Lubricants: Best Storage Practices to Follow?
Many facilities are unaware of the dangers that improper lubricant storage and handling practices pose, as well as the unavoidable consequences for equipment reliability and lifecycles. Proper lubrication entails not only applying the correct amount at the correct time and in the correct location, but also keeping lubricants clean, cool, and properly identified. Most lubricants can be stored for an extended period of time without harm, but they won't last forever. Even in ideal conditions, storing a lubricant for an extended period of time can cause it to lose performance capabilities and eventually become useless. Buying lubricants in the right package size for your needs can also help: Lubricant containers that have not been opened for partial dispensing can be stored for a longer period of time than those that have been opened for partial dispensing. This problem can be alleviated by rotating inventory on a first-in, first-out basis. Here are some guidelines for storing lubr