Introduction
This information is for anybody, including directors, managers and safety representatives, involved in the selection, provision and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in foundries. It outlines the requirements for ensuring that suitable protective clothing is provided for and worn by people who may be exposed to molten metals.
What you need to know…
Molten metal incidents can cause great suffering, sometimes resulting in permanent disability or death.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to provide suitable protective clothing and equipment for their employees when they are exposed to a risk, such as molten metal, which cannot be completely controlled by other more effective means.
In premises such as foundries and steelworks where molten metal is present, the risk of injury depends upon many factors. Suitable protective clothing and equipment may have to be provided as part of the overall control measures to prevent exposure to molten metal.
What you need to do…
The main steps for using protective clothing successfully as part of risk control are:
- Risk assessment[1]
- Selecting the correct clothing[2]
- Care and maintenance of clothing[3]
- Training and supervision[4]
Further information…
- Levels of risk for work with molten metals[5]
- Molten metal protective clothing selection examples[6]