Basic Safety Rules To Follow When Using A Grease Gun
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.
Needle point fittings are often used with several grease gun applications. The sharp tip of the needle point helps pierce and insert grease in the polymer based bearings. Pressure of grease coming out of the pneumatic grease gun is as high as 5000 psi. If this needle were to pierce the skin, grease can even get injected within one's body.
In that sense the lever/manual hand operated grease guns are safer as they need technicians to hold them with both hands. This helps protect the hands and fingers from grease that is coming out at high speeds of over 10,000 psi. Hence hand operated grease guns are considered safer than pneumatic grease guns or air grease guns by experts in this field.
Wounds caused by needle point grease gun fittings begin as a small prickling pain that often tends to be neglected. A few days later however, the finger or wrist may be completely swollen and even turn into a gangrene. Hence doctors reiterate the fact that grease gun injuries, however small, must not be neglected. They should be tended to 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 facilities, there is very dim lighting, especially when one is working under cars and trucks etc. Also grime and dust is allowed to settle in the nipples and, in a hurry, many times, wrong fittings get used. All these factors can increase the risk to bodily harm. One must use adequate light under trucks when using the gun. All fittings and covers must be wiped clean prior to use. Operators of the grease gun have to take these things seriously as grease lying under the skin can lead to serious problems in the future. One needs to use uncovered needle tips and keep one's hands and fingers clear off the needle before the trigger on the gun is pressed.
Needle point fittings are often used with several grease gun applications. The sharp tip of the needle point helps pierce and insert grease in the polymer based bearings. Pressure of grease coming out of the pneumatic grease gun is as high as 5000 psi. If this needle were to pierce the skin, grease can even get injected within one's body.
In that sense the lever/manual hand operated grease guns are safer as they need technicians to hold them with both hands. This helps protect the hands and fingers from grease that is coming out at high speeds of over 10,000 psi. Hence hand operated grease guns are considered safer than pneumatic grease guns or air grease guns by experts in this field.
Wounds caused by needle point grease gun fittings begin as a small prickling pain that often tends to be neglected. A few days later however, the finger or wrist may be completely swollen and even turn into a gangrene. Hence doctors reiterate the fact that grease gun injuries, however small, must not be neglected. They should be tended to 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 facilities, there is very dim lighting, especially when one is working under cars and trucks etc. Also grime and dust is allowed to settle in the nipples and, in a hurry, many times, wrong fittings get used. All these factors can increase the risk to bodily harm. One must use adequate light under trucks when using the gun. All fittings and covers must be wiped clean prior to use. Operators of the grease gun have to take these things seriously as grease lying under the skin can lead to serious problems in the future. One needs to use uncovered needle tips and keep one's hands and fingers clear off the needle before the trigger on the gun is pressed.
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.