Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 18

Continued on next page How To Protect Personnel in Melting Operations W earing the proper protective apparel and equipment when working near molten aluminum is extremely important in preventing injury to production workers. It could mean the difference between life and serious injury/or death. Millions of pounds of aluminum are melted and cast correctly and safely every day tin cast shops, foundries, and secondary processing plants across the country. However, there are inherent dangers in handling molten metal that can be minimized…”Failure to employ proper handling practices can be hazardous.” JEFF ZURFACE Aluminum Market Specialist THE SCHAEFER GROUP ARTICLE TAKEAWAYS: • Keeping personnel safe when handling molten aluminum • Selection of proper PPE • Establishing a safety program This excerpt from Guideline for Handling Molten Aluminum , published by the Aluminum Association Inc., underscores the important role of special clothing, equipment, and procedures in assuring the safety of people who work with or around molten aluminum. Acceptable practice in safety is to eliminate or control processes and operations that might present a foreseeable risk of harm to personnel. Operations necessary to the production of aluminum and aluminum castings, however, involve heat sources and there is an ever-present danger that a worker may be splashed by molten metal. Since it is impossible to remove all sources of ignition from the work place, reasonable practices that can significantly reduce the risk of serious burns to workers should be followed. Where possible, workers should be protected by suitable shields or be positioned far enough from the molten metal or other ignition sources to prevent contact. In instances where this engineering approach is not technologically feasible, the employer should ensure that workers wear clothing that resists ignition and use other personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the exposure. EQUIPMENT SELECTION The selection of appropriate PPE requires that close attention be paid to several factors. • An analysis of the type of hazard and the degree of exposure. • Consideration of any mandatory standards or guidelines issued by regulatory agencies (Federal or State OSHA, MSHA, etc.) or advisory standards groups (ANSI, ASTM, NEPA, ACGIH, etc.). • Consideration for employee comfort and health. 31 HOW TO ISSUE