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A RECENT edition of Wear Check Africa Monitor gave some useful tips for consideration in setting up reliable and adequate storage and handling procedures for lubricating oil and greases. The main message imparted is that outdoor storage should be avoided if at all possible because:

• Weathering can obliterate labels or stencils on containers, leading to possible mistakes in selection.
• Widely varying outdoor temperatures - with consequent expansion and contraction of seams and seals on containers - may lead to leakage and waste.
• The likelihood of contamination is increased.
• Water can leak into even tightly closed drums.
• Extremely cold or hot weather can change the composition of some lubricants, making them useless.

So there you have it. Keep your oils and greases inside.