Defective Design of Safety-Kleen Parts Washer Machines
Safety-Kleen's parts washer machines are defective in their design for at least three reasons:
First, the machines lacks a local exhaust ventilation device to remove toxic vapors from the solvent and prevent workers operating the machine from inhaling them. Such devices have long been used in industry and a ventilation device could, and should, have been designed as a standard part of the machine. Such a device would have substantially reduced operator exposure to toxic solvent vapors by inhalation, the primary exposure hazard to the solvent. Of course, a more sophisticated device such as a horizontal laminar airflow hood would have totally eliminated respiratory exposure to the solvent. Such devices have commonly been used in hazardous industrial applications since the early 1980s.
Second, the machines lack a barrier to prevent solvent from splashing onto machine operators. The ordinary operation of the machine as intended results in much splashing of solvent on operators' arms, face, neck and upper torso. This exposure presents a substantial skin absorption hazard. A simple plastic barrier slightly above the lip of the sink on the front of the machine (with space below for the operator to insert his hands to degrease parts) could prevent the splashing of solvent on exposed areas of workers' bodies. Of course, a more sophisticated devices than a plastic barrier, such as a glove box, would have provided even greater dermal protection.
Third, the machines lack a cyclonic separator or other solvent-purifying device. A cyclonic separator is a device which filters solid particles out of contaminated solvent by means of centrifugal force, trapping the particles in a chamber for removal. The cyclonic separator reduces contamination of the solvent and customer exposure to certain toxins that contaminate the solvent. It also reduces odors and emissions of volatile organic compounds and even extends the useful life of the solvent. The cyclonic separator technology is hardly rocket science and its effectiveness has been proven. Indeed, Safety-Kleen provides the device it to its customers in a similar "green" machine for use with a less toxic solvent.
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