Industrial Hydraulic Hose Safety
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to the use of industrial hydraulic hose. One of the most dangerous situations for any type of work scenario is for a hose to burst or fail in some other way. Whether it is just a tiny pinhole leak or a major blow out, the danger to workers, job site visitors, and equipment is very real. When a hydraulic hose fails, there are many different hazards to consider. The best way to prevent this type of situation is to replace worn hydraulic hoses as soon as they are identified and to have a strategic inspection process in place to guarantee hydraulic hose safety. Working with professional Fall River hydraulic services at Metro Industrial & Marine Supply can help. Our team of highly trained and experienced technicians can create custom hydraulic hose assemblies while you wait to help you get back to work and minimize downtime.
The Dangers of Industrial Hydraulic Hose
Hose failure is a serious safety concern for everyone involved. A hydraulic hose burst can happen for many different reasons, especially if you are using equipment in extreme working conditions. Very high or low temperatures, very high or low pressure, dirty or greasy industrial areas and many hours of use per day without rest are just some of the environmental hazards that can contribute to increased wear and tear on the materials. Other issues can include incorrect routing, higher pressures, and temperatures than published, abrasion or rubbing against machinery and other hoses, and incompatible hydraulic fluids, connectors, and hose materials. When a failure occurs, hydraulic fluid can leak or spray. High pressure and temperature considerations can make it even more dangerous to employees and job site visitors.
It is essential for workers to understand that pinhole leaks can lead to severe injury and even death if they are not adequately treated. This is why safety guidelines suggest that you should never check for leaks or feel around the equipment with your hand – even when wearing gloves. The hydraulic fluid can inject itself into your skin. While it may not look serious at first, in just a short amount of time, the fluid can spread within the body, swelling up the skin and burning the tissue on the inside. In some cases, it can lead to amputation, but in others, it could mean certain death if the injury is ignored and not treated by an experienced physician. It is highly recommended for employers to locate a physician, clinic, or emergency care center where someone who is experienced with hydraulic fluid injuries can treat your staff in the event of an industrial hydraulic hose failure.
In addition to medical concerns, other hazards can include:
- slip and fall injuries from pooling hydraulic fluid
- fitting blow offs, which can hurl sharp and heavy metal pieces in the work area
- whipping hoses can strike workers if the machinery is still pressurized
- damage to affected machinery and other equipment in the work area
Hydraulic Hose Safety Measures
The best thing you can do is to make sure that you use professional Fall River hydraulic services that can provide you with the proper type of hydraulic hose assembly for your needs. Five areas must be addressed to ensure that the industrial hydraulic hose assembly meets all of the essential criteria, including Size, Temperature, Application, Media, and Pressure (STAMP). Hose sleeves can also be used to protect workers and valuable equipment from damage in a high-pressure burst, as well as hose whip restraints, to prevent injuries caused by hoses whipping under pressure. These measures can buy you a little bit of time to shut down the equipment and allow the pressure to come down so safe cleanup can occur to minimize the dangers to staff.
Our technicians at Metro Industrial & Marine supply specialize in custom Fall River hydraulic services. We have the ability to create custom made-to-order hoses, unlike any other supplier in the Southcoast area. We can offer up to 2″ 1-6 wire hydraulic hoses, to match the needs and requirements of our customers. We continually go above and beyond to exceed the expectations of our customers with industrial hydraulic hose, providing same-day services on most of the custom hydraulic hose assemblies that we build. Hydraulic hose safety is an essential part of any industry where hydraulic machinery is used. It is important to replace worn hydraulic hoses as soon as they are noticed and perform regular safety checks of all equipment to prevent dangerous failures.
If you would like to learn more about our Greater Fall River hydraulic services or if you need custom industrial hydraulic hose or hydraulic hose assemblies, give us a call at 508-996-8400. You can also visit our industrial supply store located on Coggeshall Street in New Bedford, MA, during office hours. We also carry a wide range of industrial supply products, including industrial belts, gasket material, bearings, and compressors.