landrover Workshop Repair Guides

Land Rover Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Safety Instructions > < Abbreviations and Symbols|Page 33
Page 32
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GENERAL INFORMATION

03-1

GENERAL INFORMATION

General Precautions

Dangerous substances
Modern vehicles contain many materials and liquids 
which if not handled with care can be hazardous to 
both personal health and the environment.

WARNING: Many liquids and other substances 
used in motor vehicles are poisonous and should 
under no circumstances be consumed and 
should, as far as possible, be kept from contact 
with the skin. These liquids and substances 
include acid, anti-freeze, asbestos, brake fluid, 
fuel, windscreen washer additives, lubricants, 
refrigerants and various adhesives.

Always read carefully the instructions printed on 
labels or stamped on components and obey them 
implicitly. Such instructions are included for 
reasons of your health and personal safety. 
Never disregard them.

Synthetic rubber

Many 'O' rings, seals, hoses, flexible pipes and other 
similar items which appear  to be natural rubber, are 
in fact, made of synthetic materials called 
Fluoroelastomers.  Under normal operating 
conditions this material is safe and does not present 
a health hazard. However, if the material is damaged 
by fire or excessive heating, it can break down and 
produce highly corrosive Hydrofluoric acid.

Contact with Hydrofluoric acid can cause serious 
burns on contact with skin. If skin contact does occur:

l

Remove any contaminated clothing 
immediately.

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Irrigate effected area of skin with a copious 
amount of cold water or limewater for 15 to 60 
minutes.

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Obtain medical assistance immediately.

Should any material be in a burnt or overheated 
condition, handle with extreme caution and wear 
protective clothing (seamless industrial gloves, 
protective apron etc.).

Decontaminate and dispose of gloves immediately 
after use.

Lubricating oils

Avoid excessive skin contact with used lubricating 
oils and always adhere to the health protection 
precautions.

WARNING: Avoid excessive skin contact with 
used engine oil. Used engine oil contains 
potentially harmful contaminants which may 
cause skin cancer or other serious skin 
disorders.

WARNING: Avoid excessive skin contact with 
mineral oil. Mineral oils remove the natural fats 
from the skin, leading to dryness, irritation and 
dermatitis.

Health protection precautions

The following precautions should be observed at all 
times.

l

Wear protective clothing, including impervious 
gloves where practicable.

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Avoid prolonged and repeated contact with oils, 
particularly used engine oils. 

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Do not put oily rags in pockets. 

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Avoid contaminating clothes (particularly those 
next to the skin) with oil. 

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Overalls must be cleaned regularly. Discard 
heavily soiled clothing and oil impregnated 
footwear. 

l

First aid treatment should be obtained 
immediately for open cuts and wounds. 

l

Apply barrier creams before each work period to 
help prevent lubricating oil from contaminating 
the skin.

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Wash with soap and water to ensure all oil is 
removed (proprietary skin cleansers and nail 
brushes will help).

l

Use moisturisers after cleaning; preparations 
containing lanolin help replace the skin's natural 
oils which have been removed. 

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Do not use petrol/gasoline, kerosene, diesel 
fuel, oil, thinners or solvents for cleaning skin. 

l

Where practicable, degrease components prior 
to handling.

l

If skin disorders develop, obtain medical advice 
without delay.

l

Wear eye protection (e.g. goggles or face 
shield) if there is a risk of eye contamination. 
Eye wash facilities should be provided in close 
vicinity of the work area.

Safety Instructions > < Abbreviations and Symbols|Page 33