Turbine engines require very specialized synthetic oils due to the high internal temperatures, pressures, rotation speeds and high bearing loads. Developed in the early 1960’s to meet US MIL-standards, the oils are almost unchanged since then, due to the complex approval processes. Unfortunately, this means that the turbine engine oils still have a high hazard for maintenance personnel, containing at least two hazardous ingredients:
PAN – N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, is classified as a hazardous substance and known as a skin sensitizer, causing various skin diseases.
PAN is used as an antioxidant. Approximately 1 % PAN is used in turbine oil.
TCP- Tricresyl phosphate, a neuro toxicant which has been recognized for decades as a product that presents a significant occupational health problem causing irreversible nerve damage.
TCP is used in turbine oil as an anti-wear additive to enhance load bearing properties and improve tolerance to increasing speed of rotating or sliding motion, dust suppressant and has flame retardant properties. The anti-wear properties of TCP are considered unique and as much as 3 % TCP is used in turbine oil.
According to the study “THE TOXICITY OF COMMERCIAL JET OILS” by Chris Winder and Jean-Christophe Balouet, oil can label and MSDS understates the hazards of these ingredients. Read the full study here.
As an aviation technician you risk exposure and contact with turbine oil many times during your daily work. Working on engines and in engine nacelles, turbine oil residue is present everywhere, on parts and components that you touch when performing normal maintenance duties. Even more so when you perform oil filter inspection and oil change. It is crucial to always wear protective equipment. So many aircraft mechanics suffer from various hand skin deceases.
Are you using gloves when working with turbine oil? Maybe it is time to re-think your practice.
There are two ways to be exposed to turbine oil during maintenance tasks. Thru skin contact and thru inhalation of oil vapor or mist suspended in the air.
- To avoid skin contact with turbine oil, use protective Butyl or Nitrile gloves.
- Observe breakthrough times of disposable gloves, it can be 15 minutes or less.
- Wear safety goggles.
- Use of proper oil can opener avoids splashing or spilling of oil during the oil can opening process. Avoid to tip over the oil can by stabbing it with metal tools. (It also produces FOD into the oil can)
- Use proper oil filling equipment that seals to the turbine oil can, avoiding spilling and direct contact with oil.
- Take care not to leave oil spill for you or others to inadvertently touch.
If you get turbine oil on your skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap and water.
In air suspended oil particles thru oil mist and vapor are especially harmful as oil particles can be inhaled, ingested or get in your eyes. Most likely mist and vapor particles are invisible odorless.
Turbine oil mist is not volatile. Suspended in the air it takes a long time to settle by gravity and spreads easy to other areas by draft.
- Avoid blow-drying engine parts and oil filters with compressed air outside areas with air extractor. Blow-drying in the hangar will also affect your unaware co-workers.
- Wear suitable proactive breathing equipment.
If inhaling or ingesting oil mist and vapor, seek medical attention.
Photo: TheCanKey FOD- and spill-free oil servicing tools.
Use TheCanKey FOD- and spill-free oil servicing tools to enhance the safety of maintenance personnel when working with oil filling. It is an easy, proper and effective way to avoid skin contact and oil spills.\
Using TheCanKey FOD- and spill-free oil servicing tools will ultimately save maintenance costs, improve overall safety for personnel and prolong engine and gear box life.
Read more about TheCanKey FOD- and spill-free oil service tools here: www.TheCanKey.com
