Don’t miss: Foundry Safety Part 1: Noise Control
Foundry Safety Part 2: Dust Control
When it comes to heat in the foundry, a myriad of issues may arise. In the last segment, we discussed how heat can disperse silica dust into the air, but how does heat affect the human body?
Health Hazards
Internal
Health hazards for heat are both internal and external. Internal body temperature stressors include:
- Heat rash- a rash on the skin in which infections may occur.
- Heat Cramps- muscle spasms that can be painful.
- Fainting- a collapse caused by pooling blood.
- Heat exhaustion- fatigue accompanied by excessive sweating, nausea, headache, flushed skin, and other side effects.
- Heat Stroke- mental confusion accompanied by an irregular heartbeat, skin discoloration, convulsions, and other side effects.
Treatments for internal heat issues range from lying down and drinking fluids to emergency medical attention. Knowing how to react when a co-worker is suffering from a heat-related emergency is essential, so have a plan in place. Those suffering from heat-related illness are not always aware that it is happening. Keep an eye out for mental confusion or irregular activities.
External
External heat hazards appear in the foundry environment when castings are improperly handled, resulting in burns and blistering. Due to blast temperature limits, the industry standard for casting temperature and personal exposure is 180°F (80°C). If these limits are met or exceeded without the presence of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), burns will result.
Different levels of burns to be aware of:
- A first-degree burn – the skin will be red and sore.
- Second-degree burn – the skin will be blistered and feel thick.
- Third-degree burn – the skin will appear white and leathery.
Treatment for burns ranges from ointment to emergency medical care. Ensure you are familiar with your company’s protocol for each type of burn, allowing you to respond promptly.
Exposure limits
As mentioned above, the industry standard for casting temperature and personal exposure is 180°F (80°C). The lines become a bit blurry when it comes to an environmental working limit for heat. Most agencies do not give a specific temperature due to the varying factors of working conditions. Heat can emanate from castings, creating an oppressive environment, but environmental factors such as humidity and stagnant air can also contribute to this.
When a worker’s body temperature reaches 100°F (38°C), working conditions are not safe. Work becomes strenuous, and measures must be taken to increase cooling airflow and reduce heat.
Ways to limit heat exposure
PPE- Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves or air-conditioned suits can protect workers from burns and heat exhaustion.
Relocation- Relocating an operator away from the heat source is a great way to protect workers. However, depending on the type of work, it is not always a viable option.
Rotations- Rotating operators to limit individual exposure to heat is a great way to reduce exposure.
Air Draft- Improving airflow to cool operators is another way to provide a better environment.
Conditioned Rooms- Having a room to cool off in is not only a good idea to keep body temperatures low regularly but also great to have on hand when a worker suffers from a heat-related illness.
Cooler Castings- Improve your foundry process by ensuring castings are cooler before reaching the operators. This can completely eliminate the risk of burns.
General Kinematics has been dedicated to worker safety from day one. The VIBRA-DRUM® Sand Casting Conditioner is a triple threat, virtually eliminating exposure to silica dust, reducing noise with its fully enclosed design, and cooling castings before they come into contact with operators.
For further questions on how to make your foundry a safer workplace, please contact me.
