Burke chairs the 10-member ad hoc panel, which is formulating a proposal for STLE in Park Ridge, Ill. The program it envisions would be similar to ones for CPAs and professional engineers, he said, in that exams would be open only to thosewith higher education, continuous training and several years of relevant experience. Re-certification would also be required periodically. STLE couldprovide the training, as could other professional societies, such as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

The panel, which was created by STLE President Joe Knight of Duke University, also includes representatives of Harley-Davidson and Pratt & Whitney. Fluid suppliers represented on the panel include Houghton, Milacron and Castrol Industrial, while BCA is advising on biocides, a specific concern in metal removal fluids.

“We have a definite interest,” panel member Donald Smolenski, of GM’s Worldwide Facilities Group, told Lube Report. He said the program is “absolutely needed.”

“It’s possible it could even be part of the GM bidding process, although we can’t make a commitment until we see what the certification program looks like of course,” Smolenski said. “But we have a definite interest in this program.”

He cited specific problems — dermatitis, maintenance of aqueous coolants, and fluid and tool life — as areas where a certified manager might help. “Yes, we need the best coolant, but we need the best maintenance, too.

“A lot of our plants are changing chemical managers, and there aren’t a lot of people with the expertise we need. We want to be sure people have the skills. This way, a chemical manager can prove he has qualified people.”

Burke stressed that the group’s role is an exploratory one; if its recommendations are accepted, STLE would establish a metalworking certification committee, open to anyone wanting to participate.

“There are so many issues in metalworking fluid management — employee exposure to substances, performance issues, waste treatment, cost control, EPA limits on emissions, and more,” explained Dr. Robert Gresham, STLE’s director of professional development. “Meanwhile, some major oil companies have done away with their technical service department, so their salespeople are the ones who have to consult and solve problems in the field. We’re trying to specify as much knowledge as we can for metalworking fluid operators.”

The new certification would cover only management of fluids used in metal removal processes, not forming and rolling operations, Gresham emphasized. “Those fluids can be similar but they don’t have the same operations and issues.”

The committee is also debating whether to launch a separate training program for shop floor personnel. “Two programs may actually be needed,” explained Burke. “One would be the certification program; the other would be simply an education program followed by an exam, which anyone could take to earn a certificate as a metalworking fluid specialist.” That program, aimed at shop personnel, would be open to anyone, and might even be a stepping stone towards the higher-level certification.

Noting that the ad hoc committee has not reached a final recommendation for the program, Burke suggested that interested parties contact him, Gresham or other committee members during next week’s STLE meeting in New York City, or e-mail STLE headquarters (information@stle.org).

In addition to Burke and Smolenski, the ad hoc committee’s members are Dwayne Atkins (Ford Motor), Paul Bauman (Milacron), Thomas Hanlon (Pratt & Whitney Aircraft), Jack Hartwig (DaimlerChrysler), John Howell (Castrol Industrial), Douglas Hunsicker (Caterpillar), Fredrick Passman(BCA), and Joseph Rebholz (Harley-Davidson).