DGUV Information 209-071e - Safe maintenance of hydraulic systems

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Abschnitt 2.2 - 2.2 Leaking hydraulic fluid

Leakages of hydraulic fluid have to be prevented, as oiled work surfaces and treads on machine platforms, as well as oiled workshop floors bear slip dangers, tools could slip more easily on wrench surfaces or parts, and fire hazards could be the result. As personal protection equipment worn gloves have to be kept free of hydraulic fluid or replaced.

In order to avoid wetted machine platforms or vehicle treads, appropriate drip pans are useful. This also includes adapted pans for maintenance work on the mobile hydraulic system outdoors or on construction sites. Removed hydraulic components such as pumps or valves still contain residual amounts of hydraulic fluid and have to be stored intermediately in sufficiently dimensioned pans.

Inserting drip pans into the workshop floor below the machines prior to their installation provides for efficient protection against slip dangers on workshop floors.

If required, oil binders, sweeping equipment, and disposal containers have to be taken to the danger spot immediately, in order to hold leaked hydraulic oil and thus eliminate slip hazards. Oil absorbing cloths help to remove residual oil in machine parts.

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Leaked hydraulic fluids have to be removed immediately and completely.
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Fig. 7
Trolley for transporting oil binders

In order to reduce leakages of hydraulic fluids, some machine manufacturers permit using vacuum pumps (see figure 8) generating a slight vacuum in the hydraulic tank upon closing all tank air vents using a connection via special tank covers.

In case of a fire hazard, oil binder shall only be used, if it is appropriately removed directly after use.

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Fig. 8
Vacuum pumps for mobile hydraulic tank in 24 VDC and 230 VAC design