An Evaluation of the Safety of Shrouded Nozzles used on High-pressure Greasing Equipment

High-pressure grease guns using a shrouded nozzle were 'fired ' from varying distances at amputated lower limbs to determine the pressure at which penetration of the skin occurred. It was concluded that a shrouded nozzle would not normally give rise to injury if the grease pressure was below 7,000 lbf./sq. in. (492 kgf./cm.2). Rees (I937), Brooke and Rooke (I939), and Smith (1939) reported injuries to the fingers and hand from the injection of grease and oil by (i) the misapplica-tion of high-pressure grease guns used in the maintenance of motor vehicles and (2) the testing of diesel injectors. Smith (I964) considered that the effect of the high-pressure injection of grease into the tissues was the result of physical distension (with consequent arterial compression) and chemical irritation. He reported that gangrene was a common result