Safety First.

[Stephen Harris]

Hi everyone.
Just a couple bits of info for all who work on their own motors.

First, and I picked this up on you-tube from an American post.
Some Brake cleaners have chlorinated solvents in them and if you use it on the van and then decide to free a part using a flame then take great care.
When heated in a flame the chlorine turns into phosgene gas (google it!!) which was used during the first world war to kill lots of people.
If you get a lung full of it it will probably kill you so take care.

Second, and this came to me from my brother.
A chap, using a cutting disc on an angle grinder without a guard had the disc shatter. A piece severed the jugular vein in his neck an he bled to death very quickly.
Doctors at the hospital said they couldn't have saved him if he had done it on their doorstep.
Again, take care.
Regards Steve Harris

 

[Sackmycook]

Good advice there thank you. And a very serious subject. I'm reminded of the US cop who slipped a slim jim down inside a car door to assist a locked out motorist. Triggered the airbag in the door which launched the slim jim upwards, piercing his chin and brain, instant death.


On a lighter note......

 

[Dellmassive]

Grinding/ cutting discs can be so dangerous, there is a UK law for using them.

*****

Google foo.....

UK law on grinding discs (abrasive wheels) is primarily governed by the

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER),

requiring employers to ensure equipment is safe, maintained, and operated only by trained, competent personnel. Mandatory safety standards include using correct guards, inspecting wheels for damage, and adherence to HSG17 guidance.


HSE: Information about health and safety at work
HSE: Information about health and safety at work
+3


Key Legal Requirements Under PUWER:
Training & Competence: Employers must ensure anyone mounting or using abrasive wheels is adequately trained, competent, and authorized.


Safety Guards: All grinding machines must have appropriate guards to protect operators from wheel breakage.

Maintenance: Wheels must be inspected regularly to check for damage or wear.
Markings: Wheels with a diameter above 80mm must have maximum operating speed markings.

PPE: Appropriate personal protective equipment (eye, hearing, and respiratory protection) must be provided.
Risk Assessment: Employers must assess risks associated with the use of abrasive wheels.
Human Focus
Human Focus
+6


Specific Regulations & Guidance:
PUWER 1998: Covers all work equipment, specifically stating that abrasive wheels must be suitable for their intended use.
HSG17: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance document provides detailed information on safe procedures, including mounting and handling.

COSHH 2002: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations apply, particularly regarding dust inhalation.
Noise at Work Regulations 2005: Must be followed to manage noise exposure.
HSE: Information about health and safety at work

HSE: Information about health and safety at work
+4

Failure to comply can lead to serious injury, prosecutions, and heavy fines. While specific training is not legally mandated for hobbyists, it is essential in any workplace

 

[Paynewright]

Re brake cleaner, a mate has switched to bulk buying isopropanol alcohol and uses in a quality pump spray bottle. Brake cleaner is quite nasty stuff!

I’ll be following suit soon and adding to my alcohol bill!!

 

[Paynewright]

Also, brake cleaner works out about £50 for 5L whereas IPA is circa £18 for 5L

 

[drinfinity]

picked this up on you-tube from an American post

over here in Europe you will need special permission to use chlorinated solvents, so DCM and trike brake cleaners are simply not on the shelves.

 

[Dellmassive]

I just this stuff... Water based.

It's awesome, the wife even cleans the cooker with it.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-degreaser-5ltr/897jl?ref=SFAppShare

 

[Sasquatch]

PUWER is one of the least known pieces of safety legislation. You cant even ride a bicycle at work without reference to PUWERs requirements to be trained and competent.

 

[Dellmassive]

PUWER is one of the least known pieces of safety legislation. You cant even ride a bicycle at work without reference to PUWERs requirements to be trained and competent.

We do a lot of building site work.... So all of this is a daily thing...

But joblogs weekend diyer who get a grinder from b&q well have no idea if the dangers....

A fitted guard, safety goggles, gloves, covered body parts and basic training ..... Welcome to modern health and safety rules.

It makes the world a safer place, but can be annoying when I gets on the way of doing your job..... As your have for the last 20yrs.... But it's for the best.

 

[Sackmycook]

I just this stuff... Water based.

It's awesome, the wife even cleans the cooker with it.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-degreaser-5ltr/897jl?ref=SFAppShare

Great for bike chains and cassettes too

 

[Sasquatch]

We do a lot of building site work.... So all of this is a daily thing...

But joblogs weekend diyer who get a grinder from b&q well have no idea if the dangers....

A fitted guard, safety goggles, gloves, covered body parts and basic training ..... Welcome to modern health and safety rules.

It makes the world a safer place, but can be annoying when I gets on the way of doing your job..... As your have for the last 20yrs.... But it's for the best.

When I was younger and fitter I was an MTB trainer in the police, got to go all over teaching other farces, trumpton, ambo, SAR.

Ignorant bosses used to make snarky comments, but the law is the law - in the case of Stark v the Royal Mail in 2000 the high court ruled bicycles were a piece of machinery with the potential to cause serious injury or death, so PUWER applied and riders must be trained, competent, mainenance records kept, etc. They wouldn't let police drivers out without being trained, yet there was this strange resistance to training police cyclists to be safe.

We had a local councillor who was yawping off in the press about the waste of resources "teaching coppers to ride bikes" (we weren't) and completely ignorant of the fact it was a legal duty. In the end our principle instructor invited him to participate in a course, and rejigged the timetable to put defensive tactics (a bike makes a great weapon if you know how) on the first day. He didnt make it as far us lunch before making his excuses and bailing out. Similarly we had a Guardian journo on one basic patrol riders course - to be fair he survived the four days and was a bit less high and mighty onnthe subject when he wrote about it after that.

There was even a course, one of the few I wasnt qualified to teach (SAR riding was my particular specuality), for armed officers. All sorts of techniques and drills for carrying, drawing and firing on or with a bike.

None of it got in the way of doing the job, and even the tiniest things made a huge difference to safety. For example, if you hadn't been taught to do so you wouldn't automatically unclip your helmet strap when approaching a suspect, but failure you do so could leave you with a broken neck if they went rock n roll on you. Hundreds of tiny little tips and techniques, advanced road skills, off road skills, defensive tactics, nav, first aid, SAR, you name it. Most came away far better qualified riders than they were drivers.

 

[Sackmycook]

I'll put my hands up and admit, as a dog handler, when the bike squad got going in NYP, we treated them with derision. Particularly during an open day when they demonstrated a 'fend off' to an aggressive actor with their bike. Not much enthusiasm from the audience and indeed Chief Constable.
Everyone was waiting for the 42 teeth.....

 

[Sasquatch]

Fend off with a bicycle is extremely effective. Nothing dampens their ardour than a crossbar down the front of the shins or a chainwheel in the face, but landsharks are undoubtedly very entertaining!