There are many hazards present in the metals industry, and foundries and diecasters will face different risks throughout the whole process – from respiratory risks during mould making, heat risks during melting, metal splash during pouring, and much in between. The post casting and finishing process is no exception. Depending on the casting process, this may involve fettling, machining, heat treatment and coatings or other finishing methods. General risks created here include heat risks from handling hot castings, silica respiratory risks from sand cast knockout and impact risks from grinding and linishing.
HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST THESE RISKS
Handling hot objects
When working with hot objects the best protection may be a pair of specialist gloves or mittens. To select the right pair it is important to consider the temperature of the task, the dexterity and flexibility required, any cut risks, and whether the risk comes from contact or radiant heat.
Aramid gloves are popular for tasks with very high contact heat, from 250°C up to 1000°C, as these are more durable and offer more protection than leather at these higher temperatures. Grinding and linishing, and other finishing tasks like welding which require greater freedom of movement, often prefer leather gloves – which can have aluminised backs added for radiant heat protection.
Cut risks can also be managed effectively – and without loss of dexterity – due to new glove innovations. Whether the handling risk comes from finished edges, scrap metal, or blades, new technology over the last few years has meant gloves have got thinner while giving greater protection.
Respiratory hazards
Health risks are not only mechanical, and the long terms hazards should be protected against too. Asthma, lung disease, and silicosis are all diseases which can be caused by harmful airborne particles. Causes can include foundry fume, silica sand, fine dusts, toxic gases, sprays from pattern assembly and finishing, and cutting fluid vapours.
Respiratory risks should ideally be controlled with an LEV system, but in some situations this may not be totally effective, and instead needs to be paired with a mask or an air purifying respirator for complete protection. For welding processes within the UK workplace it is also highly recommended for RPE to be worn for additional protection against welding fume.
Some other situations where respiratory protection is needed are when finishing large or irregular shaped castings, where a fixed LEV system cannot capture every particle. Applying spray coatings and paints is another area – when there’s overspray or if working areas are not suited for extraction. Maintenance is also a key area when RPE is needed, i.e. when enclosures may be open or LEV systems turned off.
Always remember that when respiratory protection is needed, tight fitting masks can’t be worn or face fit tested on workers with facial hair, so equivalent air fed respirators must be supplied instead.
This is where MF Safety can help
The correct protection is needed for every task. It is vital to choose a supplier who can give advice, a good service level, and communicate clearly at every stage of the process.
MF Safety & Workwear is a PPE and clothing supplier based centrally in the UK in the Midlands. Family owned and run, the company has been established in PPE and safety since 1991. They provide the following:
- Aluminised clothing.
- High heat protective gloves.
- High heat head and face protection.
- Specialist foundry boots.
- Molten metal splash clothing.
- Respiratory protection.
MF Safety & Workwear supplies across the UK foundry, castings and forging sectors, providing information and guidance as well as the products to help companies protect staff with a service that can be trusted.
Contact MF Safety & Workwear, Tel: +44 (0)115 925 2261, email: [email protected]
web: www.mfsafety.co.uk