Handling hazardous materials

Heated paint

WARNING!

All paint decomposes when heated and forms compounds which may be irritating and after long or frequent exposure also very unhealthy.

Heated paint gives off poisonous gases. Therefore, paint must be removed from an area with a radius of at least 10 cm (4 in) before carrying out welding, grinding or gas cutting. In addition to the health hazard, the weld will be of inferior quality and strength, which, in the future, may cause the weld to break.

Methods and precautionary measures when removing paint

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Q Blasting – use respiratory protective equipment and protective goggles Paint remover or other chemicals – use a portable air extractor, respiratory protective equipment and protective gloves

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Grinding machine – use a portable air extractor, respiratory protective equipment and protective gloves and goggles Never burn painted parts after they have been discarded. They should be disposed of by a licensed disposal plant.

Heated rubber and plastics

Polymer materials can, when heated, form compounds which are dangerous to health and environment and must therefore never be burned when scrapped.

If gas cutting or welding is to be carried out near such materials, the following safety instructions must be followed:

– Protect the material from heat. – Use protective gloves, protective goggles and respiratory protective equipment.

Heated fluoro-carbon rubber

WARNING!

Certain seals which are designed to withstand high operating temperatures, e.g. in engine, main control valve, hydraulic motor and pumps may be made from fluoro-carbon rubber. When heated to high temperatures, fluoro-carbon rubber decomposes to hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid, which is strongly corrosive on skin and respiratory tracts.

When handling a machine which has been damaged by fire or been exposed to intense heat, the following measures should be taken:

Q Q Use thick, rubber gloves and wear protective goggles. Discard gloves, rags and other items that have been in contact with heated fluoro-carbon rubber after first having washed these items in lime water (a solution of calcium hydroxide, i.e. slaked lime in water).

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Q The area around a part which has been very hot and which may be made of fluoro-carbon rubber should be decontaminated by thorough and ample washing with lime water. As a precaution, all seals (O-rings and other oil seals) should be handled as if they were made of fluoro-carbon rubber. The hydrofluoric acid may remain on the machine parts for several years after a fire. If swelling, redness or a stinging feeling appears and one suspects that the cause may be contact with heated fluoro-carbon rubber, contact a medical doctor immediately. Several hours may pass, however, before any symptoms appear and there is no immediate warning.

Q The acid cannot be rinsed or washed off from the skin. Treat instead with Hydrofluoric Acid Burn Jelly or similar before contacting a medical doctor.

Refrigerant

NOTE! All kinds of service on the air conditioning unit must be carried out by accredited workshops by, or under the guidance of, a person in a leading position with certified competence.

WARNING!

Refrigerant R134a easily causes frost-bite if it comes into contact with bare skin. When heated, gases are formed, which can be harmful to lungs and nervous system.

The air conditioning unit of the machine is filled with refrigerant R134a at the factory. R134a has no harmful influence on the ozone layer, but contributes, however, to the greenhouse effect and must therefore never intentionally be released into open air.

IMPORTANT! R134a must never be mixed with another kind of refrigerant, e.g. R12, as this leads to a breakdown of the unit.

In case of contact with escaping refrigerant, the following measures should be taken:

Q If a leak is suspected, leave the risk area and contact an accredited workshop to get information about measures.

Q The gases formed by heated refrigerant, may be harmful to lungs and nervous system even at low concentrations when no smell is apparent. High concentrations have a narcotic effect. Exposed persons should be remove from the risk area and out into the fresh air. Seek medical advice, if the symptoms remain.

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Q When fluid, the refrigerant may cause frost-bite. Warm carefully the injured area with lukewarm water or warm clothes. Seek medical advice, if the symptoms remain. Seek medical advice, if liquid refrigerant has come into someone’s eyes.

Batteries

WARNING!

Avoid exposure to dust containing crystalline silica particles as it can cause serious injury to the lungs (silicosis). WARNING!

Batteries contain sulphuric acid, which is strongly corrosive to skin.

Q Q Do not smoke near batteries as these give off explosive gases. Make sure that metal objects, e.g. tools, rings and watch straps, do not come into contact with the battery pole studs.

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Q Make sure the protections are always installed over the battery pole studs. Do not tilt a battery in any direction. Battery electrolyte may leak out. Do not connect a discharged battery in series with a fully charged battery. Risk for explosion.

Q When removing a battery, disconnect the ground cable first and when installing, connect the ground cable last in order to reduce the risk of sparks.

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Discarded batteries must be taken care of according to national environmental requirements. Charging batteries, see page 116. Starting with booster batteries, see page 116.

Crystalline silica (quartz) dust

Crystalline silica is a basis component of sand and granite. Therefore, many activities at construction and mining sites, such as trenching, sawing and boring, produce crystalline silica dust. This dust can cause silicosis. The employer or working site management should provide the operator with information about the presence of crystalline silica in the work site along with specific work instructions and precautions and also necessary personnel protection equipment. Also check the local / national regulations regarding silica / silicosis.