Q
I provide my staff with the correct personal
protective equipment (PPE) but at times they don’t
wear it when they should. They have all signed to say
they have received it and know to wear it. What more
can I do or should I do?”
A This
is a common question. Firstly, you have taken the correct
action by ensuring the correct PPE is provided and identified
when to wear it. You need to do some investigations
to find out why it is not being worn, is it suitable
for the working environment, comfortable to wear, compatible
with other workwear etc? Seeking the opinions of those
who wear it will help as will observation of the tasks.
Secondly, have you ensured that your employees understand
why they have to wear it and how to wear it? Telling
someone of the hazards of not wearing PPE, giving examples
of the consequences of not wearing can help. If you
are going to get your employees to sign for receipt
then this is a good opportunity to obtain proof that
they understand the use of the PPE.
Thirdly, if you have provided suitable PPE and employees
are properly instructed in its use then you must take
all reasonable steps to ensure it is properly used.
This means setting the example and enforcement. Managers
should set the example at all times and wear the correct
PPE and not condone employees who fail to wear PPE appropriately.
Ultimately you may need to take action to ensure that
employees do not put themselves and the business at
risk by not wearing PPE. If an employee consistently
chooses not to wear the appropriate PPE then you should
protect both the employee and the business by removing
him from the hazard!
Q
Can I show visitors around the foundry?
A Yes,
provided you have taken all steps to ensure their health
and safety. This means ensuring that they have adequate
information about the hazards and control measures,
that they are properly supervised and that they are
provided with the correct PPE.
The key is to keep the risks to their health and safety
as low as is reasonably practicable. Therefore, avoid
close contact with high risk activities such as pouring,
crossing vehicle routes, access to heights etc. Often
it is possible to show a visitor the foundry from a
safe position such as a control room, from a suitable
sited observation room or via CCTV.
Q
Do I need to provide head protection within the foundry?
A Head
protection is needed for three main reasons within the
foundry; falling object protection; collision/ bumping
and molten metal splash/ heat protection. For each task
you will need to identify what the particular hazards
are and what head protection will be required. Again
the principles of suitable for the task and environment
stand, for instance the some PPE may not be suitable
for molten metal splash or heat.
Q
What are the changes with silica exposure levels?
A Respireable
silica is common within sand foundries particularly
within the sand plant/ mould making area and fettling
and shakeout areas. For many years it has had a maximum
exposure limit (0.3mg/m3 8hr time weighted average)
as there is evidence that it causes silicosis.
New evidence shows that there is a much higher risk
of lung damage than previously thought and that exposures
to high levels of respireable silica significantly increases
the chance of lung cancer.
In 2003 HSE issued an warning of this and advice that
it now considered that levels of 0.1mg/m3 8hr time weighted
average should be sought. See www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/chan35.htm
Fortunately most foundries have been achieving exposure
levels of below 0.1mg/m3 for several years. However,
you should review your exposure monitoring records to
ensure you are below the level, including during activities
such as maintenance and cleaning.
HSE has issued a series of guidance notes in the COSHH
Essentials series aimed at providing advice on what
is practicable to do within the foundry (www.coshh-essentials.org.uk).
Q
I have heard that fine metal mesh is available as
an alternative to “perspex” faceshields,
what do you know about it?
A It
is NOT suitable for protection against molten
metal splash, when molten metal hits the mesh it does
not stop penetration to the face area.
Q
What hazards should I be concentrating on within
the foundry?
A Numerically
the biggest cause of accidents with the foundry are
musculo-skeletal injury, slips/trips/falls and molten
metal burns. So far as ill health hand/arm vibration,
noise and silica result in the greatest number of reports.
However, frequency is not the only criteria to assess
priorities, you should also consider severity. For instance
falling from height and being injured by workplace transport
result in fatal or major injury. Therefore, following
the HSE priority topics of slips/trips; workplace transport;
falls from height; musculo-skeletal injury and occupational
stress with the foundry specific issues of molten metal
burns, HAV, noise and silica form a good place to start.
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