Long term safety in a machine shop. (Coolant mist)

1

Good day to you all,

I’m Robert and enrolled in the academy a few months ago. I hope all of you are doing well in your endeavors.

I’m posting because I’d like to hear your thoughts in regards to long term safety threats in the machining trade; particularly coolant mist inhalation.

I have been researching via the internet, and recently touring a few shops for myself and have been taking notes regarding the smell of a machine shop. Some shops have an obvious smell of coolant (one was appallingly bad compared to others), while some shops seemed to have musty or thick air smell/quality, while others didn’t have any.

I heard anecdotal stories of some machinists living to 70 years or older, but others coming down with health and or lung problems. One person on Reddit even claimed his CNC machinist friend died in his mid thirties due to lung cancer.

I’ve been machining for three years now, and found out about this potential threat a couple of months ago. The school and shop I worked at did not have coolant issues or smells that caused me concern or alarm.

(When I’m talking about smells, I talking about long term exposure over months or years).

My dilemma is that I’m trying to advance my career by getting into a 5 axis machine shop, but from what I’m hearing, those shop very well might have coolant issues.

Anyway, do you guys know or have experienced shops that have good or bad air quality? Opinions on inhaling coolant vapor versus coolant mist? I’d most certainly appreciate to hear any thoughts you all have regarding this issue; and if you know of good safety practices I could employ. And recommend the best coolant mist collectors.

Thank you all for your time, and I wish you the best.

Best regards,

Robert

2 Likes
2

Welcome,
I have worked in many shops Newer Shops with Old Machines, Old Shops with New Machines, and etc…
Any combination you can configure really big Company and small Job Shops.

The “Smell” will depend on the company and how well the machines are taking care of there. I had a job where the machine was called “Widow Maker” because 2 guys died of health issues. Yet whose to know their lifestyle choices. But I was young and out to gain experience and prove myself, so I ran that cell of machines for years.
Most smaller companies will take care of their machines way better than any place. Of course there are exceptions to this with lazy Owners only wanting money. When you walk into a small shop you can tell real quick what type of environment the shop is, and if the Owner truly cares about machines or employees.

You want to see nasty look at a the exhaust after running nasty materials, and you will see a film a black tar/ playdough like goo flapping in the wind. Then you go blow your nose and its nothing but black crap, that’s when you realize this is bad for me.

In closing just be smart watch and really check out a company on the shop floor part to see if it fits you. Be smart don’t stick your head in a machine after hogging the crap out of material with a huge Shell Mill. Crack the door and use an air hose to blow it out and away a bit.

2 Likes