Hi Choreboy
Although I do agree with you regarding the normal mixing of Lye and water.
For many years my company packaged a liquid solution of Lye and found that adding the Lye crystals to the bottles first, then adding about
2/3 of the water, capping and cooling, then topping off until full, was the safest method in this particular case.
Why? Adding Lye to partially prefilled bottles of water could cause splashing and water getting into the vats of lye crystal.
Doing it the opposite way kept the lye in one room, the water in the next room, etc. People handling the Lye were NOT around water or moisture, so Lye could not stick to wet hands or damp clothing, etc.
After reversing the operation, Lye first, Water second, accidents and spills became non-existant in the workplace. Not one employee ever had a Lye burn doing it backwards!
So, sometimes the proper way of doing something is not necessarily safest way. Then comes OSHA, but that's another 80 page story!
TTUL Gary