Foundries (Ferrous and Non-ferrous) — Castings and forgings including cleaning or smoothening/roughening by sand and shot blasting
A hazardous process listed in the First Schedule to the Factories Act 1948 (s.2(cb)).
Typical industries: Iron/steel and non-ferrous foundries, forging shops, fettling and shot-blasting bays.
Principal hazards
- Crystalline silica (respirable) from sand moulds and fettling
- Metal fume (iron, lead, zinc) and CO
- Molten metal splash and heat
- Vibration (grinding/chipping)
- Noise; isocyanate/phenolic binder fumes
Health effects
Silicosis and progressive massive fibrosis, metal-fume fever, hand-arm vibration syndrome, noise-induced hearing loss, burns, occupational asthma from binders.
Key engineering controls
Enclosed/automated shot-blast cabinets and LEV at knock-out, fettling and grinding; substitute silica sand where possible; wet suppression; mechanised pouring; vibration-damped tools; respirable-dust monitoring.
PPE
- FFP3 or air-fed respirators for silica
- Anti-vibration gloves
- Hearing protection
- Heat-resistant aprons/gauntlets for pouring
- Face shields/goggles
- Safety boots
This page is a statutory / occupational-health reference for factory Occupational Health Centres. It is not medical or legal advice. Verify against the current bare Act, Rules and your State amendments before acting.