Tips for cleaning and maintaining machines in a COVID-19 environment

Related glossary terms

By Master Fluid Solutions

Perrysburg, Ohio - April 2020 - With the COVID-19 crisis continuing to disrupt business operations, workplace cleanliness and worker health and safety raise many concerns about the new COVID-19 virus.

Master Fluid Solutions wanted to publish some helpful guidelines on how manufacturers can manage machine cleaning and maintenance in a COVID-19 environment. This information is based on CDC guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus and OSHA / HHS guidelines to update workplace cleaning and safety measures and controls.

Although our products undergo rigorous health and safety testing during the formulation phase to minimize the effects of GHS and SDS, this virus is so new that there is no evidence or information about its shelf life in a matrix. Metalworking fluid currently unavailable. Until we have more information and a clear guide from CDC, we recommend that you follow the instructions below for handling potentially contaminated metalworking fluids and cleaners during manufacture:

• If it is suspected that metallurgical and cleaning fluids are contaminated with COVID-19 during manufacture, they must be removed from the machine with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and disposed of in accordance with the EU's waste treatment guidelines.
• The machine should be cleaned with Master STAGES ™ Whamex ™ or Whamex XT ™ according to Master Fluid Solutions quick cleaning procedures to have minimal impact on operations. You can find these cleaning procedures on pages 9-12 of the "Pocket Guide to a Clean Store".
• Further tips for recommendations on cleaning and disinfecting the environment can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html.
• Master Fluid Solutions does not recommend adding disinfectants or bleach to the metalworking fluid system. This can increase the risk of other problems such as dermatitis, corrosion of machinery and parts, chemical reactions and odor problems.

Prepare your sink for a temporary shutdown

In the event of a possible closure, companies must take several steps to maintain their sink. The following steps will help you prepare your swamp for a temporary shutdown and should begin a few days before the shutdown.

Before you start, it is important that the shutdown systems are as good as possible. Concentration, pH, reserve alkalinity, etc. must be within the specified range.

1. Remove traces of oil from the crankcase. Tramp oil is both a food and a refuge for bacteria, which is the main cause of the musty smell that can come from the coolant.
2. Clean the swarf and mud from the swamp. Chips and mud are also food and protection for bacteria. A sump sucker makes this work quick and easy.
3. Increase Concentration - This adds a little more pH buffer to the swamp and helps prevent bacteria. We recommend increasing the concentration to the maximum recommended operating range for the product used. If additions are required for alkalinity, pH, etc., add them a day or two before shutting down the system.
4. Be sure to complete the sampling to be completed and report the results before stopping.
5. If possible, circulate the coolant in the crankcase during shutdown. In many cases, maintenance personnel can be present. Ask them to turn on the coolant pumps to recirculate the crankcase volume several times.
6. If you plan to operate a centrifuge during shutdown, make sure you have enough oil and residue capacity.
7. Finally, make sure you have enough coolant, Whamex XT, Task 2, etc. to ensure the proper functioning of the systems and to avoid problems when life returns to normal.

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