Health problems arising from contact with lubricants are relatively infrequent and occur chiefly in circumstances where there is a considerable degree of prolonged contact.

Naturally, however, as with all types of chemicals, certain extremely sensitive people tend to be hyper-allergenic to some lubricants or lubricant constituents. Similar everyday occurrences would include the developing of rashes in some people after eating strawberries or tomatoes while the large majority enjoy these foods regularly with no ill-effects.

Various forms of skin irritation and even more serious conditions such as skin cancers have been associated with lightly refined petroleum products such as soot, shale oils and coal tars. Lubricants containing lead soaps constitute a special hazard since, in this form, lead can be absorbed into the skin (Omega lubricants contain no lead).

In industries where prolonged contact with lubricants and fine oil sprays or mists are encountered, good shop practices can practically eliminate any operator health problems.

Certain simple precautions provide very effective safeguards. These precautions, which are summarized below, are desirable irrespective of the types of cutting oil, lubricating oil or grease being used, or the industrial applications concerned:

(1) Splashguards, ventilation ducts, etc.
Operators should be encouraged to maintain all passive safety devices properly to ensure minimal long-term exposure to lubricants.

(2) Clothing
Where continual and direct contact with lubricants are unavoidable, clean (and regularly dry-cleaned) overalls, impermeable aprons and gloves should be encouraged to be worn.

(3) Washing up facilities
Proper wash-up facilities should be provided, including non-solvent type degreasing soaps and lotions.

(4) First aid
Workers should have quick access to first aid facilities and medical advice for emergencies.

(5) Fire prevention
Although lubricating oils and greases do not ignite as easily as most people believe, given careless handling (sparks, cigarette smoking, improper clean-up or refuse disposal, poor machinery maintenance leading to overheating), they will catch fire as easily as wood or paper.

In the interests of safety, proper fire fighting equipment and apparatus should be kept in good working order and in easily accessible areas. Advice can be sought from your local fire prevention bureau or department.

(6) Spills and slippage
Where spillage or leakage is unavoidable or commonly encountered, an appropriate oil absorbent material with especially high absorbency capabilities is recommended to be used as either preventative or eliminator.

Environmental responsibility

Oils and greases should be properly discarded and not poured directly into drainage systems as this may seriously damage the environment. Lubricants should only be disposed of in a safe and proper way. Consult your local environmental agency for disposal laws as they apply in your state (or country).

Lubricants should never be discarded haphazardly and without thought of the sometimes irreversible damage they can cause.

To the best of our knowledge, there is no safer range of lubricants available anywhere in the world than those available from the Omega Manufacturing Division.

Omega health guarantee

The chemical constituents of products produced by the Omega Manufacturing Division have been certified that none of the recognised cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) listed below are contained in any Omega lubricant products, compound or mixture:

Drugs and drink

To avoid an accident, it pays to self-examine your intake of the 2Ds, drugs and drink. Many accidents leave police and accident investigation teams baffled. There is no apparent cause. The hidden cause can be alcohol, speeding, fatigue or perhaps drugs.

Drug-induced drowsiness and delayed reaction time are killers. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, illicit drugs, alcohol and sometimes pill-popping can endanger your life. In cold weather, flu and runny noses act like signals to reach for drugs. The best solution is to stay in bed or see your doctor. Many 'so-called'  cold fighting medicines and antihistamines can make you drowsy.

COUGH & COLD REMEDIES: those that contain antihistamines, codeine or are made from alcohol, can cause drowsiness.

PAINKILLERS: Some side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, impaired vision, tremors and uncoordinated muscle movement.

ULCER DRUGS: Drowsiness and blurred vision.

TRANQUILIZERS: Drowsiness.

DIET PILLS: Dizziness and drowsiness.

AMPHETAMINES: Sudden and total collapse.

ANTI HYPER-TENSION: Amnesia-like spells, inability to concentrate, dizziness, vertigo and lightheadedness.

ALCOHOL: Drowsiness, impaired vision and slow reflexes.

NEVER wash down any drug with an alcoholic beverage. The combination of pills and alcohol can cause dangerously enhanced side effects and sometimes prove fatal.

Here are four guidelines for the safe use of drugs: