Latest Products: Dispensing Information About Industrial Equipment And Supplies

Safety Precautions When Repairing a Hydraulic Hose

10 March 2016

Amaury Picard

Hydraulic hoses are common equipment in many industries. Hoses are used for many purposes in different hydraulic systems. However, hydraulic hoses can be serious safety hazards if not handled properly. The hose itself can cause as serious injuries as the material being transported through it. When setting out to perform hydraulic hose repairs, you should be extra careful, as these are instances where you suspect a malfunction with an already dangerous tool. To do this in a safe fashion, there are a few things you should think about.

Avoid Cracks & Holes

When examining the hose for cracks and holes for the purpose of performing hydraulic hose repair, you should be extra careful. Never go near the hose with skin exposed when it's being in use and is pressurised. Pressurised liquid being forced through a crack can create a beam so powerful that it can cut through both skin and flesh. The smallest holes are actually the most dangerous ones, as more pressure in created in these ones than in larger ones.

When examining the hose, make sure it's not pressurised and not in use. Gently flush it through with room temperature water and wait for it to bleed through any possible cracks that it might have. Even so, you should still use safety equipment such as gloves and goggles when doing this, as hazardous substances might still be present on the hose.

Wipe Away Residue Fluid

When repairing a hydraulic hose, it's possible that hydraulic fluid will leak out on the floor as you're handling it. This is a safety hazard mainly because it causes the floors to become slippery and threaten general safety in the workplace. It's also a bad thing as hydraulic fluid can be hazardous and contaminate the environment if not handled properly. Make sure you wipe the workplace clean after performing repairs and that you check with local environmental authorities how to get rid of the waste in a safe manner.

Inspect Couplings

After you've repaired the hose and need to reassemble it, you still need to be careful. Make sure you examine all couplings and fittings to make sure they're firmly attached to the hose and that they aren't chipped or damaged in some way. Coupling coming off while the hose is pressurised could shoot off in a tremendous speed and seriously injure a worker that comes in its way. Use a new piece of security tape to properly cover up the coupling after you've attached it as firmly as you can. Also make sure you examine the couplings a couple of days after assembling the hose to make sure they are still secure.

For more information or assistance with hydraulic hose inspection and repair, contact companies like Southern Hydraulic Services. 

Share