless the producer can show
that they contain (Pres. Dec. n. 52/97):
less than 0.1% weight/wei ght of 1,3-butadiene
less than 0,1% weight/weight of benzene
less than 3% of DMSO (Dimethyl suphur ox ide) extract according IP 346 standards
less than the 0.005% weight/weigh t of benzo- (a) pyrene
or if the producer, knowing the entire refining cycl e, can show that the substance from which the product is derived is not cancer-causing.
Besides physical harm, the psyc hological aspects should not be underestimated, especially for young workers. The skin of the hands, when constantly in contact with these substances, tends to absorb them. Therefore it becomes very difficult to clean the hands, with evident psychological consequences when the worker is outside the work environment.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Prevention during use of oil
For removing used oil it is necessary to use all precautions for avoiding spilling and soiling. In particular, collection trays on mobile waterproof containers may be used, with subsequent emptying by compressed air (see photo). For putting in new oil, prevention consists in the first place in the use of the least dangerous type of oil, i.e. heavily refined (it is thus essential to read the label and safety data cards, which must be correctly filled in). In any case n ecessary soiling must be avoided. Adequate information and training of workers is therefore necessa ry, with the use of individual protective devices such as gloves and aprons, and to avoid keeping in oily rags or using oily gloves.
Spilling of used oil on the ground
When changing the oil of vehicles any spilling, spreading and percolati on should be avoided. The replacement of used oil and operations filling up the oil must be conducted in conditions of maximum safety and hygiene in order to avoid careless operations or inadequate equipment from leading to spreading and spilling of oil on the ground or in the water. Since motorists often buy the oil themeselves at shops and supermarkers, the mechanics who change oil should explain to the customer that the oil is harmful to the environment and can harm everyone's health; all precautions and professional skills necessary for properly conducting this work should therefore be used.
Before of delivery firm specialised firm, the used oil should be stored properly and in safe conditions for environment and for workers. Containers preventing risks of breakage and spilling should therefore be used. Containers suited a this purpose must comply with precise rules. In particular they must be equipped with:
Suitable closing to prevent leakage of the contents;
Accessories and devices designed for filling and emptying in safe conditions;
Containment basins in case of breakage or spilling;
Holding devices to ensure safe handling operations.
The arrangement of containers must be designed in order to avoid any accidental hitting and other serious problems.
When the maximum of the oil container used is almost reached, call exclusively the person representing the "Consorzio Obbligatorio degli oli saausti" and deliver the oil in safe conditions (the delivery of unpolluted oil to the used oil Consortium is free of charge), paying the utmost attention to the handling of containers and the work situation of the operations of transferring the liquid. Employers must therefore provide adequate instructions to employee and apprentices for the correct handling of used oil for purposes of environmental protection, without ne glecting regulations for protection of health and sa fety. The oil is a source of risks (sli pping, fire, poisoning) that must be assessed and reduced according to regulations set forth in the relevant legislative decrees 626/94 and 242/96.
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