General Safety for
Foundries
Safety
is YOUR Responsibility!
The methods and materials involved in any form of metal casting operation are
VERY hazardous. Educate yourself on the proper safety precautions before
attempting any metal casting.
Things to keep in mind....
- Even trace amounts of MOISTURE and MOLTEN METAL don't mix!!!
Steam explosions are the #1 cause of death in foundries.
- Wear safety gear!! This includes, but is not limited to, leather
shoes, leather apron, proper gloves, wire mesh face shield, safety glasses
and a hat. A leather foundry hat is the best choice. These hats look
like a sailors hat, with the brim turned down to cover your ears. Even
wearing a baseball hat with the brim towards the back will help prevent
metal from getting down your back. Don't laugh, ever had a weld
splatter get into your shirt? Imagine what a tablespoon of molten
metal would do!
- Have a DRY pile of sand and a shovel ready to put out fires or to control
metal spills.
- NEVER put water on a metal fire. This can cause a HUGH EXPLOSION!!!.
- Have a sand bed under all areas. The sand bed should be at least 3
inches thick. This will help in containing metal spills and will help
protect flooring.
- Never pour over wet ground. Remember, even TRACE AMOUNTS of MOISTURE
can cause EXPLOSIONS.
- Molten metal spilled on concrete will cause the concrete to explode.
Use a thick sand bed over concrete.
- Always use clean metal as feedstock. Combustion residues from some
lubricants and paints can be very toxic.
- Always operate in a well ventilated area. Fumes and dusts from combustion
and other foundry chemicals, processes and metals can be toxic.
- Always use a NIOSH rated dusk mask. Dusts from sand, parting dusts
and chemicals can be hazardous or cancer causing. Protect your lungs!
- Always use safety glasses. Even minor mishaps can cause blindness.
- Never use a crucible that has been damaged or dropped. It's just not
worth the risk. Imagine what would happen if a white hot crucible of
brass crumbled as you were carrying it!
- Always charge crucibles when cold. Adding metal to a hot crucible is
really dangerous. If there is moisture on the metal, even just a haze,
the metal can cause the entire contents of the crucible to explode.
- Spilled molten metal can travel for a great distance. Operate in a
clear work area.
- Think about what you are doing at all times. Focus on the job at
hand and the next step. Have all moves planned and rehearsed
prior to any operation.
- Educate yourself beforehand and always be careful of your own and
bystander safety.
Where To?
Copyright © 2002 Budget Casting Supply LLC. All rights
reserved.
Revised: December 19, 2006