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A little bit of the alarmist in me coming out again at work, but we have received some more gauges from a toolmaker that have a strong chemical smell, perhaps some degreaser/rust inhibitor.
I can't be sure but it resembles the smell of TCE (Trichloroethylene), which was used at another place of work of mine. I recall this chemical being a hazardous substance and if present at a workplace in liquid form it must be recorded in the MSDS sheets of the plant. How about if it exists as a residue on a gauge? Should I be raising a stir about more PPE, ie. gloves, face shields?
If it is indeed TCE, does anyone have experience or knowledge of the exposure risk to humans if I can definitely smell it on the equipment? Some employees sit right beside these gauges and work closely with them throughout their shift. (Fortunately there are fans blowing in the area.)
Thanks,
I can't be sure but it resembles the smell of TCE (Trichloroethylene), which was used at another place of work of mine. I recall this chemical being a hazardous substance and if present at a workplace in liquid form it must be recorded in the MSDS sheets of the plant. How about if it exists as a residue on a gauge? Should I be raising a stir about more PPE, ie. gloves, face shields?
If it is indeed TCE, does anyone have experience or knowledge of the exposure risk to humans if I can definitely smell it on the equipment? Some employees sit right beside these gauges and work closely with them throughout their shift. (Fortunately there are fans blowing in the area.)
Thanks,
Because I'm an old guy, I remember grade school and high school science classes where we "played " with carbon tetrachloride and raw mercury without protective gloves, masks, respirators. WE students had little real exposure, but those teachers had been playing with the stuff for years and years without protective gear. I wonder if there has ever been a study to correlate cancers and other known effects of chemicals with science teachers from that era?
. If you get the Tri-Chlor high, your suspicions will be verified, after you come down from the high and get over the ensuing headache, come up with a plan of action.