Risk of injury to skin or eyes & Risk of poisoning - AS00.00-Z-0013-01A

Risk of injury to skin or eyes from hydraulic fluid spraying out under pressure. Risk of poisoning from swallowing hydraulic fluid. 

Depressurize the hydraulic system completely before starting any work on the system. Wear protective clothing and eye protection. 

Possible hazards 

Risk of injury 

When disengaging hydraulic lines without first depressurizing the system, dangerous skin or eye injuries may occur due to the very high pressures (in excess of 200 bar). If hydraulic fluid, particularly central hydraulic fluid (especially harmful), comes into contact with unprotected skin, this may cause damage to the skin.

Risk of poisoning 

If hydraulic fluid is swallowed, this may lead to poisoning symptoms such as headache, giddiness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and unconsciousness.

Protective measures/guidelines 

• When commencing work on hydraulic systems, these must be depressurized; the system must be drained if necessary.
• Do not pour hydraulic fluid into beverage containers.
• Ensure sufficient ventilation, especially in the case of central hydraulic fluid.
• Ensure that only authorized persons have access to hydraulic fluid.
• Immediately seal disconnected leads and hoses, and the connections to the assemblies, with blind plugs.

  Wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection.

If protective gloves cannot be worn, the following points must be noted:

• Only expose skin to hydraulic fluid for as brief a period as possible; in the event of contact with skin, clean skin with soap and water.
• In the event of contact with clothing, replace clothing as rapidly as possible.

First-aid measures 

• Have the person affected drink plenty of water with activated charcoal additive.
• After swallowing large volumes, seek the attention of a physician.
• If hydraulic fluid gets into the eyes, immediately rinse the eyes with plenty of clean water/eye rinsing bottle.
• In the event of injuries to the skin or eyes due to a jet of hydraulic fluid, immediately seek the attention of a physician.