How Chemicals Found in a Foundry Can Affect the Body
Ensure The Safety of Foundry Workers Handling Hazardous Substances
When working in a foundry environment, operators are exposed to an array of hazardous chemicals. Chemicals, in this instance, include any hazardous substances, dangerous goods and combustible liquids that are encountered by handling, moving or storing within the workplace.
Safety Data Sheet
To ensure chemicals are managed and controlled in the safest possible manner, the compulsory element to be presented by manufacturers and importers is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). SDS is a regulation document that outlines in detail the properties of each hazardous chemical that can be found on a worksite, in addition to the effects that each chemical compound can have on an individual’s health and safety. The SDS holds the role of accelerating the risk assessment procedure by providing the most appropriate control measures when dealing with hazardous chemicals. It outlines in detail, the appearance, physical attributes, causation, and symptoms of chemicals which are encountered during the foundry process.
Chemicals in the Foundry
Industry-specific chemicals that are commonly found in a foundry workplace include:
◉ Amines
◉ Benzene
◉ Hexachloroethane
◉ Ammonia
◉ Epoxy Resins
◉ Formaldehyde
◉ Furfuryl Alcohol
◉ Isocyanates
◉ Mould Release Paints
◉ Protective Coatings
◉ Phenol
◉ Crystalline Silica
Health Effects of Foundry Chemicals
When working in close proximity to chemicals of such a dangerous and unpredictable nature, it is of vital importance to ensure a working environment that is safe as possible with minimal risk to workers. Hazardous chemicals can create health dangers in a workplace, for instance, in typical environment factors such as fire or explosion, in addition to short or long-term health effects on a person physically. Health effects in this scenario include; headaches, nausea, fatigue, chemical burns, allergic dermatitis, asthma, irritation in the respiratory tract and all harmful effects on an individual's central nervous system.
Specialising in protection specific to the hazardous chemicals encountered within the foundry industry, Elliotts provides a comprehensive range of Primary Protective Clothing. As world-class leaders in safety and protection, Elliotts provides clothing and accessories tailored to the unique work environments of the furnace and foundry. See our range of furnace clothing here.
CONTACT US
To learn more about which Foundry Protective Clothing and Gear are best for your workers, contact us at Elliotts Australia for more information – call us on 07 3265 2944 or message us on our Contact Page.
