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Injury Prevention Resources for Metal & Non Metallic Mineral Products - Foundries, Smelters, Metal Powders
The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the metal, non-metallic mineral products industries. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
The dangers of breathing silica dust 
This WorkSafe bulletin defines silica, silicosis, and how employers and workers can protect themselves from exposure to silica dust.
Source: WorkSafeBC 
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Controlling Silica Dust from Foundry Casting-Cleaning Operations
"In foundry operations, workers who clean small castings made from sand molds use various handheld chipping and grinding tools. If dust exposures are not adequately controlled, workers breathe in high concentrations of respirable silica."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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Chlorine: Its Safe Use in Foundries
"Chlorine is a very toxic gas and exposure to levels as low as 1 ppm for a few minutes can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation." This leaflet gives advice on current good practice.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
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Formaldehyde: Its Safe Use in Foundries
"Phenol formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde resins are used extensively in the hot box and warm box processes to produce cores and moulds. The resins are mixed with a catalyst and sand which when heated, hardens to form a mould or core." This leaflet gives advice on current good practice.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
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Foundry Machinery Guarding: Mould and Core-making Machinery
"This information sheet is one of four prepared by the Foundries Industry Advisory Committee's Working Group on foundry machinery guarding. It is intended that the four sheets be read together. Essential introductory information is given on sheet 2." Foundries Sheet 3.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
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Foundry Machinery Guarding: Sand Handling Equipment
"This Information Sheet is one of four prepared by the Foundries Industry Advisory Committee's Working Group on foundry machinery guarding. It should be read in conjunction with the essential introductory information on sheet 2." Foundries Sheet 4.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
* PDF (40 KB)
Foundry Machinery Guarding: Shakeouts, Sand Mixers and Shotblasts
"This information sheet is one of four prepared by the Foundries Industry Advisory Committee's Working Group on foundry machinery guarding. It should be read in conjunction with the essential introductory information on sheet 2." Foundries Sheet 5.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
* PDF (40 KB)
Furanes: Their Safe Use in Foundries
"Furanes (mainly furane resins) are used extensively in cold-set processes in combination with furfuryl alcohol and mineral acids to create bonding resins." This leaflet gives advice on current good practice.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
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Hazards Associated with Foundry Processes: Fettling -- Noise Hazards
This information sheet "deals only with noise hazards arising from fettling activities ... Fettling and dressing (or trimming) are the terms traditionally given to the finishing of castings to remove excess or unwanted metal, eg flashings, risers etc. It can include processes such as grinding, chipping and shot blasting".
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
* PDF (51 KB)
Hazards Associated with Foundry Processes: Hand-Arm Vibration -- Symptoms and Solutions
This information sheet deals with the effects of vibration, symptoms to look for, and what action to take if symptoms are suspected.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
* PDF (114 KB)
Hazards Associated with Foundry Processes: Hand-Arm Vibration -- the Current Picture
"Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a group of diseases caused by exposure of the hands to vibration. The best known of these is 'vibration white finger' (VWF) which is caused by the effects of vibration on the body's blood circulation."
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
* PDF (86 KB)
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