If people are working around high pressure fluids in your business, it’s important to identify all aspects of safely managing a high-pressure fluid system. This includes the emergency response and treatment of any injuries that may result from interaction with the system.
For example, the speed of fluid forced through a pinhole break in a hydraulic hose can reach 250 metres per second – almost the same muzzle velocity of a rifle. At this speed, fluids can be driven through protective clothing, including gloves. This can cause a very small puncture wound, and if left untreated can lead to amputation.
While this may sound alarming, wearing the right PPE gear can help mitigate a lot of the dangers associated with high-pressure fluids and gases. One of the protections available is the HexArmor® Pointguard® Ultra range. These incredible gloves can withstand fluid injection resistance up to 700 bar, and they’re designed for increased dexterity and comfort. Now your team can complete jobs efficiently while staying safe.
So whenever your crew are working with high-pressure fluids or gasses, think about how quickly fluid can exit a hydraulic hose. It’s probably all the motivation you need to ensure they’re wearing the right protective gear.
This article first appeared in the latest edition of Safety Spotlight. For more safety articles like this one, click below to checkout the online version of the magazine.