Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 18

The safety hats must meet the specifications of American National Standard (ANS) Z89.1, Requirements for Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers . All personnel working around molten aluminum should wear a head covering. Industrial safety hats are required where an overhead hazard exists. Where an overhead hazard does not exist, a hat, cap or other head covering of flame- retardant material should be worn. Eye/Face Protection — Due to the possibility of splash, personnel working with molten aluminum must wear eye and face protection. Industrial safety glasses with side shields should be considered minimum protection against molten metal splash. During periods of greatest exposure, such as charging, • An evaluation of the types of PPE available that will effectively protect the work. The responsible safety manager or supervisor must weigh a great many factors when advising workers who are exposed to molten metal and other ignition sources about protective clothing. These include flammability, heat transfer, melting point of the fabric material, sticking of substances to the fabric material, durability (life of the garment), retention of the desirable protective properties of the material, ability to withstand laundering or cleaning, toxicity of any treatment, wearability, comfort, worker acceptance, aesthetics, and costs. Even the design and construction of the garment can contribute to the severity of an injury or the degree of protection. ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM Several steps should be taken when developing and implementing a PPE program to protect workers against job hazards in the cast shop. • Define the areas and/or operations where protective equipment must be worn. • Determine the type of PPE suitable for the various exposures. • Establish procedures for issuing and replacing damaged or defective equipment. • Establish procedures for cleaning, maintain an adequate inventory of the proper equipment. • Amend the program as necessary to accommodate changes in operation, the hazards or the exposure. Head Protection — For hazards of impact, penetration from falling or flying objects, and electrical shock, suitable safety hats must be worn. 32