Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 18

and casting operations wear secondary protective clothing that extends to the wrist and ankle. Each facility must determine the area in which workers are considered exposed. One company has defined “exposed” as being with 25 feet of furnaces, open troughs, casting pits, pigging wheels or conveyors, and similar operations involving molten metal. During periods of greatest exposure, primary protective clothing and equipment is recommended. Where possible, exposure should be reduced or eliminated by adequately designed shields that protect against frontal, side, and overhead exposures. PROOF FOR PURCHASE Employers should take a “show me” attitude with their suppliers when selecting personal protective equipment to protect workers. Many employers have learned too late that there is no universal protective device. Face shields, gloves, hats, jackets, pants, etc., that provide adequate protection against one substance or exposure may not provide that same degree of protection against another substance or exposure. For example, molten aluminum sticks to some fabrics but not to others; and some types of aluminized fabrics ignite when splashed with molten aluminum but others do not. Simple molten metal splash tests can be conducted to determine the effect of the molten metal on the protective fabrics being considered. Testing many different fabrics will allow the most effective ones to be selected for a specific operation. A final note on personal protective equipment. Wearing multiple layers of protective clothing, some of it heavy, in the vicinity of heat sources can contribute to the potential for a worker to experience heat stress. Employers and workers must be aware of this potential. Proper evaluation of each exposure, careful selection of protective equipment, and training employees to recognize heat stress can drastically reduce the potential for serious illness. Sometimes, work practices and procedures can be modified to reduce the length of time a worker is required to wear primary protective equipment. Other possibilities include changes in work schedules, more frequent rest breaks, and providing of cooling rooms. “Safety and protecting your employees are most important as they are a top asset of any operation.” OTHER PRECAUTIONS Normally, respiratory protection is not necessary in aluminum cast houses or foundries. Occasionally, however, there may be a leak of chlorine gas used in degassing molten metal. Where the chlorine concentration is less than 5 ppm an air purifying respirator equipped with the appropriate cartridges or canister may be used. In situations where exposures exceed this level, or where repairs are being made and the concentrations are unknown, employees should be provided with a full-face piece, self-contained breathing apparatus operating in the pressure demand mode. Each employee who would be required to wear a respirator must be trained to understand the proper fit, use, and care of the respirator (see OSHA Standard 29CFR 1910.134). In addition, all emergency use respirators (3.g., SCBAs) must be inspected monthly and adequate records kept of the results. More generally, all visitors entering the plant work areas should be required to wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the exposure they will experience. The plant should maintain an adequate supply of personal protective equipment for loan to visitors. Contact: JEFF ZURFACE [email protected] 34