ORC, working with its member companies and trade associations including ILMA, has developed an education program designed to reach out to shops of all sizes. A key tool for ORC’s proposed education and outreach program is the MRF Management Guide, which is an easily accessible source of reliable and proven information on the systematic management of MWF systems.

The ORC compiled a database of MRF systems management techniques drawn from the long experience and self-regulatory activities of its member companies.

The 2nd edition of the guide entitled, "Management of the Metal Removal Environment" (which was presented to OSHA's MWF Standards Advisory Committee) makes heavy use of hypertext data access and is completely searchable. This database, freely available to all, is intended to assist MWF users in learning effective management and control techniques for the metalworking fluids environment.

The ORC health and safety home page in which the "Management of the Metal Removal Fluid Environment" guide can be accessed is a public site at www.aware-services.com/orc. Quaker believes that good management of the MRF environment should include a comprehensive systems approach. This approach can benefit the metalworking fluid environment by managing it with safety and cost-effectiveness goals.

The fully searchable guide also contains a glossary and information links. The web site is free, the registration is free, the resources and links are not only free but also abundant. The entire guide can be printed, or pertinent portions of the guide can be used to create a company-specific MRF systems management system. The web-based guide will be updated periodically.

The ORC Management of the Metal Removal Environment table of contents:

Metal Removal Fluids

Fluid use
Selecting a supplier
Selecting a fluid

Facilities and Equipment

Buildings
Machine tools and enclosures
Fluid application
Mist collectors
The MRF system
Flume design
Chip handling
Maintenance
How to size central systems

Filtration Systems

Separation
Filtration and filtration media

Management program and Quality Assurance

Health and safety program
Self-assessment checklists

Managing MRF

During use
Testing
Maintenance
Process performance
Recycling
Drain-clean-recharge
Environmental issues
Hauling
Evaporation
Chemical treatment
Biological treatment
Membrane separation

Health Issues

Dermatitis
Respiratory
Cancer

Employers and Employees

Training
Hazard communication
Exposure
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Medical management