Fluid Transfer Solutions provider Pirtek UK returns to the PlantworX exhibition with a new product that can help safeguard the safety of anyone exposed to hydraulic systems.
From 6 to 8 June this year, Pirtek will take its place amongst the elite of the construction equipment and plant hire sector at the PlantworX exhibition at Bruntingthorpe. And rightly so. From the very moment of its inception more than 30 years ago, Pirtek has been a staunch and loyal supporter of the UK construction and plant hire sector. The company’s distinctive mobile service vans have become a familiar sight on construction sites the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland; and major national plant hire and civil engineering companies entrust the care of their equipment to Pirtek, regardless of where in the country those machines happen to be working.
Safety First
Making its PlantworX debut will be a new product that should be of interest to plant owners, operator and fitters and anyone that might be required to get “hands-on” with a machine’s hydraulics. The new Fluid Power Glove has been developed to combat the threat of fluid injection injuries that can occur during a hydraulic hose failure.
The velocity of fluid forced through a pinhole break in a hydraulic hose can be in excess of 250 metres per second (600 ft/s) close to the muzzle velocity of a gun. Fluid, released in a fine jet at this velocity is sufficient to penetrate through protective clothing, including protective gloves.
Skin penetration can occur up to 100 mm away from the fluid source and at pressures as low as 100 psi. The toxicity of the injected fluid leads to necrosis of the affected area, in addition compartment syndrome occurs, requiring timely surgery. Compartment syndrome, is caused when fluid under pressure, enters the hand causing nerve and tendon damage by over pressurising the compartments in the hand, including nerve and tendon compartments, which can lead to permanent damage. There is also a risk of blood poisoning and bacterial infection. Surgery is required in 100 percent of cases to remove the dead tissue and clean out the injected fluid from the wound. Failure to act quickly may result in the need to amputate fingers and limbs. The risk of amputation significantly increases if the wound is not treated within six hours.
The Pirtek Fluid Power Glove, with its unique hydraulic injection resistant technology, is the only glove that offers protection against hydraulic injection injury as standard. The Pirtek 4041P Fluid Injection Glove is tested in accordance with EN388:2003, offers protection up to 700BAR (10,150 psi), and is the only glove of its kind in the marketplace.
During rigorous laboratory testing at the Health & Safety Executive laboratory facilities (HSL) in Buxton, the injection resistant technology used in Pirtek Fluid Power Glove demonstrated injection resistance at pressures up to 700 Bar (10,150 PSI) from apertures ranging in size from 0.05 to 0.3 mm using standard hydraulic oil.
The lightweight design and dexterity make it a must-have PPE garment for all personnel working on or around hydraulic plant or equipment. Available in sizes ranging from Small to XXL makes the Fluid Power Glove a must have for your PPE requirements to protect workers who are exposed to hydraulic systems and circuitry.
