Gases, vapours, dust and fumes
Gases and vapours
Dust and fumes
Gases and vapours
Numerous gases and vapours can be found in foundries including ammonia, chlorine, nitrogen, toluene and formaldehyde.
Exposure to such gases and vapours can result in various adverse health effects, such as respiratory irritation, asthma and watery eyes.
Workers in all areas of a foundry need to be adequately protected.
To find out more about protection options, check control measures for airborne contaminants section of the Foundry Industry Code of Practice 2004.
Dust and fumes
Foundry operations create dusty conditions exposing workers to various health effects.
Chronic diseases (such as silicosis, lung or nasal cancer) are linked to exposure to silica or fumes in a foundry.
High airborne concentrations of wood dusts can also contribute to an explosion.
Examples of ways to reduce the risks from airborne contaminants include:
- using wet or vacuum methods, or brushes to remove loose dust or sand rather than compressed air
- enclosing major emission points, such as conveyor belt transfer areas
- installing high-energy scrubbers and bag houses
- using canopy hoods or other special hoods near the furnace doors to capture contaminants and re-route them through an emission control system
- continuous monitoring of carbon monoxide levels in the work area to ensure airborne contaminants are within the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES)
- providing respiratory protection appropriate to the contaminant
To find out more about how to reduce workers' exposure to airborne contaminants, check control measures section of the Foundry Industry Code of Practice 2004.
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